Sec. 1. (a) An individual, except an individual exempted under IC 9-24-1-7, who knowingly or intentionally operates a motor vehicle upon a highway and has never received a valid driver’s license commits a Class C misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the individual has a prior unrelated conviction under this section.

     (b) In a prosecution under this section, the burden is on the defendant to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant:

Attorney's Note

Under the Indiana Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class A misdemeanorup to 1 yearup to $5,000
Class C misdemeanorup to 60 daysup to $500
For details, see Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 and Ind. Code § 35-50-3-4

Terms Used In Indiana Code 9-24-18-1

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Highway: includes county bridges and state and county roads, unless otherwise expressly provided. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
(1) had been issued a driver’s license or permit that was valid; or

(2) was operating a motor driven cycle;

at the time of the alleged offense. However, it is not a defense under subdivision (2) if the defendant was operating the motor driven cycle in violation of IC 9-21-11-12.

[Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-1-4-26.5.]

As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.100-2010, SEC.3; P.L.125-2012, SEC.235; P.L.85-2013, SEC.62; P.L.217-2014, SEC.92; P.L.221-2014, SEC.71; P.L.198-2016, SEC.527; P.L.111-2021, SEC.77.