VC 14601 misdemeanor
Clearing a driving on a suspended licence conviction
This is the charge most likely to be the wrong thing to fix. The conviction clears; the licence problem that caused it does not, and the second one is usually what is actually in the way.
What makes this charge different
- As a Vehicle Code offence it falls in the discretionary part of PC 1203.4
- The dismissal has no effect on the underlying suspension, which is a DMV matter
- These convictions often come in clusters, which can mean several petitions rather than one
- San Diego County's Public Defender publishes guidance that driving-related cases need additional paperwork beyond the standard petition
What this charge is
Vehicle Code 14601 covers driving while your privilege is suspended or revoked, when you knew about it. The subsections vary by why the licence was suspended, and a suspension for DUI is treated more severely.
Felony or misdemeanour?
It is a misdemeanour.
Which relief applies
A dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4 after probation, or 1203.4a where no probation was granted. Being a Vehicle Code offence, relief is discretionary.
The thing to watch out for
What problem you are actually solving. Clearing the conviction helps with employment background checks. It does not reinstate your licence, does not shorten a suspension, and does not remove anything from your DMV record. If you cannot legally drive today, this petition will not change that, and the first thing worth doing is finding out what the DMV needs.
The law that applies
- Expungement (PC 1203.4) — The court lets you withdraw your plea or sets aside the verdict, then dismisses the case, which releases you from most of the penalties of the conviction.
- Dismissal without probation (PC 1203.4a) — It gives the same dismissal as section 1203.4, for misdemeanour and infraction convictions where the court never granted probation.
Our flat fee for a case like this is $599, all in, with the court filing fee included. What that covers.
Common questions
Will this give me my licence back?
No. Licence reinstatement is a DMV process with its own requirements. We will tell you that rather than selling you a petition that does not address it.
I have three of these. Is that a problem?
Not a bar, but it is three petitions. They are $199 each after the first, and we would want to look at them together.
Legal information on this page was last checked against primary sources in October 2026. California law changes; if you are reading this long after that date, confirm before you rely on it.