Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Virginia
If you are driving without insurance in Virginia (VA), you are playing Russian roulette. That is because driving without insurance in VA can lead to significant consequences.
If you have been in a car accident and were without insurance, there are additional risks and considerations. The best way to address a driving without insurance case is for you to hire experienced Virginia attorneys with a long record of success.
Virginia Motor Vehicle Law Regarding Insurance
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VA DMV) mandates that to purchase license plates or decals (the first step to legalizing your motor vehicle), you must certify that you have at least minimum insurance coverage for the vehicle. Virginia requires the following minimum coverage:
- Bodily injury/death of one person $25,000,
- Bodily injury/death of two or more persons $50,000, and
- Property damage $20,000.
The State of Virginia must also have authorized your insurance carrier to conduct business in this state.
Is There Any Way to Legally Drive Without Insurance In Virginia?
If you do not have insurance, you must pay a required uninsured motor vehicle fee. Paying the DMV this uninsured motor vehicle fee is the only option to legally operate a vehicle without insurance.
Therefore, if you drive without insurance in VA and have not paid the uninsured motor vehicle fee, you are driving illegally. This is ill advised, as doing so puts you at great legal risk.
What Is the Fine for Driving Without Insurance?
Virginia Criminal Code and the VA DMV address consequences for the act of driving without insurance and not in compliance with the uninsured motorist rule.
The potential outcome for violating the insurance laws include a fine of $500 or more and a Class 3 misdemeanor conviction. You may also face suspension of:
- Your driver license,
- Vehicle registration certificates, and
- Vehicle license plates.
Driving without insurance after falsely certifying that you have insurance adds additional financial penalties. These fees often include:
- A $600 non-compliance fee, and
- A $145 reinstatement fee.
You may also thereafter be required to file proof of insurance and financial responsibility for three years.
What Happens If You Are Caught Driving Without Insurance and Get in an Accident?
You may face the most significant cost for driving without insurance if you are in an accident. As an uninsured motorist, you may be personally liable for any costs to you or the other driver. This is true even if you have paid the uninsured motorist fee, as that fee does not provide you with any insurance coverage.
Without question, you will need legal help from car accident attorneys to manage the complexities that can come from criminal sanctions and lawsuits you may face.
What If I Didn’t Know My Insurance Expired?
It is not relevant whether you knew that your once-valid insurance expired. If you are operating a vehicle without insurance and have not paid the uninsured motorist fee, you violate the law.
How Can an Attorney Help Me?
Accomplished attorneys who handle traffic and accident cases understand that people make mistakes. They are available to help people address those mistakes by protecting their rights during hearings regarding driving without a license.
A fallacy is that you do not need a lawyer if you are going to admit to guilt. You will need lawyers to represent you during that process to ensure that the judicial system hears your voice and that you are treated fairly during the process. A firm specializing in traffic offenses will also help you understand any obligations you may face for violation of the law.
Along with offering the above, our attorneys in Lantz and Robins, P.C., are equally committed to fighting charges on behalf of our clients. If you have been stopped by law enforcement and charged with driving without insurance, we will begin by investigating the actions of the police. There are rules they must follow to stop someone, and we will hear from you to evaluate whether they followed those rules.
Finally, you need a lawyer who can work with the DMV and prosecutors regarding fighting your charges if there is evidence to do so. Being charged with driving without insurance does not mean that the charge is always valid. Attorneys know the law and will be prepared to ensure parties in our judicial system are not acting beyond their powers in their attempts to charge, prosecute, and sentence you.
All too often, people feel that they know how to handle their traffic and insurance cases. However, the knowledge, experience, and successful case history of Lantz & Robins, PC, cannot be overstated. It is well worth your time to seek a free consultation with one of our lawyers.
Lantz and Robins, P.C.: Your Richmond, VA-Based Car Accident Lawyers
Our firm focuses on car and traffic accident cases. We have extensive experience handling cases involving vehicle insurance issues. We are a compassionate team of lawyers, and we never stop working toward delivering the best results for our clients.
Lantz and Robins, P.C., is grateful to have clients happy with our services time and again provide strong testimonials on our behalf. Lantz and Robins, P.C., is a firm you can trust to handle your case correctly and provide you with personalized service.
With Lantz and Robins, P.C., you are more than a number, and skilled, dedicated attorneys handle your case. We are based in Richmond, Virginia, and our team of experienced trial attorneys is ready to help. For more information or to schedule your free consultation, please call 804-938-6393 or reach us via our website.
W. RANDOLPH ROBINS, JR.
Mr. Robins is an active member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice, groups that are dedicated to making transportation, healthcare, and workplaces safer for average people. Born and raised in Richmond, Mr. Robins graduated from the University of North Carolina and earned his law degree from the Washington College of Law at American University.
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