All Laws Decoded

Driving Without Insurance in Massachusetts

Fines, license and registration suspension, and SR-22 requirements for driving uninsured in Massachusetts.

Short answer: Operating, or allowing to be operated or to remain on a way, a vehicle without the required insurance, bond or deposit is punishable by a fine of $500 to $5,000, up to one year in a house of correction, or both (a first offense may be handled with a fine of not more than $500). M.G.L. c. 90, §34J

Driving without insuranceOperating, or allowing to be operated or to remain on a way, a vehicle without the required insurance, bond or deposit is punishable by a fine of $500 to $5,000, up to one year in a house of correction, or both (a first offense may be handled with a fine of not more than $500). A person convicted or pleading guilty also owes the state's residual market plan the greater of $500 or one year's premium for the highest-rated territory and class, and the driver's license is suspended for 60 days, or for one year for a second or later conviction within six years.
Proof of insuranceMassachusetts ties insurance to registration: an insurer's certificate of coverage is filed with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, and when an insurer gives notice that a policy is cancelled, the Registrar revokes the vehicle's registration on the cancellation date unless a new insurance certificate for the same vehicle has been received.

More Massachusetts car insurance & vehicle laws

FAQ

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Massachusetts?
Operating, or allowing to be operated or to remain on a way, a vehicle without the required insurance, bond or deposit is punishable by a fine of $500 to $5,000, up to one year in a house of correction, or both (a first offense may be handled with a fine of not more than $500). A person convicted or pleading guilty also owes the state's residual market plan the greater of $500 or one year's premium for the highest-rated territory and class, and the driver's license is suspended for 60 days, or for one year for a second or later conviction within six years.
Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts ties insurance to registration: an insurer's certificate of coverage is filed with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, and when an insurer gives notice that a policy is cancelled, the Registrar revokes the vehicle's registration on the cancellation date unless a new insurance certificate for the same vehicle has been received.

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.