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- The FS-1 is exclusive to North Carolina: No other state uses this form; it is an electronic certificate of insurance submitted directly by your insurer to the NCDMV, not something you carry in your glove box.
- North Carolina raised its minimum liability limits on July 1, 2025: All new and renewed policies must now carry at least 50/100/50 in liability coverage, up from the previous 30/60/25 minimums that had been in place since 1999.
- UIM coverage is now also mandatory: The same 2025 legislation that raised liability limits made underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage a requirement, matching the new 50/100/50 liability minimums.
- A coverage lapse triggers automatic NCDMV notification: Your insurer is legally required to notify the NCDMV if your policy is canceled or lapses, and you have just 10 days to respond before facing civil penalties and possible plate revocation.
- Civil penalties for a lapse are tiered: Fines range from $50 for a first lapse to $150 for subsequent lapses within three years, plus a $50 restoration fee; a lapse can also significantly raise your future insurance premiums.
What the FS-1 form is — and why North Carolina uses it
The FS-1 is a certificate of insurance used exclusively in North Carolina. It certifies that a specific vehicle had active liability coverage as of a certain date — capturing the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN) of the insured vehicle.
According to Jennifer Keel, director of vehicle services at the NCDMV, the FS-1 form is sent electronically from an insurance company. The FS-1 certifies that insurance coverage was active for a certain date on a specific vehicle — including the year, make, model and vehicle identification number (VIN).
Unlike the physical insurance card most states use as roadside proof of coverage, the FS-1 is never handed to the driver — it goes directly from insurer to the NCDMV’s database. When a police officer pulls you over in North Carolina, they can verify your coverage status through that database in real time. You can verbally confirm your insurer name and policy number; the officer does the rest.
North Carolina’s current minimum insurance requirements
As of July 1, 2025, the minimum limits for bodily injury increased to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, and the minimum limits for property damage increased to $50,000. These minimums — expressed as 50/100/50 — are now among the highest in the country. North Carolina’s $50,000 minimum for property damage is the highest in the nation.
The table below shows the required coverages for all North Carolina policies.
| Coverage type | Minimum required (as of July 1, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability — per person | $50,000 |
| Bodily injury liability — per accident | $100,000 |
| Property damage liability — per accident | $50,000 |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury — per person | $50,000 |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury — per accident | $100,000 |
| Underinsured motorist bodily injury | $50,000 / $100,000 (now mandatory) |
The FS-1 form that your insurer files with the NCDMV certifies that your policy meets these minimum thresholds. If your policy falls below current requirements, the FS-1 will reflect the deficiency — and the NCDMV will treat it as a coverage problem.
State minimums are a legal floor, not a recommended benchmark. If you cause a serious accident and your damages exceed those limits, you are personally responsible for the difference.
When you need an FS-1 form in North Carolina
The FS-1 is required at several specific points in your relationship with the NCDMV. Keel says you need an FS-1 form when the NCDMV receives notification of a lapse in your coverage, upon issuance of a new or replacement policy, and upon reinstatement of a policy. Additionally, if your insurance was canceled, you’d need an FS-1 form.
In practical terms, the FS-1 is required:
- When you first register or title a vehicle in North Carolina
- When you purchase a new policy or switch insurers
- After a coverage lapse — to confirm to the NCDMV that continuous coverage has been restored
- After a policy cancellation — to re-establish proof of coverage before driving
- After policy reinstatement — following a lapse or non-payment
Because the form is submitted electronically by your insurer, the filing happens automatically in most cases. You don’t need to request it manually when you first buy a policy — your insurer handles it. Where you may need to proactively contact your insurer is after a lapse, cancellation or reinstatement, to confirm the FS-1 has been resubmitted and the NCDMV record has been updated.
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How the FS-1 is submitted — and what you can do
Once you purchase car insurance in North Carolina, your insurance company submits the FS-1 electronically to the NCDMV. The form is added to your driving record immediately and is accessible to law enforcement in real time.
You cannot submit an FS-1 yourself. The NCDMV will not accept one from a driver — it must come directly from a licensed insurer. If you believe your FS-1 has not been filed or needs to be resubmitted, contact your insurance agent and ask them to submit it electronically. After submission, call the NCDMV at (919) 715-7000 to confirm your record has been updated.
What happens at a NC traffic stop?
- North Carolina allows drivers to verbally self-certify coverage by providing their insurer name and policy number. The officer can verify the FS-1 on file with the NCDMV at that point. A physical or digital insurance card can supplement this, but the FS-1 database record is the primary reference.
What happens if your FS-1 isn’t on file? Penalties and consequences
North Carolina’s liability insurance law is strictly enforced, and insurance companies are required to notify the NCDMV if liability insurance on a vehicle is canceled or coverage lapses for any reason. The NCDMV will send a liability insurance termination notification to the vehicle’s registered owner, who has 10 days from the date printed on the notice to respond. Failure to respond may result in the revocation of the vehicle’s license plate, as well as civil penalties, late fees, interest and collections.
The civil penalties for a lapse in coverage are tiered based on the number of lapses in the prior three years. The table below shows the civil penalties for car insurance coverage lapses.
| Lapse occurrence | Civil penalty |
|---|---|
| First lapse | $50 |
| Second lapse | $100 |
| Subsequent lapses | $150 |
| Restoration fee (all lapses) | $50 |
Beyond state fines, a coverage lapse will result in a significantly higher premium when you obtain a new policy. Insurers treat a lapse as a risk indicator and price accordingly — meaning the decision to let coverage lapse, even briefly, can cost considerably more than the penalties themselves once premium increases are factored in.
If your coverage has not actually lapsed but the NCDMV has received an erroneous cancellation notice, have your insurer submit a new FS-1 showing continuous coverage immediately. Upon receipt, the NCDMV will update its records and clear any pending fines.
The DL-123 form: North Carolina’s equivalent of an SR-22
Some North Carolina drivers cannot rely solely on the standard FS-1 process. Drivers with a DUI violation, a previously suspended or revoked license, or a history of coverage lapses may be required to carry a DL-123, which is North Carolina’s equivalent of the SR-22 certificate required in other states.
Like the SR-22, a DL-123 is a form your insurer files with the state proving you carry the required amount of liability insurance. If your coverage lapses while a DL-123 is required, your insurer immediately notifies the state, which will typically result in your license being suspended or re-suspended.
Drivers are commonly required to carry a DL-123 if they have:
- A DUI or DWI conviction requiring ongoing proof of coverage
- A history of coverage lapses on their record
- A previously suspended or revoked license
- Recently moved to North Carolina and need to establish a compliance record
Generally, a current insurance card and a valid DL-123 are acceptable forms of proof of insurance at a traffic stop, in addition to the FS-1 on file at the NCDMV.
Frequently Asked Questions: FS-1 form in North Carolina
What is an FS-1 form in North Carolina?
The FS-1 is an electronic certificate of insurance used exclusively in North Carolina. It is submitted by your insurer directly to the NCDMV and certifies that your vehicle had active liability coverage meeting state minimums as of a specific date. It is the primary method by which North Carolina confirms driver compliance with mandatory insurance requirements.
How do I get an FS-1 form filed?
You don’t file it yourself — your insurance company submits it electronically to the NCDMV on your behalf when you purchase a new policy, switch insurers, or reinstate coverage after a lapse. If you need to confirm it has been filed, contact your agent and then call the NCDMV at (919) 715-7000 to verify.
What are the current minimum insurance requirements in North Carolina?
All new and renewed policies must carry at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $50,000 in property damage liability and matching uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at the same limits. These minimums were increased from 30/60/25 under Senate Bill 452, signed into law in 2023.
What happens if I let my car insurance lapse in North Carolina?
Your insurer notifies the NCDMV automatically. You will receive a liability insurance termination notice and have 10 days to respond. Failure to respond can result in license plate revocation, civil penalties of $50–$150 depending on the number of prior lapses, a $50 restoration fee, and a higher insurance premium on your next policy.
What is the difference between an FS-1 and a DL-123 in North Carolina?
The FS-1 is the standard electronic certificate of insurance filed by your insurer for all registered vehicle owners. The DL-123 is a separate high-risk certification — equivalent to an SR-22 in other states — required for drivers with a DUI history, a suspended or revoked license, or prior coverage lapses. Both are insurer-filed documents; neither can be submitted by the driver directly.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). “Insurance requirements.” Accessed March 2026.
North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI). “Safe driver incentive plan‘. Accessed March 2026.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates. The rates are based on the sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers carrying full coverage policies with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
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