Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Arizona
Arizona requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. If you're caught on the road without it, the state may suspend your driving privileges for up to a year, charge a fine up to $1,000 and require you to file an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility.
The minimum liability limits for a car insurance policy in Arizona are $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
Penalties for driving without insurance
If you don't have coverage, the state may suspend your driver's license, registration and license plates for up to a full year. To reinstate your driving privileges, you'll pay $50–$85 in fees and $500–$1,000 in fines. The length of your suspension and amount of penalties will increase for subsequent insurance citations.
In Arizona, law enforcement officers can ask for proof of insurance during traffic stops or after a car wreck. They may give you a ticket if you can't show proof. However, if you have coverage and simply forgot to bring it, then you might be able to get the citation dismissed.
You may also be responsible for additional fines or penalties imposed by the court.
Fine | Driving privilege | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First offense | $500 | Driver's license, registration and license plates suspended for three months; $50 to reinstate registration, $20–$35 (depending on your age) to reinstate driver’s license | Possible SR-22 certificate for three years |
|
Second offense | $750 | Driver's license, registration and license plates suspended for six months; $50 to reinstate registration, $20–$35 (depending on your age) to reinstate driver’s license | Possible SR-22 certificate for three years |
|
Third and subsequent offenses | $1,000 | Driver's license, registration and license plates suspended for one year; $50 to reinstate registration, $20–$35 (depending on your age) to reinstate driver’s license | Possible SR-22 certificate for three years |
Penalties for the first offense
If you can't show valid proof of insurance when requested and it's your first offense, you'll pay a $500 fine. Plus, the state will suspend your driver's license, registration and license plates for three months.
To reinstate your driver's license, you’ll pay $10 plus an application fee of $10–$25, depending on your age. You'll also pay a $50 fee to get your registration and license plates back. You might also need to file an SR-22 certificate through your insurer for three years. This shows proof of future financial responsibility by verifying to the state that you have paid for the minimum required car insurance coverage. Note that an SR-22 may cause your insurance rates to increase, because it signals that you are a higher risk.
Penalties for the second offense
If the second offense occurs within three years of a previous insurance citation, the fine and suspensions jump to $750 and six months, respectively. As with the first offense, a $10 reinstatement fee, proof of insurance and a $10–$25 application fee are required to get your driver's license back, along with a $50 fee to get your registration and license plates. Plus, the state may require you to file an SR-22 certificate for three years.
Penalties for the third and subsequent offenses
If the third offense occurs within three years of two or more previous violations, you'll need to pay a $1,000 fine and surrender your driver's license, registration and license plates for one year. You'll have to pay the $10 reinstatement fee, show proof of insurance and fork over a $10–$25 application fee to get your driver's license back, plus pay $50 to get your registration and license plates returned. You may also be required to file an SR-22 certificate for three years.
Reducing or eliminating the fine
If you’re convicted of driving without insurance, in some cases the state may reduce or waive your penalty if you present:
- Proof you haven't been convicted of this offense within the past three years
- Proof you've purchased a six-month car insurance policy that meets the Arizona minimum liability requirements.
The court can waive your fine, but if your license or registration has already been suspended, you will need to pay the fees to get those back. If the suspension is still pending, then you may be able to avoid fees — or even the suspension altogether.