Stephens Law Firm | April 22, 2025 | Texas Law
Every state requires every driver on its roads to carry auto insurance to cover their liability in case of an accident. If the police catch you driving with no insurance, you will face numerous penalties. In Texas, driving without insurance is a crime that carries several penalties.
Mandatory Insurance in Texas
Texas requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. Liability insurance covers the expenses of anyone you might harm if you cause an accident. Texas mandatory minimum liability insurance amounts to:
- $30,000 in bodily injury per person;
- $60,000 in bodily injury as a cumulative total for a single accident; and
- $25,000 in property damage insurance.
The shorthand for this requirement is 30/60/25.
Getting Caught: TexasSure
Texas auto insurance companies submit all of their policy information to TexasSure, an electronic database. TexasSure will notify the Texas Department of Public Safety whenever you cancel your policy or it lapses. The police can even check the status of your insurance policy by radio if they pull you over.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance
Driving without insurance is a Class C misdemeanor in Texas. Penalties include a fine of $175 to $350 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for repeat offenses. A second or subsequent violation may result in suspension of your driver’s license and vehicle registration. In some cases, such as after an accident, your vehicle may be impounded, and you’ll be responsible for all related fees. Convictions can also lead to higher insurance rates and a requirement to file an SR-22 form for at least two years. These consequences often exceed the cost of maintaining basic liability coverage.
Penalties increase in severity the longer your history of previous offenses. Suffice it to say that driving without insurance is far, far more expensive in the long run than simply purchasing insurance.
Penalties for Driving Without Proof of Insurance (If You Have Insurance)
Every driver in Texas should carry proof of insurance in their vehicle. If the police pull you over and you cannot provide proof of insurance, they will confirm your insurance status by radio. If they confirm that you do, in fact, have insurance, they will not cite you for driving without insurance.
They can, however, cite you for driving without proof of insurance. Penalties for driving without proof of insurance vary depending on whether it is your first offense. On a first offense, there is usually no penalty as long as you provide proof of insurance within 10 days. If you fail to provide proof within 10 days, you face a fine of $175-$300.
Second and further offenses can result in a fine of $350 to 1,000, as well as suspension of your driver’s license and vehicle registration. Texas might also require you to file Form SR-22, which could increase your insurance premiums. Ultimately, once you commit a second offense, there is little difference between the penalties for driving without proof of insurance and driving without insurance.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in an Accident
If you cause an accident while driving without insurance in Texas, the consequences can be severe. You could face fines of up to $4,000 and up to one year in jail, especially if the accident results in serious injury or death. Your driver’s license and vehicle registration may be suspended, and you may be required to file an SR-22 form for up to two years to prove financial responsibility. Additionally, if the accident involves other criminal elements, such as reckless driving or intoxication, you could face further criminal charges unrelated to driving without insurance.
Don’t forget that you may also face civil liability for any damages you cause. You can also face penalties for driving without insurance, even if the accident wasn’t your fault.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth and Weatherford personal injury lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 406
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents – Weatherford Office
109 York Ave Suite #201
Weatherford, TX 76086
(817) 409-7000
