Driving Without Insurance in Virginia: What To Know

Since car insurance is now required in Virginia, you can face legal trouble if caught driving without it. Additionally, proof of insurance is necessary for those who need an SR-22 or FR-44, which we’ll detail below. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) monitors liability insurance coverage through the Insurance Verification Program, where insurance carriers report your insurance and vehicle information to the DMV.

If you register a vehicle and lie about your car’s financial responsibility requirements, you’ll face the following penalties:

• A Class 3 misdemeanor
• $600 noncompliance fee
• SR-22 requirement for three years
• $145 reinstatement fee
• Suspension of license, registration, and license plates

Your suspension will end once you pay the fees and furnish an SR-22, which your insurance company will file electronically with the state’s DMV.

If you get into a car accident, and law enforcement requires proof of insurance or payment of the fee, failing to provide this proof within 30 days of the accident results in a Class 2 misdemeanor, which could lead to:

• Jail time: Up to six months
• Fine: $1,000 maximum¹

Proof of financial responsibility can be in the form of:

• Certificate of self-insurance
• Paper or electronic insurance identification card
• SR-22 form

The state requires you to get an SR-22 after being convicted of failing to provide proof of insurance or being suspended for driving an uninsured vehicle. The limits are the same as the state’s minimum requirements, and you’ll need to carry an SR-22 for three years following your license reinstatement.²

Driving without insurance in Virginia will make you a high-risk driver in the eyes of insurance companies. If you have trouble finding coverages, request quotes from high-risk auto insurance companies. To find the best rates, compare quotes from multiple companies before making a decision.

Even if you didn’t own a car during that time, a lapse in insurance coverage will increase your premiums. Standard carriers will typically insure you, though at higher rates. A non-owner policy is a relatively inexpensive way to maintain coverage, even if you’re not driving.

You can appeal a fine by sending a Notice of Appeal from the circuit court to the clerk of the district trial court within 30 days of your judgment. You’ll also have to send a $50 filing fee. There are two ways to send this notice:

• Email: noticeofappeal@oag.state.va.us
• Mail: 
  • Court of Appeals of Virginia
  • 109 North Eighth Street
  • Richmond, VA 23219-2321

The circuit court date must be within five months of conviction if you have been held in custody continuously or within nine months otherwise. You may or may not get a new trial, as the commonwealth could reject your appeal.

Otherwise, it will make a judgment on the appeal. If you disagree with the decision, you can continue the appeal process, appealing it to the state’s Supreme Court. Because the misdemeanor can involve jail time, we recommend hiring an attorney to represent you.

Here are important Virginia car insurance laws to know before driving in the Old Dominion.

Minimum Coverage

As of July 2024, Virginia requires certain liability limits for drivers to get on the road. For policies effective from Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2024, the limits are:

• Bodily injury per person: $30,000
• Bodily injury per accident: $60,000
• Property damage per accident: $20,000

For policies effective from Jan. 1, 2025, onwards, the limits will be:

• Bodily injury per person: $50,000
• Bodily injury per accident: $100,000
• Property damage per accident: $25,000

Driving without insurance in Virginia is risky. If you get into an accident, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for the other party’s losses, as well as your own and your passengers’. In the long run, you’ll save more by paying for premiums and letting your provider take care of the damages.

Full coverage car insurance covers not only the other party’s losses, but also your own losses including medical injuries, property damage, and accidents with uninsured or underinsured drivers. If you can’t afford full coverage, increasing your liability limits is a good way to protect yourself financially in the event of an accident.