What does "driving without a valid license" refer to?

"Driving without a valid license" specifically refers to the act of operating a vehicle without holding a legally recognized driver's license that is valid for the specific jurisdiction's requirements. This means that the individual does not possess a license that has been issued by a governmental authority or the license has been suspended or revoked, making it not legally usable for driving.

In contrast, an expired learner's permit, a temporary license, or a valid license from another state may still represent some form of licensing, but they do not meet the criteria for being legally recognized under the circumstances defined by the law of the particular jurisdiction. Each of these alternatives may carry certain privileges or restrictions, but they fall short of being a completely valid driver's license as required for lawful operation of a vehicle. Hence, the essential element for understanding the term is that the individual must lack a legal right or permission to drive as per local laws.