We understand just how costly an auto insurance plan can be, especially on top of all your other monthly bills. But this is not an expense that you can simply forgo, or else you may face heightened consequences in the event of an auto accident with another vehicle or a traffic stop by a law enforcement officer. With that being said, please read on to discover whether driving without having insurance is illegal and how a seasoned New Jersey traffic ticket lawyer at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C., can work to avoid you facing any serious charges.
Is it illegal to drive without purchasing auto insurance?
Simply put, it is a legal requirement in virtually every state, including New Jersey, to purchase a valid auto insurance plan, while also carrying proof of it on your person or in your vehicle. This is simply for the sake of public safety and financial protection in the event of an auto accident. And so, a law enforcement officer may hold the right to ask for proof of your auto insurance during a traffic stop, or verify your insurance status through an electronic database at this time.
Suppose it is discovered that you do not carry auto insurance during a traffic stop. In that case, an officer may charge you with a fine of $300 to $1,000, a driver’s license suspension of up to one year, mandatory community service hours, and possible impoundment of your vehicle. What’s more, you may need to make $250 annual surcharges payable to the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles (NJDMV) for up to three years.
What’s worse is if you do not have auto insurance at the time of causing an accident. If so, you may be held personally liable for the other party’s damages, resulting in hefty out-of-pocket expenses. On top of this, you may no longer hold the right to sue the other driver for your incurred non-economic damages, even if you believe they acted negligently at some capacity and hurt you as a result.
Is it illegal to drive without possessing a driver’s license?
Equally important to having auto insurance is possessing a valid driver’s license. If you tell a law enforcement officer at the time of your traffic stop that you simply forgot your license at home, they may give you the benefit of the doubt. That is, they may charge you a $180 fine, which you may have an opportunity to erase if you present your license before a New Jersey judge and pay a $33 court fee.
However, say that you had a suspended or revoked license at the time of your traffic stop. Or, you have never been administered license privileges in New Jersey or any other state. Either way, you may be up against a fine of $200 to $500 and a jail sentence of up to 60 days. Specifically, if you never had a valid license to begin with, your eligibility to apply with the NJDMV may be suspended for at least 180 days.
Understandably, this may all seem like a headache during this especially overwhelming time. Well, to alleviate some of the pent-up stress, please turn to the legal aid of one of the experienced New Jersey & criminal defense lawyers. Contact our office, The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C., right now; someone will be more than happy to speak with you.
