Receiving a No Insurance Ticket
If you’re involved in a car accident or get pulled over for a traffic stop, a police officer will ask for your insurance and registration. If you don’t have insurance at the time or if your coverage has lapsed, you will be cited for operating a motor vehicle without insurance.
The Law
Every driver must have liability insurance to legally operate a vehicle. If not, they will receive a no insurance ticket under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/3-707). All drivers must meet the minimum liability insurance requirements. If you’re pulled over and unable to provide proof of insurance, the officer will issue a no insurance ticket, which requires a mandatory court appearance.
If You Were Covered at the Time of the Stop
If you had insurance coverage at the time of the stop but couldn’t show proof because you didn’t have the card or it wasn’t accessible on your phone, you’ll still need to appear in court. However, if you provide proof of insurance coverage in court, the ticket will be dismissed. The inconvenience is that you must attend court to present the proof.
If You Didn’t Have Insurance at the Time of the Stop
If you didn’t have insurance coverage at the time of the stop, you must appear in court. It’s crucial to attend because failing to do so will result in a conviction being entered in your absence. A conviction for a no insurance ticket leads to an automatic 3-month driver’s license suspension and a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000.
If you appear in court and can show proof that you’ve since obtained insurance (known as after-acquired insurance), you may be eligible for court supervision, provided this is your first offense and you haven’t previously received supervision or a conviction for this violation. Court supervision can prevent your driver’s license from being suspended.
SR-22 Requirements
If you receive court supervision for a no insurance ticket or have three or more convictions for driving without insurance, you’ll be required to comply with SR-22 requirements. SR-22 insurance is a form filed by your insurance company with the Illinois Secretary of State, proving that you have the necessary continuous coverage for a period of three years.
More Severe Penalties
Certain situations can lead to more serious penalties for no insurance violations:
- Driving without insurance and causing an accident that results in bodily harm can lead to a Class A misdemeanor charge.
- A 6-month driver’s license suspension will occur if you receive a no insurance ticket while your license is already suspended for a prior insurance-related offense.
- Three or more convictions for this offense result in a mandatory $1,000 fine plus court costs.
Call Us
If you have questions or need representation regarding your no insurance citation, please contact us to assist you. As a traffic defense firm, an experienced traffic attorney will be dedicated to defending your rights and helping you achieve the best possible outcome.