Driving without insurance in most states is a misdemeanor and thus a criminal offense which can come with a fine, jail time (imprisonment) or both. State laws vary greatly about the type of offense being an uninsured motorist is as well as the penalties for being caught with no insurance. Some states take driving without insurance very serious since if you injured or damaged someone they know that you may not be able to pay for the damages you caused which is the purpose of Liability insurance.

While some states may just find driving without insurance to be a traffic offense or minor misdemeanor that does not come with jail time in many others jail time is an option for the court so the judge can order jail time if you are convicted of this offense. Some examples of states that have jail time as a penalty for driving without insurance follow.

Alaska Statute section 28.22.019 discusses the fact that proof of insurance is to be carried and exhibited on demand. Subsection A states that a person shall have proof of motor vehicle liability insurance in the person's immediate possession at all times when driving a motor vehicle, and shall present the proof for inspection upon the demand of a peace officer or other authorized representative of the Department of Public Safety.

This AK Statute goes on to say that a municipality may impose a penalty for violating the ordinance as provided under AS 29.25.070. Section 29.25.070 states that: (a) for the violation of an ordinance, a municipality may by ordinance prescribe a penalty not to exceed a fine of $1,000 and imprisonment for 90 days.

In Minnesota the driver's manual states that failure to provide proof of insurance at the request of a law enforcement officer may lead to revocation of your driver's license and vehicle registration. Also anyone who is convicted of operating an uninsured vehicle may be fined up to $1,000 and sentenced to up to 90 days in jail.

Oklahoma Motor Vehicle section 7-606 is the state law for failure to maintain security on a motor vehicle. Here it states that an owner or operator who fails to comply with the Compulsory Insurance Law of OK shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, and in addition thereto, shall be subject to suspension of license and registration.

Being convicted of driving in South Dakota without maintaining proof of financial responsibility is a Class 2 misdemeanor whose penalty is normally a $100 fine or 30 days imprisonment in a county jail or both. Beyond that there is the 30 day license suspension and the need to file a proof of insurance certificate (SR22).

If the court ordered jail time than obviously your state allows it as a penalty for driving without insurance. The judge may have explained why he ordered a fine and jail time, instead of just a fine, if not than perhaps you can find out from the court if this is the normal penalty handed down or if the judge decides upon jail time case by case.

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