Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Montana
Montana's Motor Vehicle Insurance Responsibility and Verification Act requires all registered cars in the state to carry a minimum amount of liability car insurance, or owners must provide an alternative form of financial security, such as a bond or deposit with the state.
If you drive without adequate coverage, you can be convicted of a misdemeanor. The penalties include a heavy fine and imprisonment — even on the first offense — as well as license and registration suspensions.
Type of penalty | First offense | Second offense | Third offense | Fourth and subsequent offenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fine | $250 to $500 | $350 | $500 | $500 |
|
Possible imprisonment | Up to 10 days, or both imprisonment and a fine | Up to 10 days, or both imprisonment and a fine | Up to six months, or both imprisonment and a fine | |
|
Registration suspension | N/A | 90 days | 180 days | Until proof of insurance is submitted |
|
Driver's license suspension | N/A | N/A | N/A | Until proof of insurance is submitted |
|
SR-22 | Have SR-22 form for three years | |||
In addition to all these penalties, having a misdemeanor for an insurance lapse on your driving record can result in expensive auto insurance rates in the future.
Penalties for driving uninsured in Montana
Drivers in Montana must comply with the state's financial responsibility laws. These laws state that whenever you register a car or drive a car, you must make sure it is covered by a liability insurance policy that meets the state's minimum coverages of 25/50/20.
You should be prepared to show proof of compliance, such as your insurance card, whenever you are driving. Law enforcement officers can ask to see this proof at a traffic stop or following an accident. More important, you should also make sure your insurance info is up to date in the Montana Insurance Verification System (MTIVS). Law enforcement will use this electronic tool to verify whether your insurance is current.
If you show your insurance card, but the electronic database reports that you do not have coverage, the officer can issue a citation for inadequate insurance.
If you can't show proof of insurance, or if the MTIVS shows that your policy has lapsed, you will face several consequences, including a fine, possible jail time and possibly registration suspension and license suspension.
Fines
In Montana, drivers who violate the insurance law face fines that increase based on the number of times you've been caught. If you're a first-time offender, you can be charged a fine of $250 to $500. If you repeat the violation within five years of your last conviction, you will be charged $350. For your third and subsequent offenses, the financial loss becomes steeper, at $500.
Jail time
A misdemeanor in Montana can be punished with imprisonment. On your first and second convictions for driving uninsured, you may have to serve up to a 10-day sentence in jail. Repeat offenders who are caught driving uninsured three or more times can be ordered to serve up to a maximum of six months. The court can choose whether to punish you with a fine, jail time or both.
Suspension of driving privileges for no insurance
Failing to follow the Montana insurance law will lead to the suspension of your vehicle registration. This penalty is specifically for repeat offenders, so you'll get a pass for your first offense. The court will order the Montana Department of Justice to suspend the vehicle registration of the uninsured car you were driving if you aren't able to prove within 10 days that you had adequate insurance coverage at the time of the citation.
Even after you have paid the fines and showed acceptable proof of insurance, your vehicle registration will still be revoked for 90 days on your second offense and 180 days on the third.
You should immediately surrender your registration receipt and license plates to the motor vehicle division's office when you get the court's order of suspension. During the revocation period, the Department of Justice will issue you a restricted registration receipt that allows you to use the car for your daily commute to work only.
If you fail to surrender your plates and registration receipt, police officers are allowed to seize your plates during an investigative stop or arrest. If you are caught driving on a suspended license, you will be fined up to $500, imprisoned for up to six months or a combination of both.
If you violate the insurance law four times or more within a five-year span, your driver's license will be suspended, along with your registration. You must surrender your driver's license, license plates and registration receipt to the Department of Justice immediately upon notice of suspension. You will not be allowed to reinstate either until you've paid the fine and have acceptable proof of insurance.
Reducing insurance law penalties in Montana
If, before your scheduled court appearance, you are able to submit evidence of compliance that proves your policy was active at the time of the citation, your conviction can be dismissed.
If you can satisfy the judgment by submitting proof of compliance before your court appearance, your reinstatement fee can be waived. If you come back to court with a new auto insurance policy, the suspension period of your driving privileges can be shortened.
Reinstating driving privileges in Montana
In Montana, you can only start reinstating your driving privileges after paying your fine and serving your suspension period. There is a registration fee and $100 license reinstatement fee, if applicable, and you must have a valid auto insurance policy that meets the coverage minimums required by Montana law. To prove your coverage, have your insurance company file an SR-22 certificate for you. You will need to have an SR-22 certificate for three years. Your SR-22 will help the Motor Vehicles Financial Responsibility Division monitor your insurance compliance. Failure to have the SR-22 will again lead to the suspension of your registration.
A note for fourth-time offenders: The Department of Justice may evaluate your case to determine whether you are able to get your license back, even after you've furnished all standard proof and satisfied all judgments.
Reapplying for auto insurance in Montana
Insurance carriers keep a close watch on suspensions and revocations on your driving record. These are major factors that may mark you a high-risk driver. Having that designation can make it difficult to buy an auto insurance policy in the voluntary (consumer) market. If you find yourself being labeled a high-risk driver and are denied coverage, you should try the Montana Automobile Insurance Plan.