You will then receive a notice to which you must reply within ten days. Below is a list of penalties states may impose for not having car insurance. Always keep your drivers license with you every time you drive, including whenever you drive someone elses car. 0000140763 00000 n Cancellation of vehicle's registration plates. Driving without one is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which means you could face various penalties. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. To obtain a drivers license, a driver must be at least 16 years old. Provide proof of insurance (DL-123 or insurance policy/card) The NC DMV then will revoke your license based on the failure to appear in court or the failure to pay. According to Kinrade, the property tax revenue generated from vehicle registrations totaled more than $84 million last year, or 7.5 percent of Wake County's entire tax base. The penalties are harsher for repeat offenders. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, This depends on your county. The penalty for this offense is similar to what you would face if convicted of a Class 3 misdemeanor in the state. Registration and driver's license. Driving Without Valid Vehicle Registration: State Laws Consequences for Driving Without Car Insurance. If a driver does not have a license at all and they are caught driving, they face a civil infraction and a penalty of a $100 fine and three demerit points. process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. I drive around and I see the expired tags," Marcus Kinrade, Wake County Tax Administrator, told ABC11. The attorneys at Christina Rivenbark & Associates provide defense counsel to drivers heading to traffic court to contest their tickets; we can also defend those accused of driving without a license. Driving Without a License in North Carolina (2023) - What Happens? Gun Permits No Longer Required in North Carolina. What Happens If You Get Pulled Over With Expired Tags? - Coolidge Law Firm If you choose to or are required to appear in court to answer the charge, you must attend court in the county where you received the ticket. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions. Do You Lose Your License for DUI/ DWI In North Carolina? If a motorist lets his insurance coverage lapse, his insurance company is required to report it to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you currently have coverage, many insurers will automatically cover your new vehicle if something happens to it soon after making your purchase. Christina Rivenbark & Associates has years of experience helping clients navigate complex traffic ticket cases, and we have successfully defended many drivers who have been charged with driving without their licenses and other offenses. What is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance? - Ramsey Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. How to Fix a P0171 Code Cost, Causes, and Symptoms. 0000005948 00000 n Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. xref It is not the state fines or penalties you should be afraid ofits a traffic accident without insurance coverage. An ABC11 I-Team Investigation is revealing an increasing concern among some government officials that North Carolina drivers are not renewing their vehicle registrations and paying their fair share. A new Honda Odyssey, for example, costs around $32,000. If you get pulled over while operating a motor vehicle without a license, the penalties will depend on the circumstances of the offense. See the Finding an Attorney FAQ for more information about locating an attorney. This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. Up to 6 months (third & subsequent offenses), Source: State websites and DMVs, and Bankrate*. Driving Without a License in North Carolina | DrivingLaws.org Were transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. The suspension will remain in place for one year, after which the driver must have evidence of insurance. (5) To use a false or fictitious name or address in any application for the registration of any vehicle or for a certificate of title or for any . May be subject to a civil penalty of up to $2,500. Which certificate of deposit account is best? 5. 4. More importantly, driving without insurance is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor in North Carolina. North Carolina takes car insurance seriously. 2nd suspension: 6 months. The suspension will remain in place for one year, after which the driver must have evidence of insurance. Maggie Kempken is an insurance editor for Bankrate. If paying by mail, you must pay by certified check, cashiers check, or money order, payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Please leave this field empty. In addition, you must pay a $50 reinstatement fee. Electric Car Hot Weather Tips 0000005166 00000 n Should I Fight a Traffic Ticket or Pay it Off in North Carolina? In smaller counties, traffic tickets are often handled in criminal court alongside misdemeanor cases. BLOCKED REGISTRATION The amount depends on the number of lapses you have on record. You have the right to hire an attorney for any traffic violation, but are not required to do so. What are the State Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance? To determine whether requesting an online reduction or an online dismissal is an option in your case, go to Citation Services. An unregistered vehicle is a violation of law and if found out the driver will be penalized and may be temporarily suspended from driving or in extreme cases revoke your driving license. Drivers license suspension up to one year (or up to three years as a repeat offender), Up to 20 days in jail for five or more prior convictions. 0000010063 00000 n "I live here too. Coverage.com services are only available in You did not have a drivers license on you when pulled over, even though you have a valid license; Your license has expired (driving with an expired license); Driving with revoked or canceled license; Failure to comply with restrictions on a drivers license; Driving with an out-of-state license when you have resided in North Carolina for over 60 days; or. 0000052692 00000 n However, if a driver drives with a suspended or revoked license, it is a misdemeanor charge. Subsequent Offense - Imprisonment for between 7 days and 6 months; fine of $300-$500; potential civil fine of no more than $1,150. $600 noncompliance fee if caught driving without having paid the uninsured motor vehicle (UMV) fee of $500. Except for New Hampshire and Virginia, all states require drivers to maintain liability insurance to operate a vehicle legally. Official NCDMV: Vehicle Registration Renewals It is risky driving without insurance in North Carolina. North Carolina state law already requires insurance companies to notify the DMV when a driver has canceled their insurance policy or has had their policy terminated. Get a new quote and save today. But not everyone knows that if you drive without insurance, youll likely have to pay a fine, and the state may suspend your license and/or registration. Driving without a license (or a license that's been expired for more than one year) also carries three traffic . A learners permit is obtainable for teens starting at 15 years old. We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. You cant legally drive without car insurance unless you live in New Hampshire or Virginia. 1. You can read more about the revocation and restoration of drivers licenses in the North Carolina Drivers Handbook. A skilled criminal defense attorney will fight for your rights to protect you against fines and possible jail time. Each state, including North Carolina (also known as Tar Heel State), has its own set of rules and penalties for drivers caught without, for the third and subsequent lapses, in addition to the. - Except as otherwise provided in subsection (a1) or (a2) of this section, a violation of this Article is a Class 2 misdemeanor unless a statute in the Article sets a different punishment for the violation. %PDF-1.4 % Bankrates editorial team writes on behalf of YOU the reader. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. Fines in North Carolina for driving without car insurance. No, North Carolina does not require SR-22s to ensure drivers with severe traffic violations are insured. The judge may agree to continue, or postpone, your case to another court date. 8. You could also face up to 45 days in jail or probation. your travel and car related needs. The driver must have a learners permit for the minimum amount of time first. Second offense. If you choose to have a trial, you can present your case to the judge during the trial. State laws differ as to which personal factors can be used by insurance companies to calculate insurance premiums. This will allow you time to confirm payment and ensure that you are not expected in court. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 20-35. Traffic court may not be as intense and imposing as criminal court proceedings, but it is still crucial to have trustworthy legal counsel for your case. For certain speeding offenses, the District Attorneys office may agree to process an online reduction of the charge to a less serious offense. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. In general, no. Driving while you have a suspended, revoked, expired, or otherwise invalid license is also a crime in North Carolina. They may be able to help you secure a restricted license or early reinstatement, but only under certain conditions. In addition to fines and license and possibly registration suspensions, there could be other consequences for driving without car insurance. State law mandates drivers register their vehicles before driving on the road; a valid registration must include proof of insurance coverage and full payment on property taxes, which in Wake . But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. Driving without a license, or on a suspended, revoked, or expired license, is a crime that can come with charges and penalties. Each state, including North Carolina (also known as Tar Heel State), has its own set of rules and penalties for drivers caught without car insurance. Driving without a valid license. 20-48. 0000139854 00000 n You will also need to pay any associated court costs and could have your auto insurance premiums increased. `5. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Here are some potential punishments: If you received a traffic citation, you need to speak with anexperienced traffic ticket attorneyas soon as possible. She covers auto, homeowners, life insurance, and other topics in the personal finance industry. $600 noncompliance fee if caught driving without having paid the uninsured motor vehicle (UMV) fee of $500. Drivers cannot operate motor vehicles without valid drivers licenses. If you have a valid drivers license, you are legally required to have it with you in your car any time you drive. Signing up is so easy! Allowing an unlicensed motorist to drive your vehicle. Expungement vs Sealing of Criminal Records in North Carolina, How to Submit Expungement Application to Delete Criminal Record. So, whether youre reading an article or a review, you can trust that youre getting credible and dependable information. Falsifying information regarding a vehicle A traffic ticket for driving without a license. https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_20.html, https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_20/gs_20-35.html, https://www.freeimages.com/photo/signs-1444874. You will likely pay more for car insurance when you get a new policy because insurance companies often charge higher premiums for drivers who have a lapse in coverage. Penalties for Driving without Insurance in North Carolina Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). You have a valid drivers license but not carrying it when you get pulled over; You are driving with a valid out-of-state license but have lived in North Carolina for a long time. Consequences of Driving Without a License - Free Advice 0000077028 00000 n Person with a Class A, B, or C driver's license: Imprisonment for no more than 6 months, fine of no more than $5,000, or both. Penalties in North Carolina if you don't have car insurance Unlicensed driving (meaning, you don't have a valid license at all) is a class 3 misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $200.