NVDL, or no valid driver's license, is a criminal traffic offense in the State of Florida. It is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 60 days in jail.
You can be charged with this crime if you are pulled over while driving a car in the State of Florida without a valid driver's license. This is a different charge from driving while license suspended (DWLS), because NVDL does not require proof that your license is suspended. It only requires proof that you do not possess a valid driver's license.
However, you cannot be charged with NVDL under the following circumstances:
1) You are an employee of the United States Government and are operating a noncommercial motor vehicle owned by or leased to the United States Government and being operated on official business.
2) You are driving or operating any road machine, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry temporarily operated or moved on a highway.
3) You are a nonresident who is at least 16 years of age and who has in his or her immediate possession a valid noncommercial driver's license issued to the nonresident in his or her home state or country, may operate a motor vehicle of the type for which a Class E driver's license is required in this state.
4) A nonresident who is at least 18 years of age and who has in his or her immediate possession a valid noncommercial driver's license issued to the nonresident in his or her home state or country may operate a motor vehicle, other than a commercial motor vehicle, in this state.
5) You are a person operating a golf cart.
Many of these provisions will not apply to your case. However, if you are visiting Florida from another state or country, and you possess a good driver's license in that state or country and have that license in your possession, you cannot be charged with NVDL. You can only be charged with NVDL if you are a Florida resident and drive without a Florida driver's license.