What is the penalty for driving without a valid license?

In North Carolina, the penalty for driving without a valid license typically includes a fine, which can certainly be up to $250. This reflects the state's approach to ensure that all drivers hold valid licenses as a means of promoting road safety and accountability. While other consequences might apply in various situations, such as community service or vehicle impoundment, these are not universally enforced as part of the base penalty for driving without a valid license.

Understanding the context is crucial; fines serve as a common deterrent in traffic violations. Community service and vehicle impoundment may be additional measures taken in specific scenarios or repeated offenses but are not the standard penalty for the infraction in question. Therefore, the focus is on the fine aspect, which is a direct and clear consequence for this violation under state law.