If you were ticketed for showing an expired auto insurance card to law enforcement but actually did have car insurance on your vehicle at the time you should be able to go to court and clear up the issue by providing them with proof of insurance for the date you were cited.

According to the Plano, Texas Municipal Court site if a driver is issued a citation for failure to maintain financial responsibility (Insurance) and he or she was in fact covered by an insurance policy at the time the citation was issued, the driver (defendant in court) may present proof of financial responsibility to have the citation dismissed. The proof must indicate the following six items:

1. The name, address, and telephone number of the insurer;
2. The insurance policy number;
3. The policy period (the effective and expiration date);
4. The name and address of each insured;
5. The policy limits or a statement that coverage complies with the minimum amounts of liability insurance required; and
6. The make and model of each covered vehicle.

In the Plano court if the proof does not reflect all six (6) requirements, the proof will not be accepted by the Court. The defendant will have to either obtain a new card from the insurance carrier reflecting the necessary requirements, or obtain a letter from the insurance carrier, on company letterhead, stating each of the requirements that are not indicated on the insurance card.

If a person cited (defendant) was operating a car other than his or her own, he or she must also produce a letter from the vehicle owner granting the defendant permission to operate the vehicle.

A Texas court in a different jurisdiction may have different requirements so contact the court listed on your ticket, if you were cited for this infraction of the law, to see what you need to bring to court to show proof that your auto insurance was not expired at the time of the citation.

If you had an expired auto insurance card due to actually having expired insurance or a lapse in your insurance coverage then you will face penalties for driving without insurance. Texas law provides severe penalties for violating the state’s financial responsibility laws. A first conviction will result in a fine between $175 and $350. Subsequent convictions could result in fines of $350 to $1,000, suspension of your driver’s license, and impoundment of your automobile.

To get a quote for Dallas auto insurance, or for any other city in Texas, start here with an affordable car insurance quote.