What is the difference between Unlincensed Operator and Driving with a Suspended or No License? In NYC?

[nickson]

I am a UK citizen with a UK driving License.
By International Law by UK license is valid in the USA for 1 year from my arrival date.
I was rear ended in an accident - (NOT MY FAULT and the insurer paid 100%)
BUT the cop asked for my license at the time of accident.
By accident it seemed that i forgot my license at home, - (i thought this was okay as in the UK you are allowed to drive the car as long as you have a license it can be in the drawer at home but you need to have one {they can make you produce it to a police station showing that it was valid at the time you were pulled over known as a 'Producer'} so i didnt think it was an issue)
Turns out you are not allowed to drive without having your license on you
Cop told me shes giving me a ticket for Unlicensed Operator (unlicensed gt 60 days says on my hearing letter) but if i present my license to judge they will dismiss the case?
I did some reasearch and found some thing called Aggrevated Unlicensed Operation (AUO) which you can be arrested for as you are driving without a license and involved Criminal Court
What is the difference and should i plead guilty to Unlicensed GT 60 Days?
Can i get a ticket even if my license was vaild but i left it at home?

Thanks

Samuel

[montrel68]

Unlicensed Operator is when you are not licensed to operate that vehicle, either you never had a license, it's expired or the vehicle you are driving requires an endorsement in which you don't have. Driving while suspended or Driving without privileges means you had a license but it was suspended by the courts for DUI or other offense that can suspend your license. You should just take your valid license to the court and it could be reduced or in my state there is a reduced fine associated with not having your license on you. I can run a person by name, DOB and or SSN and find a license and just write them a ticket for not having it, but if you have a UK license I wouldn't be able to find you in the DMV system and therefore would write the citation you received and you'd have to settle it with the courts. Hope this helps

[shen86]

no license & unlicensed are the same.

Suspended is worse; it was taken from you.