Driving Without Insurance in New York

Driving, or letting someone drive, a vehicle without required insurance is a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of $150 to $1,500, up to 15 days in jail, or both, plus a $750 civil penalty payable to DMV. The DMV revokes the registration and the owner's driver's license, and no vehicle may be registered in the owner's name for one year; a non-owner driver who knew the vehicle was uninsured also has their license revoked. When insurance lapses on a registered vehicle, DMV suspends the registration and the registrant's license; the suspension can be ended by paying a civil penalty of $8 per day for days 1-30, $10 per day for days 31-60 and $12 per day for days 61-90 without coverage.

A vehicle cannot be registered without proof of financial security, and the owner must keep coverage continuously throughout the registration period. Drivers must produce an insurance identification card when a police officer, peace officer or magistrate asks (as required by DMV regulations); failing to produce proof is presumptive evidence of driving without insurance. Showing a card for coverage that is not in effect is a misdemeanor.