There are likely two different penalties you will receive in Maryland for driving without insurance. One is for a lapse of insurance and the second is for being found driving without insurance.

If you cancel or let your insurance lapse in MD, you need to turn in your license plates and registration card immediately to any Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office so that you will not face penalties for a lapse in coverage. You also need to do this if you sell or transfer the ownership of your vehicle.

The Maryland Transportation Code Title 17 (17-104) notes in part that the owner of a motor vehicle that is required to be registered in this State shall maintain the required security for the vehicle during the registration period.

The following penalties can be imposed by the MVA on person whose insurance has lapsed on a car with current registration in Maryland:

• Lose of license plates and vehicle registration privileges.
• Pay uninsured motorist penalty fees for each lapse of insurance - $150 for the first 30 days, $7 for each date thereafter.
• Pay a restoration fee of up to $25 for a vehicle's registration.
• Be prohibited from registering any future vehicles until all insurance violations are cleared.
• Have license plates confiscated by an authorized tag recovery agent, once registration suspension is in effect.
• Pay a fine of up to $1,000 and/or 1 year imprisonment if provided false evidence of insurance.

You can read about the lapse of insurance penalties under Maryland Code Title 17 section 17-106.

The next section that pertains to being an uninsured driver of a motor vehicle is MD Code section 17-107. Here it states that a person who knows or has reason to know that a motor vehicle is not covered by the required security [insurance] may not drive the vehicle or if he is the owner of the vehicle, knowingly permit another person to drive it. So this shows that it is illegal to drive without the proper financial responsibility on your vehicle in Maryland.

It is a misdemeanor to drive without insurance in Maryland and the penalty is listed in section 27-101 of the Maryland Code. In 27-101 subsection h it lists that any person who is convicted of any of the provision 17-107 is subject to:

• For a first offense, a fine of not more than $1000 or imprisonment for not more than 1 year or both; and
• For any subsequent offense, a fine of not more than $1000, or imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both.

Also being cited for driving without insurance in Maryland is by the MVA as a 5 point violation. Upon reaching five points in MD, the licensee is required to attend a conference where the record is discussed in an attempt to improve driving habits. A person referred to a point system conference must attend a program approved by the Motor Vehicle Administration.

Maryland state law requires 20/40/15 as the minimum insurance coverage on an automobile. These numbers stand for $20,000 per injured person up to a total of $40,000 for all injured persons in one accident for bodily injury liability insurance and property damage insurance of $15,000. If you need to obtain at least this minimum coverage for your vehicle then click here for free auto insurance quotes.