License and Vehicle Registration Suspension in Texas

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Texas takes car insurance seriously. If you're caught driving without it, the state may suspend your driving privileges — and you'll need to pay a fine before you can legally drive again.

Cost of driving without insurance in Texas

Driving without insurance in Texas can be very expensive.

For your first offense, you may pay fines ranging from $175 to $350.

Second and subsequent offenses carry higher fees, which range from $350 to $1,000.

Violation
Fee
First offense$175–$350
Second and subsequent offenses$350–$1,000

Vehicle registration suspended for driving without insurance

By state law, drivers in Texas must carry at least the minimum auto insurance required. Although spending $666 on average per year may seem like a lot, you will likely spend twice that amount in fines if you skip insurance altogether. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) may suspend your license or registration for any of the following reasons:

  • You've received two or more convictions of driving without insurance.
  • The DPS, through , has received notice that you've canceled your insurance.
  • While uninsured, you were in a collision that resulted in injury, death or property damage.

In addition to a license suspension, you may have to pay a fine or face other penalties for driving while uninsured. But depending on the severity of your conviction, the process of reinstating your driving privileges could be fairly easy.

Reinstating your driving privileges

After the DPS mails you a "Notice of Suspension" letter, you'll get a chance to challenge the suspension or reinstate your license. You'll have to pay a $100 fee and ask your insurance company to file an SR-22 form on your behalf.

If you've received a Notice of Suspension, it's important to act fast. You can request a hearing to challenge the suspension within 15 days of receiving the notice. If the DPS receives and approves your request before the deadline, you'll receive information about the hearing details.

To reinstate your driving privileges, you'll need to pay a $100 fee online and provide the following information:

  • Texas driver's license/ID card
  • Date of birth
  • Last four digits of your Social Security number
  • A valid credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express)

If your license was suspended because you were uninsured or canceled your insurance, then you'll need to file an SR-22 form. This form proves you have enough coverage, and it will need to stay on file for two years from the date of conviction.

If you were uninsured and involved in a serious collision, then you'll need to file an SR-60 form in addition to having your insurance company submit the SR-22 insurance form. The SR-60 form is an application to reinstate your driving privileges, as long as there are no pending civil suits or unpaid judgments against you.

We recommend comparing quotes from insurance companies that specialize in providing policies for drivers who have incidents on their records.

How to submit SR-22/SR-60 form

When submitting your SR-22 and/or SR-60 form, you must include a copy of the suspension notice and write your name, date of birth and driver's license number on each form. There are three ways to submit SR-22 or SR-60 forms to the Texas DPS:

  • 1. Submit forms by mail:
  • You can mail the required forms to the DPS at:
  • Texas Department of Public Safety Enforcement and Compliance Service
  • P.O. Box 4087
  • Austin, TX 78773-0320
  • 2. Submit forms by fax to the DPS
  • You can also fax the forms to 512-424-2848.

If you were unable to find auto insurance in the voluntary market in Texas, you can apply for coverage through the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association, which insures high-risk drivers.

Notices from TexasSure

TexasSure is a database that's updated by insurance companies, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Officials can use the TexasSure database to check the status of a driver's car insurance. If TexasSure can't match an insured customer to a vehicle, an official will send the customer a TexasSure Vehicle Insurance Verification notice.

If you get one of these in the mail, take action within 10 days. Call the TexasSure customer service line listed on the notice. Have your reference number handy — it's listed on the top of your letter — and ask about next steps.

If you can't contact TexasSure, call the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-578-4677, and they will connect you with TexasSure.