So you were unable to provide proof of insurance to a police officer. What kind of fine can you expect? How much is a ticket for no proof of insurance? Are there any other penalties – like points – for getting caught driving without proof of insurance? Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about getting a ticket with no proof of insurance.
Understandably, the fine for driving without proof of insurance varies between counties and states. However, there are certain average prices you can expect to pay across the country. Driving without proof of insurance is one thing (i.e. you left your insurance card at home), but driving without actual insurance coverage is completely different (and more serious).
If no proof of insurance is shown, for example, but you’re able to provide proof of insurance within 14 to 30 days, then you’ll pay a fine of approximately $25. This fine assumes that you’re able to provide, within a short period of time, proof that you were insured on the date you were pulled over – even if you did not have the proof of insurance document with you at that time.
Alternatively, some drivers are unable to produce proof of insurance when they’re pulled over but are able to obtain insurance within the near future. Assuming you were uninsured at the time you were pulled over and got insured later, you can expect to pay a fine of around $150 to $200.
Finally, there’s the most extreme penalty. If you’re unable to provide proof of insurance when you’re pulled over and do not provide proof of insurance at any point in the future, then you can expect to pay a fine of around $225 to $2000.
Double-check with your DMV to confirm that the following fines and fees are accurate.
| State | Driving Without Insurance Penalty |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $500 first offense $1000 second offense |
| Alaska | $500 each offense |
| Arizona | $500 first offense $750 second offense $1000 each subsequent offense |
| Arkansas | $50-250 first offense $250-500 second offense $500-1000 subsequent offenses |
| California | $100-200 first offense $200-500 each subsequent offense |
| Colorado | $500 first offense $1000 second offense $1000+ each subsequent offense |
| Connecticut | $35 first offense $50 each subsequent offense |
| Delaware | $1500-$2000 first offense $3000-$4000 each subsequent offense |
| Florida | $150 first offense $250 second offense $500 subsequent offenses |
| Georgia | $85 first offense $85 second offense $185 each subsequent offense |
| Hawaii | $500 first offense $1,500-$5,000 second offense |
| Idaho | $75 first offense Up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses |
| Illinois | $500 first offense $1000 each subsequent offense |
| Indiana | $250 first offense $500 second offense $1,000 each subsequent offense |
| Iowa | $250 each offense |
| Kansas | $300-$1,000 first offense $800-$2,500 each subsequent offense |
| Kentucky | $1,000 each offense |
| Louisiana | $500-$1,000 each offense |
| Maine | $100-$500 each offense |
| Maryland | $1,000 first offense $2,000 each subsequent offense |
| Massachusetts | $500-$1,000 first offense $500-$5,000 each subsequent offense |
| Michigan | $400 each offense |
| Minnesota | $200-$1,000 first+second offense $300-$3,000 each subsequent offense |
| Mississippi | $500 each offense |
| Missouri | $500 each offense |
| Montana | $250 first offense $350 second offense $500 each subsequent offense |
| Nebraska | $50 each offense |
| Nevada | $250-$1,000 each offense |
| New Hampshire | Insurance not required |
| New Jersey | $300-$1,000 first offense $500-$5,000 each subsequent offense |
| New Mexico | Up to $300 each offense |
| New York | $150-$1,500 each offense |
| North Carolina | $100 first offense $150 second offense $200 each subsequent offense |
| North Dakota | $150-$1,000 first offense $300-$5,000 each subsequent offense |
| Ohio | $160-$660 each offense |
| Oklahoma | $250 each offense |
| Oregon | $130-$1000 each offense |
| Pennsylvania | $300 each offense |
| Rhode Island | $150-$500 first offense $500 second offense $1,000 each subsequent offense |
| South Carolina | $100-$550 each offense |
| South Dakota | $100-500 each offense |
| Tennessee | $25-$300 each offense |
| Texas | $175-350 first offense $350-$1,000 subsequent offenses |
| Utah | $400 first offense $1,000 second offense |
| Vermont | $0-500 each offense |
| Virginia | $500 each offense |
| Washington | $450-$1,000 each offense |
| West Virginia | $200-$5,000 each offense |
| Wisconsin | $510 each offense |
| Wyoming | $250-$750 first offense $500-$1,500 each subsequent offense |
You may think: a $25 to $350 fine isn’t that bad for failing to provide proof of insurance – especially considering most drivers pay about $80 to $150 per month for car insurance anyway.
Unfortunately, the fines listed above aren’t the only penalties for failing to produce proof of insurance.
You might face county and state surcharges, for example, that total over $1,000 in fines, points, and other penalties. These penalties are more common – and more severe – if this is your second, third, or fourth time caught driving without proof of insurance.
Your car might also be seized. If you don’t have proof of insurance, and your vehicle isn’t insured, then you’re not legally able to drive on the road. The police officer may seize your vehicle. In this case, your car will be impounded. It will be towed to an impound lot. You’ll need to pay the towing fee – anywhere from $100 to $300. You’ll also need to pay an impound fee of $30 to $60 per day. You’ll only be able to get your vehicle when you provide proof of insurance. At this point, all fees may be assessed a 10% tax on top of what you already owe.
If you’re caught driving without proof of insurance for the first time, then you can expect to pay $100 to $300 in fines.
However, if you’re caught driving without proof of insurance a second time, then your fine can be anywhere from $900 to $2500. This doesn’t include the extra expenses listed above – like the county and state fees, towing fees, and impound lot charges.
If you’re reading this article, then you may be wondering: is it really worth it to have car insurance? Why am I paying hundreds or thousands of dollars per year for something I never use? Is it in my best financial interests to just pay a fine every few years?
I’ll leave that up to you to decide. In most states, it’s illegal to drive without at least minimum liability insurance.
However, since fines aren’t steep, some drivers decide it’s in their best interest to avoid getting insurance. In fact, statistics show that approximately 1 in 7 American drivers do not have car insurance. That means out of every 7 cars around you on the road, 1 will have no insurance whatsoever. If you get into an accident with that vehicle, even if the other driver was totally at fault, you have limited recourse (unless you have uninsured or underinsured driver insurance).
Additionally, some states allow you to carry “alternative” types of car insurance. In California, for example, you can provide proof of assets in lieu of car insurance. If you have more than, say, $35,000 in cash deposited with a special county office, then you may be able to avoid getting insurance. For average drivers, this isn’t an option. However, it’s an option for high-net-worth individuals.
If you’re caught driving without proof of insurance, then you’re going to pay a costly fine. If you legitimately have insurance and just forgot to bring proof, then your fine may only be $25. However, if you don’t have any insurance whatsoever, then you might face thousands of dollars in fines, penalties, towing charges, and impound charges. Your best option is to drive with proof of insurance at all times.
James Shaffer James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and his work has been quoted by NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post.
