Penalties for Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance
Before state motor vehicle departments allow you to get a driver's license for the first time or renew an existing license, they usually require you to show proof of liability for bodily injury and property damage insurance. If you don't provide this proof to motor vehicle departments or you're found guilty of driving without insurance by a police officer, you incur fines and penalties. You could also receive an order from the state to appear in court.
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License Suspension
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If you're caught operating a motor vehicle without insurance in most states, including Delaware, New Jersey, Nevada and Maine, your driver's license is suspended. For example, Delaware suspends your license for six months if you're pulled over by a police officer and are unable to provide proof of motor vehicle insurance. At the end of the suspension period, you're required to pay a fee to get your license reinstated.
Fines
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Depending on the number of times that you were found guilty of driving without motor vehicle insurance, you could receive fines that range from $500 to more than $3,000, as of February 2011. A first offense typically results in a lower fine, while a second or third offense results in heftier fines. You could also receive a notice from your state's department of motor vehicles to surrender or return your license plate to a motor vehicle office. If you voluntarily cancel your auto insurance, you're required to return your license plate to the motor vehicle office.
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Court Fees
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If you're involved in a traffic accident or are ordered to appear in court because you were driving without auto insurance, you're responsible for paying your own court fees. If you hire an attorney, you must also pay your attorney's fees.
Jail
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State courts charge you with committing a misdemeanor if you're found guilty of driving without auto insurance. This charge could cause you to serve one to 12 months in jail, depending on the guidelines in the state in which you live. Before you're allowed to drive again, the state could require you to submit an SR-22 Form, which is a proof of insurance certificate. You get the form from your insurance agent and submit it to your state department of motor vehicles for three to five years, depending on the guidelines in the state in which you live.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
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You're responsible for paying expenses related to medical and property damages that you cause during an accident if you drive without motor vehicle insurance. If an accident you're involved in causes extensive damages, you could end up paying thousands of dollars to repair the other driver's vehicle and for those passengers to receive medical treatment. Of course, you also have to pay to have your own vehicle repaired, or for a new or used vehicle if your car or truck is totaled in an accident.
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References
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