It's a fact all states require motorists to have automobile insurance and a valid driver's license. However, with families cutting back on household expenses due to job losses and the weak economy, some motorists have decided to eliminate their auto insurance to save money.
Auto insurance provides protection against personal injuries, damages to vehicles and liability that may result from a traffic accident. Motorists who frequently drive without insurance and are pulled over by police for a traffic violation run the risk of having to go to court, pay hefty fines and even face jail time.
Driving without insurance
While it's possible to legally drive without auto insurance, it may not be the best thing to do. But for those who don't mind taking a chance, some states offer alternatives for motorists who do not have auto insurance.
The state of South Carolina, for instance, allows motorists to drive without auto insurance. However, the privilege of using this alternative is not automatic. Motorists have to apply for this alternative plan and pay $550 a year. In addition, all drivers in the house in which the motorist lives must have had a valid driver's license for a minimum of three years. Further, the household members must never have been charged with such traffic violations as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or reckless driving.
Motorists who use this plan and cause an accident are still required by state law to pay for any damages or injuries that resulted from the accident.
In the state of Ohio, drivers who do not have car insurance must provide proof of financial responsibility. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers several ways motorists can comply with this requirement. One way is to purchase a $30,000 bond from an insurance or surety company. Another way is to deposit a $30,000 government bond or cash in the same amount with the Ohio Treasurer's office.
Drivers in any state who do not have the money to pay for auto insurance alternatives run a very high risk of being penalized should they commit a traffic violation or become involved in an accident.
If the police finds that the driver without insurance is at fault for any violation or accident, the driver will have to pay out-of-pocket costs for traffic tickets, other imposed fines, and any damages done to their vehicle or someone else's. They also face the suspension of their driver's license and vehicle registration. Drivers will have to pay a fee to have their registration and license reinstated.
This type of scenario plays out in Michigan. In that state, motorists who do not have auto insurance face a $500 fine and up to a year in jail. If they are involved in an accident, the other motorists can go after the driver for vehicle damages and even medical expenses.
Although insurance policies can be expensive, it is beneficial for drivers to do their homework and search for affordable auto insurance. In this way they are protecting themselves rather than facing harsh punishment for not having auto insurance.
Driving without a license
It's more than likely that motorists who have been driving for a long time have at some point driven, unknowingly, without their licenses. Either they left their license at home or at a place of business where they had to use it for identification purposes. In these instances, driving without a license was unintentional. Motorists who intentionally drive without a license do so at their own peril.
Most states view driving without a valid driver's license either as a traffic offense or a crime. Drivers whose licenses are expired, but not revoked or suspended, will more than likely face a fine if they are stopped by police for a traffic violation. Drivers may also have to pay other fines, depending on the circumstances under which the police stopped them in the first place.
If there is no record of the driver ever having a license, or if the license is suspended or revoked, drivers are charged with a misdemeanor crime. Penalties for traffic crimes vary by state. Depending on the motorist's past driving record and criminal history, the driver could face jail time and have their vehicle impounded.
To rectify this situation, drivers may want to contact an attorney who specializes in state traffic laws. A traffic attorney can advise drivers on the steps they need to take to get their license reinstated or get one for the first time. In the event motorists have to go to court, attorneys can also help them prepare a defense and represent them before the judge.
Rather than face unnecessary financial pain and emotional suffering, motorists who do not have a license should either find other means of transportation or obtain a driver's license as soon as possible.
If you live in Maryland and are convicted of a traffic offense, contact the Law Firm of Shapiro & Mack.
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