Starting on July 1, Maryland will increase the fines for driving without insurance. These penalties will be enforced when the Motor Vehicle Administration is informed that a vehicle with active plates does not have insurance. The vehicle owner will face an initial penalty for the first 30 days and subsequent daily penalties until new coverage is obtained or the plates are returned to the MVA.
Beginning July 1, the penalty for the initial 30-day period will rise from $150 to $200, with an additional $7 assessed for each following day. Additionally, the annual maximum penalty will increase from $2,500 to $3,500. These fines are applied per uninsured vehicle on the policy.
For the first time in more than 30 years, Maryland’s uninsured driver penalty fines are being adjusted. This change aims to make the average annual premium for a Maryland auto policy cheaper than the maximum annual uninsured driver penalty. Previously, for some drivers, paying the fine was more affordable than getting insurance. With this new law, Maryland seeks to enforce its auto insurance requirement and promote safe driving practices, including obtaining the necessary insurance.
Virginia has also implemented a new law mandating auto insurance coverage. Previously, Virginia drivers could opt to pay an uninsured motorist vehicle fee and drive without coverage. Additionally, since Virginia allows non-residents to register out-of-state vehicles there, many Maryland residents have registered their vehicles in Virginia. The new insurance mandate may prompt some of these Maryland residents to register their vehicles in Maryland and secure the required auto coverage.
Maryland Auto Insurance aims to ensure all Maryland residents have access to the necessary auto insurance coverages. They commend the efforts of the Maryland and Virginia legislatures to strengthen enforcement and encourage drivers in both states to be properly covered. These new laws will safeguard all drivers in the region from the risks and expenses associated with accidents involving uninsured vehicles.
