Orlando Harmon
If your auto insurance lapses in North Carolina, your insurance company is required to notify the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV will then send you a liability insurance termination notice (Form FS-5/7), and you will have 10 days to respond and provide proof of insurance. Failure to do so within the given timeframe can result in losing your license plates for at least 30 days and possible registration suspension. Additionally, you may be charged a civil penalty ranging from $50 to $150, depending on the number of prior lapses, and a $50 reinstatement fee. Driving without insurance in North Carolina is considered a misdemeanor, and repeat offenses can lead to more severe penalties, including jail time or probation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to return license plates | 10 days |
| Fees to get license plates back | $50 restoration fee, $50 service fee and standard license plate fees |
| Fees for not returning license plates | $150 for subsequent lapses |
| Fees for first insurance lapse | $50 civil penalty, $50 reinstatement fee |
| Fees for second insurance lapse | $100 civil penalty, $50 reinstatement fee, possible jail time or probation for up to 45 days |
| Fees for third insurance lapse | $150 civil penalty, $50 reinstatement fee, possible jail time or probation for up to 45 days |
What You'll Learn
You must surrender your license plates
If your auto insurance lapses in North Carolina, you are required to surrender your license plates. The state of North Carolina mandates that you surrender your license plate if you do not have liability insurance. This is because, in North Carolina, insurance coverage must be continuous without any lapses.
You have 10 days to surrender your license plates. If you fail to do so within this time frame, you will face steep penalties. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will send you a liability insurance termination notice (Form FS 5-7) once your insurance company has notified them of the lapse. You must respond to the DMV within 10 days of receiving this notice. You can respond by proving that you have new insurance in place or by surrendering your license plates.
If you do not respond within the 10-day window, your license plates will be revoked for at least 30 days, and your registration may be suspended. After the revocation period, you will need to pay a $50 restoration fee, a $50 service fee, and standard license plate fees to get your license plates back. You can avoid the service fee by surrendering your license plates to the DMV within 10 days of receiving the revocation notice.
If you have had prior lapses in insurance coverage, the penalties will increase. The state of North Carolina assesses penalties for lapsed coverage based on the number of prior lapses a registered owner has had on their vehicle within three years. The fees for subsequent lapses are as follows:
- First lapse: $50
- Second lapse: $100
- Subsequent lapses: $150
To surrender your license plates, you can either visit any DMV office or location in North Carolina or mail your plates to the following address:
NCDMV Vehicle Registration Section
Renewal Title & Plate Unit
3148 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27697-3148
If your license plates have been lost or stolen, you must submit a License Plate Turn-In Verification form, which can be obtained from your local DMV office or the NCDOT website.
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You will be charged a fee
If your auto insurance lapses in North Carolina, you will be charged a fee. The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will send you a liability insurance termination notification, or Form FS-5, and you will have 10 days to respond. If you fail to respond within the 10-day period, your license plates will be revoked for at least 30 days, and your registration may be suspended.
After the revocation period, you will be required to pay a fee to reinstate your license plates and registration. The fees include a $50 restoration fee, a $50 service fee, and standard license plate fees. If you have multiple lapses in insurance coverage, the fees will increase. For a second offense, the civil penalty increases to $100, and for a third and subsequent offenses, the civil penalty is $150.
In addition to the fees, you may also face other penalties for driving without insurance in North Carolina. It is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor, and you could be charged with a criminal offense. The penalties can include probation, jail time, and suspension of your driver's license.
To avoid these fees and penalties, it is important to maintain continuous auto insurance coverage in North Carolina. If your insurance has lapsed, you must obtain new coverage and provide proof of insurance to the DMV.
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Your insurance company will notify the DMV
If your auto insurance lapses in North Carolina, your insurance company will notify the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This is a legal requirement, and the DMV will then inform you of this notification. The DMV will also advise you of any penalties and the action you need to take.
The DMV will send you an FS 5-7 form, a liability insurance termination notice. You will then have 10 days to respond and prove that you have an existing insurance policy or that you have purchased a new one. If you don't respond within this timeframe, the DMV may take your license plates for 30 days and suspend your registration.
If you are caught driving without insurance in North Carolina, you will be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanour offence and will receive a permanent criminal record if convicted. The state may also suspend your driver's license, charge fines ranging from $50 to $150, or impose jail time.
To get your license plates back after an insurance lapse, you must provide proof of insurance and pay the required fees. The fees include a $50 restoration fee, a $50 service fee, and standard license plate fees. If you surrender your license plates to the DMV within 10 days of receiving a notice of revocation, you can avoid the $50 service fee.
It is important to maintain continuous auto insurance coverage in North Carolina to avoid these issues and penalties.
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You will receive a liability insurance termination notice
If your auto insurance lapses in North Carolina, you will face several consequences. One of the key consequences is receiving a liability insurance termination notice, also known as Form FS5. This notice is sent to you by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and serves as an official record that your insurance coverage has been cancelled or non-renewed. Here's what you need to know about this process:
Notification Requirements
In North Carolina, insurance companies are required to notify the DMV whenever there is a cancellation or non-renewal of liability coverage. The DMV then notifies the policyholder, advising them of any penalties and the necessary actions to take. This communication ensures that vehicle owners are made aware of the lapse in coverage and provides them with guidance on how to address the situation.
Timeframe for Notification
The timeframe for receiving a liability insurance termination notice can vary. In some cases, the insurance company may be required to provide advance notice of cancellation or non-renewal. The standard cancellation clause typically mandates a minimum of 10 days' notice for cancellation due to non-payment of premiums and 30 days' notice for other reasons. However, state laws and policies can differ, and some states may require longer notification periods.
Impact on License Plates
Upon receiving the liability insurance termination notice, you will have a limited time to respond. In North Carolina, you have 10 days to either secure new insurance coverage or surrender your license plates. Failure to take action within this timeframe can result in penalties, including losing your license plates for at least 30 days and possible registration suspension. Reinstating your license plates will require paying restoration and service fees, as well as standard license plate fees.
Fees and Penalties
Letting your insurance lapse in North Carolina can result in financial penalties. If you fail to respond to the liability insurance termination notice within the required 10 days, you will be subject to fees. The North Carolina DMV assesses these penalties based on the number of prior lapses within a three-year period. The fees include a $50 restoration fee and can increase to $150 for subsequent lapses.
Maintaining Continuous Coverage
It is essential to maintain continuous liability insurance coverage in North Carolina. Insurance companies are mandated to report any lapses in coverage, and driving without insurance is illegal. If you are shopping for a new policy, it is important to do so promptly to avoid penalties and ensure you have the required coverage.
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You may face jail time
Driving without car insurance in North Carolina is considered a Class 1 misdemeanour, which can result in a number of penalties. If you are convicted, you will have a permanent criminal record.
If you are caught driving without insurance in North Carolina, you may face jail time. The state may impose jail time or probation for up to 45 days. The penalties are more severe for frequent offenders.
If you are a second-time offender, you may face jail time or probation for up to 45 days. The civil penalty for a second offence is $100, and the other penalties are the same as for a first offence.
For a third or subsequent offence, the civil penalty increases to $150, and all other penalties remain the same as for a second offence conviction.
If you are caught driving without insurance in North Carolina, it is important to take the matter seriously and seek legal advice. You may also wish to compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rate, as you may need to find an insurer that works with high-risk drivers.
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Frequently asked questions
If your auto insurance lapses in North Carolina, your insurance company is required to report it to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV will then send you Form FS 5/7, a liability insurance termination notice, giving you 10 days to respond and prove that you have a new insurance policy. If you fail to respond within the deadline, the state may take your license plates for 30 days and suspend your registration.
If you can't provide proof of insurance when a law enforcement officer asks for it, you'll pay a $50 civil penalty fine and may be put on probation for up to 45 days. The state will suspend your registration and license plates for 30 days unless you submit proof of insurance and pay an additional $50 reinstatement fee.
If you have two offenses within three years, the civil penalty increases to $100. The state takes your registration and license plates for 30 days until you buy insurance. If your license was suspended, you'll need to pay the $50 reinstatement fee to get it back. You also might face jail time or probation for up to 45 days.
When you get a third offense within three years, the civil penalty fine increases to $150. You also lose your registration and license plates for 30 days until you get insurance and pay the $50 reinstatement fee. You may face jail time with a chance of probation.
