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In New York City, it is required by law that all registered vehicles be covered by insurance. In fact, if your vehicle is not properly insured, it will be unable to be registered with the state in the first place.
So what happens if you are caught driving without a license in New York state? This guide will answer all the questions you may have, and show you exactly what to do if ever you find yourself in that situation.
New York Laws on Driving Without Insurance
According to article 6 of the Motor Vehicle Financial Security Act, all motor vehicles must be insured in New York. This applies to any motorized vehicle which utilizes “any power other than muscular power,” with some exceptions including electric wheelchairs.
This law was put in place due to a rise in motor accidents where the victims of the act were not receiving due financial compensation because of the driver’s financial inability to cover the damage caused. Requiring liability insurance ensures the victims will be quickly and correctly reimbursed for possible hospital or funeral costs.
Insurance is a necessary step in the process of registering your vehicle in the state of New York which serves as “proof of financial security.” This just means that by having insurance, you are proving to the state that if you cause a car or motor vehicle accident, you have a financial plan set up to compensate for damage caused.
What Kind of Insurance Do I Need When Driving in New York?
For your car to be properly registered with the state, the insurance must have been “obtained from a company licensed by the NYS Department of Financial Services and authorized by DMV.” This means that out-of-state insurance is not accepted by the DMV and will be rejected.
The information on your license and insurance must be identical as well. It has to be electronically filed to the DMV by the company in addition to the physical insurance card in order to be properly recognized.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance
Driving Without Your Insurance Papers
It is imperative that you always have your insurance papers with you at all times in case you are stopped by an officer for an insurance check. If you are stopped and do not have your insurance papers on you, even if the vehicle is properly registered, you will still receive a fine for lack of insurance. This you can contest in court if you provide evidence of insurance.
Fines and Prison Time for Driving Without Insurance
If you are caught driving a vehicle which is not covered by insurance, you will be subject to a traffic infraction. Once you are convicted, you could be fined from anywhere between $150 to over a thousand dollars, and you could face up to 15 days in prison. You will also face fines payable to the department of the civil penalty.
What Happens to My License if I am Caught Driving Without Insurance?
According to the official New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, if you are are caught speeding or are involved in a car crash and do not have insurance, your license will be revoked for at least a year. It costs $750 to the DMV in order to get your license back in addition to the traffic court fine discussed earlier.
What If My Insurance is Expired?
If your insurance is expired or is nearing expiration, you should immediately call your insurance company to have it renewed. It is illegal to drive with an expired insurance card, so make sure to deal with the renewal process ahead of time. You may receive a letter from the DMV notifying you that your insurance is nearing expiry.
What If My Insurance Expires and I Don’t Plan on Getting it Renewed?
According to the DMV website, you should turn in your license plates immediately to the DMV to avoid getting your license and vehicle registration suspended. If your insurance has expired for no more than 90 days, you have the option of paying the civil penalty fine instead of sending your license plates to the DMV. The penalty fine is $8 per day for the first, $10 per day for the second, and $12 per day for the third month.
Can You Register a Car Without Insurance in New York?
The short answer is no, you cannot register a car without insurance in New York. As explained earlier, in order to properly register your car with New York’s DMV, you must have a valid insurance which meets all of the DMV’s requirements. It must:
● Be an insurance company based in New York, not out-of-state
● Be registered with the same personal information as your license
● Meet the minimum liability coverage requirements
● Be registered electronically with the DMV
What Are The Minimum Liability Coverage Requirements for Insurance?
As explained by the DMV, the minimum liability requirement for a motor vehicle insurance to be valid in New York is $10,000 covered for property damage, $25,000 for injury, $50,000 for death of a person in the accident, and double that if two people in the accident die.
Staying Informed on Motor Insurance Policies in New York
By following these steps attentively, you will avoid all the hassles, fines, and penalties involved with driving without insurance in New York. That said, if you find yourself dealing with a no-insurance ticket, we will help explain what you can do to alleviate the fine or consequences.
Can You Keep a Car Without Insurance in New York?
If you are uninsured, you must remove and turn in your car’s plates. In New York, it is illegal to have unplated cars parked in the street or in a driveway, meaning if you have a car without car insurance you must store it in a garage. No one else can drive your insured car, either.
What Happens If You Get Into an Accident Without Insurance
Exactly what happens if you get into an accident without insurance will depend on the gravity of the situation, damage caused, and if there were any victims in the accident. That said, there are certain penalties you will face no matter the severity of the damage caused, including:
● Having your license revoked by the DMV for at least one year
● Paying a $750 civil penalty to have your license reinstated
● Up to $1,500 in fines and 15 days in prison decided by the court hearing
Along with these, you will need to pay compensation for any damage or harm caused by the accident, which can be very hefty without insurance. If you find yourself in a tough financial situation and are struggling to find an insurance that you can afford, keep reading to look at the programs available for those financially struggling.
How to Save Money on Your New York Car Insurance
The New York Department of Financial Security’s official site provides a list of different things you can do to save money on your insurance. Taking safety classes, properly equipping your car, and adding certain safety features and devices to your vehicle can all be options which can save you money on certain insurance plans.
Taking Classes and Participating in Special Programs
There are online and in-person New York DMV-certified classes available which, if completed, can decrease your insurance premium. These accident prevention courses can specifically affect the “liability, collision and No-Fault coverage of your auto insurance policy for three years,” according to the official site.
Equipment That Can Decrease Your Insurance Costs
Although it varies from one insurance to the next, certain equipment installed on to your vehicle to increase the safety of it can lower your overall insurance costs. This may include automatic airbags, anti-lock braking system, permanently-installed anti-theft devices, and daytime running lamps.
Being a Safe Driver
Although this one may seem straightforward, not all drivers know that in the long-run, an accident and incident-free license can win you some extra bucks by getting a discount on your premium. That said, we all make mistakes, and if you find yourself dealing with a traffic or parking ticket, make sure to contact Appwinit right away for assistance.
Using Appwinit to Fight a No Insurance Ticket in New York
Fighting a no-insurance ticket in New York is no easy task, especially without professional and qualified help. If you are caught driving without insurance, it may seem impossible to get out of paying the large fines and facing the penalties. Luckily, Appwinit offers a team of professional lawyers which can use their expertise to help you fight the heavy consequences which can occur if you drive without insurance.
The best aspects of the Appwinit system is that it is easy to use, takes a matter of minutes, and if your fine is not dismissed, you will not be charged by the team. If your ticket is dismissed, you will be charged 50% of the original ticket price. It is a win-win situation for all of your parking or traffic tickets.
Conclusion
Getting caught driving in New York is not only illegal, it is also a long, strenuous, and complicated process to deal with. By using our guide, you can be sure to not only have all the necessary information to help you through the process, but also get the highest-quality professional legal help and advice which is crucial if ever you find yourself in this tough situation.
