We can give you some information on the Minnesota laws that believe would pertain to this situation however for real legal advice on what the penalties are for forging an auto insurance card in Minnesota we would suggest that you contact a legal professional that is familiar with this type of MN law.
Minnesota Law (Minnesota Statute 169.791) requires drivers to carry proof of insurance in the vehicle at all times and to provide it to peace officers upon demand. Here it states in subdivision 7 that any person who knowingly provides false information to an officer or district court administrator under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. This would be in addition to the penalties for failing to provide proof of insurance.
The penalties for failing to provide proof of insurance in MN can include a sentence of imprisonment by the court as well as a fine amount of not less than $200 nor more than the maximum fine applicable to misdemeanors. In addition to these criminal penalties, a person convicted under this section of MN law is subject to revocation of a driver's license or permit to drive and to revocation of motor vehicle registration.
One part of the Minnesota Statutes that seems to really speak about false car insurance information is MS 169.793. Here MN law notes unlawful acts regarding vehicle insurance. Here it says:
Subdivision 1 - It shall be unlawful for any person:
(1) to issue, to display, or cause or permit to be displayed, or have in possession, an insurance identification card, policy, or written statement knowing or having reason to know that the insurance is not in force or is not in force as to the vehicle in question;
(2) to alter or make a fictitious insurance identification card, policy, or written statement; and
(3) to display an altered or fictitious insurance identification card, insurance policy, or written statement knowing or having reason to know that the proof has been altered or is fictitious.
Subdivision 2. Penalty - Any person who violates any of the provisions of subdivision 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition to any sentence of imprisonment that the court may impose, the court shall impose a fine of not less than $200 nor more than the maximum fine applicable to misdemeanors. The court may allow community service in lieu of any fine imposed if the defendant is indigent.
Minnesota Statute 609.033 lists the maximum fine for misdemeanors is currently$1000. If you show a falsified insurance card to law enforcement in Minnesota you can be up for a variety of penalties and you should also be cited for having no proof of insurance for the vehicle and thus end up with two sets of penalties at least.
If you also are the one who forged the false document than likely there could be more charges brought against.While we are not familiar with what exact offense this would be we can tell you it is likely to have harsh penalties associated with it.For example penalties for forging a driver’s license or identification card (MS 609.652) are very severe since this offense is considered a gross misdemeanor.
A gross misdemeanor has a maximum fine of $3,000 and for a maximum sentence of imprisonment of one year. A person convicted of a second or subsequent offense of this may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
You can contact a Minnesota lawyer or even the MN Department of Public Safety or fraud unit of the insurance regulator for Minnesota, the Department of Commerce to obtain more information on the penalties surrounding the forgery of an auto insurance card and the penalties for showing this fake card as proof of insurance.
For a real car insurance policy that comes with a legitimate insurance card to show the MN DPS and law enforcement, click here.