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Arrested for Driving with Indian License
Anonymous4 views5 answers
I was arrested in October for driving with Indian license. The offense was cited as driving without a valid license, though I had a valid Indian license at the time, and the rental car agency accepts this license to rent cars to foreign nationals- also a paragraph in DDS booklet for new drivers states the following as an exception for driving with Georgia License
"Non residents with a valid out of state or foreign license where the license is in English"
In addition, I also had a valid Georgia Learner's permit though the person seated next to me did not have his license with him. I was released on bail after I plead not guilty and I have not yet received any court date for trial. What step should I take next? Where should I get the court records? I have since obtained a GA license
If you bring your valid Ga license and your Indian license with you to court you may be able to talk to the prosecutor and get him/her to dismiss the ticket. If you are unsuccessful I would recommend you hire an attorney to help you.
Be sure to bring both your Indian license, and your Georgia learner's permit to court with you and speak with the prosecutor. They will most likely work with you to reduce, or dismiss, the charges. If you are scheduled to appear in the Municipal Court of Atlanta they will most likely offer you their PTIT program where the charges are dismissed once you pay a fine. Since you were arrested this approach could be very beneficial in getting the charges expunged from your criminal history.
George Chadwell Creal Jr.DUI / DWI AttorneyAtlanta, GA ·
The answer to your question depends on the County or City where you were ticketed. As the other attorneys mentioned bring both your Georgia permit and your Indian license with you to court and see about getting the case dismissed or approved for a pre-trial diversion program. You will always do better hiring a lawyer to assist you in court.
I would advise you to bring both your Indian Drivers License and your Georgia Learners Permit and your new Georgia Drivers License to Court when you receive your arraignment notice. Additionally, you should also take your copy of the Georgia DDS booklet with the listed exception for foreign licenses printed in English. Finally, I would use the power of the internet and print a copy of the Georgia statute the DDS booklet cites for the exception for foreign licenses. The prosecutor may be reasonable and dismiss or reduce the charge against you. If this fails, you should retain a competent and experienced Defense Attorney that is familiar with the court that will be hearing the charge against you. I hope this information helps you, Good Luck!!
One thing the other lawyers here may have missed: to get a Georgia license or learners permit you are supposed to not have any other license. So you may have violated the law in continuing to use that Indian license.
Having said that, in some courts, the solicitor, if you show them the Indian Drivers License and your Georgia Learners Permit and your new Georgia Drivers License to court and show those to him at arraignment might be willing to drop the charges (or reduce it to no license in possession which is not reportable and carries a nominal fine). If not, since the penalty for driving without a license can include suspension of a license, you may at that point find it advisable to plead not guilty and obtain legal representation.
