Driving Without Insurance in Florida
Fines, license and registration suspension, and SR-22 requirements for driving uninsured in Florida.
Short answer: If required PIP/PDL coverage is not maintained, FLHSMV suspends the owner's driver license and registration (for up to three years), and there is no hardship license for insurance-related suspensions. Fla. Stat. § 324.0221; FLHSMV, Florida Insurance Requirements; Involved in a Crash?
| Driving without insurance | If required PIP/PDL coverage is not maintained, FLHSMV suspends the owner's driver license and registration (for up to three years), and there is no hardship license for insurance-related suspensions. Reinstatement requires proof of coverage and a reinstatement fee of $150 for the first reinstatement, $250 for the second and $500 for each later one within 3 years of the first (the fee returns to $150 after 3 years without a second reinstatement). An at-fault owner in a property-damage crash who lacked PIP/PDL must also obtain releases or post a security deposit. Turning in the plate before canceling insurance avoids suspension. FLHSMV pages: https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/ ; https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/involved-in-a-crash/ |
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| Proof of insurance | Drivers of vehicles required to carry PIP must have proof of insurance in their immediate possession whenever driving and show it on demand of a law enforcement officer; proof may be paper or electronic (showing it on a device does not consent to a search of other information). An owner-driver who cannot show proof commits a nonmoving infraction; if proof that coverage was in effect is not furnished by the court date, the court (or FLHSMV) suspends the owner's license and registration. Knowingly presenting proof of insurance that is not in force is a first-degree misdemeanor. Insurers report new policies and cancellations to FLHSMV electronically, and FLHSMV sends a letter when an active registration has no reported policy. FLHSMV letter process: https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/received-a-letter/ |
| SR-22 filing | An SR-22 is an insurer filing certifying bodily injury and property damage liability coverage to meet Florida's Financial Responsibility Law. If an at-fault driver charged with a moving violation in a crash with injuries did not have bodily injury liability ($10,000/$20,000), $10,000 PDL and $10,000 PIP, FLHSMV requires the driver to buy and keep at least 10/20/10 coverage with an SR-22 filing for three years from the suspension date, obtain releases or post a security deposit, and pay a $15 reinstatement fee if applicable. Unpaid crash judgments lead to suspension of license and registrations for 20 years or until the judgment is satisfied. |
More Florida car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in Florida
- SR-22 Insurance in Florida
- When a Car Is a Total Loss in Florida
- Transferring a Car Title in Florida
- All Florida car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Florida?
If required PIP/PDL coverage is not maintained, FLHSMV suspends the owner's driver license and registration (for up to three years), and there is no hardship license for insurance-related suspensions. Reinstatement requires proof of coverage and a reinstatement fee of $150 for the first reinstatement, $250 for the second and $500 for each later one within 3 years of the first (the fee returns to $150 after 3 years without a second reinstatement). An at-fault owner in a property-damage crash who lacked PIP/PDL must also obtain releases or post a security deposit. Turning in the plate before canceling insurance avoids suspension.
Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Florida?
Drivers of vehicles required to carry PIP must have proof of insurance in their immediate possession whenever driving and show it on demand of a law enforcement officer; proof may be paper or electronic (showing it on a device does not consent to a search of other information). An owner-driver who cannot show proof commits a nonmoving infraction; if proof that coverage was in effect is not furnished by the court date, the court (or FLHSMV) suspends the owner's license and registration. Knowingly presenting proof of insurance that is not in force is a first-degree misdemeanor. Insurers report new policies and cancellations to FLHSMV electronically, and FLHSMV sends a letter when an active registration has no reported policy.
When do you need an SR-22 in Florida, and for how long?
An SR-22 is an insurer filing certifying bodily injury and property damage liability coverage to meet Florida's Financial Responsibility Law. If an at-fault driver charged with a moving violation in a crash with injuries did not have bodily injury liability ($10,000/$20,000), $10,000 PDL and $10,000 PIP, FLHSMV requires the driver to buy and keep at least 10/20/10 coverage with an SR-22 filing for three years from the suspension date, obtain releases or post a security deposit, and pay a $15 reinstatement fee if applicable. Unpaid crash judgments lead to suspension of license and registrations for 20 years or until the judgment is satisfied.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.