Driving without insurance in Maryland is a ticket to take seriously. Fines are not the only potential punishment.
You could have your license suspended, or worse, end up in jail.
You should first know that we are available for consultations 24/7. Call us at 301.513.7832 to discuss your case with one of our experienced attorneys.
Table of Contents
What is Driving Without Insurance in Maryland?
Driving without insurance in Maryland is when someone knowingly or unknowingly driving an uninsured vehicle, or they do not meet Maryland’s mandatory minimum liability coverage. It does not even have to be your car. If you driving someone else’s car, and that car does not have insurance, you could face jail time for this charge.
What Penalties & Fines Could I Face For Driving Uninsured?
A conviction on a first offense can carry 5 points on your license, a $1000 fine and up to one year in jail. If you’re facing a second offense, a conviction carries an additional 5 points, two years in jail and a fine of $2000.
We work with clients every day to prepare for serious Maryland traffic tickets such as driving without insurance. Maryland judges take these charges very serious because, had you been in an accident, the other person you hit would not be protected. Requiring insurance is meant to protect any person that drives on the road.
Driving Without Insurance versus Driving Without Proof of Insurance?
You need to check your ticket carefully. Driving without insurance is a far more serious charge than driving without proof of your insurance. You can still get a fine for not having proof, but it is not a jailable offense. It is important to consult an experienced lawyer when reviewing all of your charges.
What Happens if Your Insurance Expires?
Just allowing your insurance to lapse can lead to severe and immediate penalties. Keeping your insurance up-to-date on your car is probably the most important responsibility you have as a Maryland driver.
Penalties for letting your insurance lapse in Maryland can include the following:
- You losing your motor license and vehicle registration
- Fees of $150 for the first 30 days, then $7 for every day of lapse (up to $2500)
- A fine of $25 to get your vehicle’s registration restored
- License plate confiscation once your registration has been suspended
- You can be prohibited from registering new vehicles until insurance violations are cleared
What If I Get Into An Accident Driving Without Insurance?
If you are driving a vehicle that is uninsured and get into an accident in Maryland, you are liable for the damages. This means the driver can sue you personally instead of seeking compensation through an insurance company.
You are also at risk of a lawsuit if the person driving your car at the time of the accident is uninsured for the vehicle and you are the owner. And if you are driving someone else’s car, you can still be arrested and charged with a crime.
Should I Hire A Driving Without Insurance Lawyer In Maryland?
The answer is an obvious yes. Driving Without Insurance in Maryland is a jailable offense that can result in severe financial penalties, loss of license, and points on your driving record.
It also results in a conviction on your record that could be used to enhance future penalties should you find yourself in court again.
An experienced Maryland traffic lawyer can help you navigate the local players, from the judges, to prosecutors, to the local police. It is a stressful time in anyone’s life when they have to go to court, especially when jail time could be involved.
Mirriam Z. Seddiq and Justin Eisele of the Seddiq Law firm have decades of traffic and criminal experience. We represent clients for driving without insurance all over the state of Maryland, with a focus on Montgomery County Maryland.
Our office is at 100 S Washington Street which makes our law office literally the closest office to Rockville traffic court. Set up a consultation today.