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24/7/365 Emergency Hotline: 631-348-1702

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24/7/365 Emergency Hotline: 631-348-1702

If you have been arrested, or in case of an emergency, our attorneys can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 631-348-1702.

Steep Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in New York

Hundreds of thousands of motorists use New York’s roadways each day. In New York, each vehicle on its roads must be covered by an auto insurance policy to properly adhere to the traffic and insurance laws within the state. However, in 2015, there was an estimated 6.1% of motorists within the state that continued to drive without proper auto insurance in place. This can result in harsh penalties.

Operating a motor vehicle without auto insurance in New York is considered a criminal offense, as per Article 6 Section 319 of the New York Vehicle and Traffic code. All drivers in New York, including those that are from out of state, must have valid auto insurance when driving on all New York roadways, under the New York State financial responsibility law. If one does not have the proper insurance policy in place, they may be subject to steep fines, imprisonment, license revocation, and/or vehicle revocation for at least one year, especially if a traffic accident had occurred. Fines can be up to $1,500 and imprisonment can last up to fifteen days if one is prosecuted for operating a motor vehicle without auto insurance coverage. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can also impose an additional civil penalty of up to $750 for one to take possession of a previously-revoked driver’s license.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has outlined a few options to avoid problems when auto insurance has lapsed. The main rule is simply stated: “no insurance, no plates!” The Department of Motor Vehicles must always be notified of your current address and vehicle registration. Also, it is necessary to keep a valid New York State insurance policy on your vehicle as long as your vehicle is registered in New York, in which your insurance provider must be a company licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Lastly, if your New York State auto insurance is going to expire for any reason, it is important to surrender your license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles prior to the expiration of your coverage and to obtain a receipt of plate surrender.

Violating these laws can result in harsh penalties and plenty of headaches along the way. To avoid issues, it is imperative that you make sure your auto insurance policy is up-to-date and that the Department of Motor Vehicles has all of the proper information on file for you and your vehicle. If you have been ticketed, fined, imprisoned, and/or had your license and registration suspended for lack of insurance, it is best to consult an experienced New York and Long Island traffic law attorney to assist you with handling the charges against you.

The skilled Suffolk County traffic lawyers at McGuire, Peláez & Bennett, P.C. have experience in handing numerous traffic law cases, including those that involve a lack of insurance. The attorneys are available in Central Islip and throughout Suffolk County 24 hours a day, seven days a week to guide you through the process of regaining your license and/or vehicle. Call (631) 348-1702 for more information or to schedule a consultation.

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Reviews

They were a big help with a case I had that had been prolonged by NYC. With their help I avoided 8 points & an increase on my insurance. Can't recommend them enough, well worth the money.
Me fue bien. Trabajan muy bien. Son recomendados
Response from the owner:Thank you very much for your positive review, Orlando. We appreciate you coming to us for legal assistance, and hope you consider us if you need any further help.
Mi experiencia con los los Abogados en Mcguirre, Peláez son muy profesionales le recomendaría a mucha de mis amigos hispanos
Response from the owner:Thank you very much for your review, Joel. We are glad we could be of assistance. Please let us know if there are any future legal issues you need help with.
I can’t recommend Brett Bennett — or really, anyone at McGuire, Peláez & Bennett — highly enough. Hiring Brett was hands-down one of the best decisions I’ve made (and trust me, given why I needed a lawyer, I’ve made some questionable ones).

From the start, Brett made the whole process so much less stressful. He’s approachable, sharp, and always available to chat — no legal jargon, no intimidation, just solid, straightforward guidance. My case wasn’t exactly simple, but Brett’s expertise and understanding of the law turned what felt like a mess into a remarkably favorable outcome. Way beyond what I expected.

Also, special shoutout to the receptionist — she was an absolute gem. Every time I called, she was kind, helpful, and somehow managed to make the whole experience feel a little less daunting.

Bottom line: Brett was affordable, worth every penny, and then some. If you’re reading reviews wondering who to trust with your legal headache — take it from me, this is your guy.
Response from the owner:Maeve, we greatly appreciate you leaving your review. We are happy to have been of service, and hope we can help you again if you ever need any assistance with a future legal matter.
Los abogados son expertos en lo que hacen. Me an ayudado anteriormente y hicieron un buen trabajo. Las muchas de frente son muy buena gente.
Response from the owner:Gracias. Thank you Juan.
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