Operating an Uninsured
Vehicle

In Massachusetts, you have to have car insurance to drive a car. But what happens if you get stopped by the police and your insurance isn’t active?

Whether your policy lapsed a month ago or a day ago, driving uninsured is still illegal.

If you are driving without insurance because:

• You missed an insurance payment
• You changed insurance companies
• You or your insurance company misfiled paperwork

You can be charged with a misdemeanor. Unfortunately, being unaware that your insurance has lapsed isn’t a viable defense. You need an experienced attorney to help you fight your case.

A conviction of operating a motor vehicle without insurance shall result in the following penalties:

• Up to 1 year in jail; or
• A fine between $500 and $5,000; or
• Both a fine and jail time

and

• Mandatory 60-day loss of license