Driving Without Insurance in Ohio

The penalties for driving without insurance in Ohio are as follows, according to the state’s Revised Code and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).¹²

An SR-22 form proves you have the minimum insurance coverage required. Your insurance company will file it with the BMV once you reinstate your insurance. If you’re convicted of driving without insurance, you’ll need an SR-22 to reinstate your license, even if you live in a different state or don’t own a car.³

Having an SR-22 tells insurance companies you are a high-risk driver, so expect to face higher rates for either three or five years, depending on how many offenses you’ve accumulated.

Finding car insurance after a gap in coverage will prove more difficult than if you had continuous coverage or a clean driving record. You’ll have to request quotes from multiple companies and find one that will accept you despite your SR-22 status. However, if you can’t find an insurer that will take you on as a customer, there is an alternative, thanks to a state-run program called the Ohio Automobile Insurance Plan. We’ll explain more later.

Before you opt for that last resort, compare quotes from different companies. The process of buying new insurance will be the same as if you had continuous coverage. The only difference is you may have more difficulty finding a provider that is willing to cover you.

What happens if you are charged with driving without car insurance in Ohio but you aren’t guilty? If that’s the case, you can plead not guilty, which requires either appearing in court to enter your plea in person or entering your plea in writing. Typically, an attorney handles the latter, but you can do it yourself with your contact information and case number.

From there, the court will notify you of your trial date by mail. If you don’t show up, it will issue a warrant for your arrest and suspend your driving privileges. Bring the following items to your court date:

• Proof of insurance
• Driver’s license
• Proof of ownership, like a new car title
• Funds for any potential fines

During the trial, the prosecutor representing the state of Ohio will try to convince the court that you committed the violation beyond a reasonable doubt. You or an attorney will have a chance to defend yourself and present evidence. Then the judge will determine if you are guilty or not and issue penalties accordingly.⁴

Here’s additional relevant legal information you should know as an Ohio driver.

Minimum Required Coverage

The minimum coverage the state requires is as follows:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 per accident
• $25,000 for property damage liability coverage per accident⁵

Ohio Automobile Insurance Plan

If you can’t find an insurance provider that will cover you, you can use the state’s Ohio Automobile Insurance Plan to buy liability coverage. Be aware that rates will be higher — even more expensive than rates from companies that cover high-risk drivers. To enroll, call 614-221-2596.⁶

Registration

You need proof of insurance to register your car in Ohio. For a new registration, bring the following documents to a deputy registrar license agency:

• Certificate or Title or Memorandum of Title
• E-check, if the vehicle is to be registered in an e-check county
• Lease agreement/power of attorney documents for vehicle leases
• Ohio driver’s license, state identification, or proof of Social Security number
• Signed Proof of Financial Responsibility statement
• Tax ID number (if the car is titled in a business name)

Find an agency at https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/local-office.

You’ll need to renew your registration 90 days before it expires. To do so, you’ll need to bring all of the above documents except the title.

If you’re driving in Ohio, make sure the car you’re driving is insured, either by you or by its owner. If you’re required to have an SR-22 but don’t own a car, consider nonowner insurance, which can provide liability coverage for a relatively low cost.

Fortunately, the cost of auto insurance in Ohio is among the cheapest in the nation. In fact, for liability coverage only, Ohio drivers paid an average of $433 in 2020, according to the most recent data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.⁷ Not only will insurance help you avoid penalties, but even minimum coverage provides $100,000 worth of protection if you damage another party’s property or cause them injuries or death. For $36 a month, this protection is more than worthwhile.