Insurance and registration lapses may not seem like a big deal, but they can have serious repercussions for New York drivers. If you run afoul of Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) section 401-1(b), you could encounter major penalties. Fortunately, a traffic ticket attorney can help.
Are you facing financial and legal penalties due to insurance and registration issues with your vehicle? Turn to the team at The New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers.
What Is an Insurance Lapse?
Every Central New York driver is required to have automobile liability insurance in the minimum coverage amounts required under the law. A lapse in coverage can occur between the date of a policy cancellation and the date of any of the following:
- The start of a new policy
- Surrendering vehicle plates to the DMV
- Registration expiration
- Reinstatement of a prior policy
- “Other proof” of insurance (e.g., a vehicle registered in another state or a vehicle repossessed or impounded) is valid
The time between vehicle registration and the start of insurance coverage is also considered a lapse. Lapses are not only illegal, but extremely risky. If you get into an accident and you have no insurance on your vehicle, the victim may hold you personally liable for their injuries.
In addition to meeting the state’s minimum coverage amounts, the insurance must:
- Remain in effect while the vehicle’s registration is valid (even if you do not use the vehicle)
- Be purchased from a company that is licensed to sell insurance in New York
- Be issued and remain in the name of the vehicle registrant
How a License Plate Surrender Applies
New York law requires that drivers surrender their license plates either before ending their automobile insurance coverage or if they wish to register their vehicle in another state. If a driver fails to return their plates before their insurance ends, the DMV may suspend the vehicle’s registration and the driver’s license.
Penalties For Lapsed Insurance
If Central New York law enforcement pulls you over and discovers your insurance coverage has lapsed, or your insurer notifies the DMV of this fact, you could face:
- DMV suspension or revocation of your driver’s license and registration
- Up to $1,500 in traffic court fines
- A civil fine of $750 to later restore your driver’s license if it is revoked
- Impoundment of your vehicle
- An alternative $8 to $12 daily civil penalty if the lapse is 90 days or less and the registration has not been suspended in the previous 36 months
What Is Considered a Lapsed Registration?
Insurance coverage lapses are not the only thing that Central New York drivers need to be worried about. Police can also issue you a VTL 401 ticket for registration lapses. Although you won’t get any points for this violation, it will likely impact your insurance rates.
Besides insurance issues, the driver may have to deal with:
- Fines
- Surcharges
- Possible jail time
How a Traffic Ticket Lawyer Can Help
If you are dealing with lapses in either insurance or vehicle registration, the sooner you take care of the problem, the better. Fines, insurance rates, and potential for jail time will only increase the longer these problems persist. Our Central New York attorneys can help with:
- Clarifying the law: For example, there are differences between no registration (VTL 401) and suspended registration (VTL 512), and we can assist with both.
- Helping you resolve the issue: We can help you quickly and correctly resolve the matter to avoid further legal problems.
- Working to address the ticket: Our firm can also appear in traffic court on your behalf and handle any tickets, possibly by requesting a dismissal.
- Advising how to avoid future problems: Finally, we can provide tips for avoiding insurance or registration lapses down the road.
If you have a ticket for either an insurance or registration lapse, or related matters, it’s time to resolve the issue so you can move forward. Connect today with the Central New York attorneys of The New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers to get started.