Driving Without Insurance in Pennsylvania

Driving uninsured can bring a minimum $300 fine, a three-month suspension of the vehicle registration, a three-month suspension of the driver's license, and restoration fees for the registration and license. A lapse in coverage alone leads to a three-month registration suspension unless the lapse was less than 31 days and the owner proves the vehicle was not driven. Instead of serving the registration suspension, an owner may pay a $500 civil penalty plus the restoration fee, no more than once in 12 months. A suspension can also be avoided by returning the plate and registration card to PennDOT within 30 days after the insurance was canceled.

Keep your insurance ID card in your car at all times; police request it at traffic stops and reportable crashes, and inspection stations require proof of insurance before an inspection. Acceptable proof includes an insurance ID card, a full declarations page, a valid binder, a signed Assigned Risk Plan application, a PennDOT self-insurance certificate, or an insurer letter on company letterhead. Insurers must report policy cancellations and terminations to PennDOT, which sends owners a letter asking for new insurance information, and PennDOT may verify insurance listed on registration applications with the insurer.