Driving without valid proof of insurance in California can lead to fines, fees, and other penalties. Here’s what you need to know about the costs associated with getting a no proof of insurance ticket in California.
California’s Insurance Requirements
Under California law, all drivers are required to carry valid auto insurance. You must be able to provide proof of insurance when:
- Pulled over by law enforcement
- Involved in an accident
- Renewing vehicle registration
The minimum coverage amounts are:
- $15,000 for injury/death to one person
- $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person
- $5,000 for damage to property
California is a “fault” state, meaning the driver responsible for the accident has to cover the resulting expenses. Having insurance protects you financially in the event you cause an accident.
Penalties for No Proof of Insurance
If you are caught driving without proof of insurance, you will be subject to the following penalties:
- Civil penalty: Up to $100 plus fees and assessments
- Criminal penalty: Minimum $100 fine, maximum $500 fine and/or imprisonment up to 6 months
- DMV registration suspension: 4 months for first offense, 1 year for subsequent offenses
- Driver’s license suspension: 1 year suspension for second or subsequent offenses
Law enforcement have electronic access to insurance databases, so they can easily verify if you have active coverage. Simply claiming you have insurance is not enough – you have to show valid proof.
Fines and Fees
If convicted of driving without proof of insurance, you will have to pay the following fines and fees on top of the civil penalty:
Fine/Fee | Amount |
---|---|
Base fine | $100 minimum |
Penalty assessments | Varies by county, up to $390 |
Court construction fee | $35 per conviction |
DMV license reissue fee | $55 |
The total cost can easily exceed $500 for a first offense when all the add-on fees and assessments are included. Subsequent offenses can cost even more.
Insurance Rate Increases
Being convicted of driving without insurance will also likely lead to increased insurance rates. Most insurance companies will consider you a higher risk driver after a lapse in coverage or no proof of insurance ticket. Rate hikes after a no insurance conviction typically fall in the range of 20% to 100% or more.
Several factors determine how much your rates go up, including:
- Your previous driving record
- Where you live
- The insurance company and policy type
- Number of lapses in coverage
Since insurance companies set rates differently, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple providers after a no proof of insurance conviction to find the most affordable coverage.
SR-22 Requirements
If your license is suspended for a no insurance violation, you will likely have to file an SR-22 form with the DMV to get your driving privileges reinstated. An SR-22 provides proof that you have auto insurance coverage, which the DMV requires after certain violations.
To get an SR-22, contact your insurer and request that they file it with the DMV. There is usually a small fee for this service, around $15 to $40. Some insurers don’t offer SR-22 filings, so you may have to switch providers if needed.
You will need to maintain an SR-22 filing on your insurance policy for 3 to 5 years, depending on the violation. The DMV will suspend your license again if the SR-22 lapses, so be sure to keep it active throughout the mandated period.
Getting New Insurance After a Ticket
Since auto insurance is mandatory in California, you will need to get new coverage immediately if your ticket results in a lapse or cancellation of your current policy. Here are some tips for finding affordable insurance after a no proof of insurance violation:
- Research minimum state requirements. You may be able to lower your costs with a basic liability policy.
- Compare quotes from multiple insurers. Rates can vary significantly between companies.
- Ask about discounts. Taking a defensive driving course may make you eligible for lower rates.
- Raise your deductible amount. This can lower your premiums, but increases out-of-pocket costs in an accident.
- Limit your driving. Less time on the road can mean lower premiums.
Paying your premiums on-time, maintaining a clean driving record, and improving your credit score can help offset some of the rate increases over time.
Hardship Program
If you are low-income and the penalties and increased insurance rates create a financial hardship, you may qualify for California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance Program. It provides discounted coverage to drivers meeting income eligibility requirements. The policies only meet minimum liability limits, but can be a lower-cost option for staying legal after a no insurance ticket.
Exceptions
In some cases, you may be able to successfully contest or explain the lack of insurance coverage to avoid penalties:
- Coverage lapse: If there was only a brief gap in coverage of 90 days or less, you may be able to prove it was accidental and avoid fines or license suspension.
- Sold the vehicle: If you no longer owned the uninsured vehicle you were driving, penalties may be waived with proper documentation of the sale, such as a bill of sale.
- New purchase: You may be able to avoid a conviction if you can show proof that insurance was bound on a newly purchased vehicle.
Providing valid documentation in a timely manner is key to dismissing a no proof of insurance ticket.
Defensive Driving Courses
In some cases, you may be able to have the ticket dismissed by completing traffic school or a defensive driving course. This also prevents points from going on your DMV driving record, helping keep insurance rates lower following a ticket.
To have the ticket dismissed by taking a course, you typically have to:
- Request traffic school at your court date
- Pay court fees
- Complete an approved defensive driving course
- Present course completion certificate to the court
Contact your local court to learn if this is an option for a no proof of insurance ticket in your county.
Hiring an Attorney
You may want to consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney or legal professional to help mitigate penalties. An experienced lawyer may be able to negotiate with the court to:
- Get the ticket dismissed completely
- Plea it down to a lesser offense
- Receive lesser fines
- Avoid license suspension
This can cost more upfront than just paying the ticket, but may save money in the long run by avoiding increased insurance premiums and other consequences.
Conclusion
Driving without insurance proof in California can lead to fines of $100 or more, license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and increased insurance rates. Exact penalties and costs depend on if it’s a first or subsequent offense. There are steps you can take to minimize the damage of a no proof ticket, like completing traffic school or consulting a lawyer. But avoiding tickets in the first place through proper insurance coverage is always the safest and most cost-effective option for California drivers.