Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car? (2026)

Key Takeaways

All states except New Hampshire and Virginia require car insurance to drive, but even in those two, you're still financially liable if you cause an accident.

Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin allow registration without insurance, but driving without coverage is still illegal except in New Hampshire and Virginia.

Many states use electronic insurance verification systems to identify uninsured drivers. If the system tags you as uninsured, you won’t be able to register your vehicle in that state.

Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car?

Most states require proof of insurance that meets minimum coverage requirements, such as 25/50/25 liability limits, before you can register your vehicle. This applies in 43 states and Washington, D.C.

If you've recently moved, check local requirements, as they vary. Many states use electronic verification systems that instantly confirm your coverage during registration. Accepted forms may also include a physical insurance card or a digital ID displayed on a mobile device, which must clearly show policy effective dates, vehicle information, and coverage limits.

Without insurance, registration will likely be denied.

States Where You Can Register a Car Without Insurance

Only seven states don’t require car insurance before registering a vehicle:

Mississippi
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

However, most states still require insurance before driving, except for Virginia and New Hampshire.

These two states don’t mandate insurance for all drivers. You can drive without coverage in Virginia by paying a $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee. In New Hampshire, insurance is optional, but you must pay for any damage if you cause an accident. While insurance isn’t required, both states strongly recommend having at least minimum liability and property damage coverage.

What Happens if I Don’t Get a Car Insurance Policy?

Most states require insurance to register and legally drive a vehicle. Only seven states allow registration without proof of insurance. But driving uninsured, no matter where, is risky. If caught driving without insurance, the penalties can affect your finances, driving privileges and ability to get affordable insurance in the future.

Fines and Fees
Financial penalties vary widely by state, from as little as $50 to more than $5,000. First-time offenders usually pay lower fines than repeat violators.
License and Registration Suspension
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can suspend your driver’s license and vehicle registration. This action may occur immediately after your insurance status is reported.

Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has the authority to suspend both your driver's license and vehicle registration. This often happens right after your insurer notifies them about your lapsed coverage.
Higher Insurance Rates
Once you're caught driving uninsured, your future premiums will likely rise. Insurers classify uninsured drivers as high-risk.
Legal Liability
If you cause an accident without insurance, you must pay out-of-pocket for all damage and injuries. This includes vehicle repairs, medical bills and legal costs.

What Happens if Your Car Insurance Expires While Your Car Is Registered?

Even after registration, the DMV may monitor your car insurance status through an insurance verification system. If your policy is canceled or a lapse in coverage happens, your registration could be suspended, even if previously approved.

In most cases, the state motor vehicle department will issue a warning or notice of suspension. If you fail to reinstate your insurance promptly, fines, a reinstatement fee or even a registration hold until you provide proof of active coverage may follow. It can also result in an uninsured motorist penalty, which may involve additional financial penalties, license suspension, vehicle impoundment or points on your driving record.

What Do I Need to Register My Car?

To register your vehicle, you must present documents that verify your identity, ownership and insurance status. While requirements vary by state, most DMVs ask for the following:

Completed Registration Application
You'll need to fill out your state's vehicle registration paperwork. Download the form from your DMV's website or grab one when you visit in person.
Driver’s License or State ID
Bring valid identification to show you can legally own and register a vehicle in your state. Your driver's license or state-issued ID card will work fine.
Proof of Insurance
Present documentation of your car's state-required minimum coverage. While many DMVs check this electronically, having your insurance card (physical or on your phone) is still smart.
Vehicle Title or Lease Agreement
Prove ownership or legal possession of the vehicle. Bring your car's title or your signed lease paperwork from the dealer.

Your state might require extra paperwork, such as emissions test results or VIN inspection certificates. To avoid this, check your DMV's website first.

Online vs. In-Person Car Registration Options

Car registration online sounds convenient until you hit the insurance verification step. We contacted DMV offices in all 50 states and found that while most offer online renewal, the insurance requirements can send you straight back to that DMV line you're trying to avoid. These online registration portals streamline some steps but introduce others.

State Insurance Requirements for Car Registration

Before registering your vehicle, most states require an active insurance policy that meets their minimum coverage limits. This also applies to temporary registration insurance, as even short-term vehicle use requires proof of financial responsibility.

When you visit the DMV, they verify your insurance, often electronically, to confirm it meets state requirements. This DMV insurance verification process often requires you to show proof of insurance, which can be a physical ID card or an electronic version on your mobile device.

Because coverage limits vary, make sure your policy follows the rules where you live, and be aware of any specific non-resident registration requirements if you're registering a vehicle in a state where you don't permanently reside.

State	Requirements
Alabama	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Alaska	$50,000 bodily injury liability per person $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Arizona	$15,000 bodily injury liability per person $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident
Arkansas	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
California	$15,000 bodily injury liability per person $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident $5,000 property damage liability per accident
Colorado	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Connecticut	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
District of Columbia	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $5,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage
Delaware	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $15,000 personal injury protection per person $30,000 personal injury protection per accident
Florida	$10,000 property damage liability per accident $10,000 personal injury protection per person
Georgia	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Hawaii	$20,000 bodily injury liability per person $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $10,000 personal injury protection per person
Idaho	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Illinois	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
Indiana	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Iowa	$20,000 bodily injury liability per person $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Kansas	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident Personal injury protection per person: $4,500 per person for medical expenses $900 a month for up to a year of disability or loss of income coverage $25 a day for in-home services $4,500 for rehabilitation-related expenses $2,000 for funeral, burial or cremation expenses Other: Survivor benefits, including up to $900 per month for a year for disability or loss of income and $25 per day for in-home services
Kentucky	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $10,000 personal injury protection per person
Louisiana	$15,000 bodily injury liability per person $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Maine	$50,000 bodily injury liability per person $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $100,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $2,000 medical payments coverage
Maryland	$30,000 bodily injury liability per person $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident $30,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $60,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
Massachusetts	$20,000 bodily injury liability per person $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident $5,000 property damage liability per accident $20,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $40,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $8,000 personal injury protection per accident
Michigan	$20,000 bodily injury liability per person $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident Unlimited personal injury protection per person Unlimited personal injury protection per accident $1 million property protection
Minnesota	$30,000 bodily injury liability per person $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $40,000 personal injury protection per person
Mississippi	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Missouri	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
Montana	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident
Nebraska	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
Nevada	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident
New Hampshire	Car insurance is optional in this state, but if you do buy it, it must have these limits: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage $1,000 medical payments coverage
New Jersey	$5,000 property damage liability per accident $1,000 personal injury protection per person
New Mexico	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident
New York	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $50,000 personal injury protection per person Other: $50,000 liability for death per person. $100,000 liability for death per accident.
North Carolina	$30,000 bodily injury liability per person $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $30,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $60,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage
North Dakota	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $30,000 personal injury protection per person
Ohio	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Oklahoma	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Oregon	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $15,000 personal injury protection per person
Pennsylvania	$15,000 bodily injury liability per person $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident $5,000 property damage liability per accident $5,000 medical payments coverage
Rhode Island	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
South Carolina	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
South Dakota	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
Tennessee	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Texas	$30,000 bodily injury liability per person $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Utah	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $65,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident $3,000 personal injury protection per person
Vermont	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $100,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $10,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage
Virginia	Car insurance is optional in this state, but if you do buy it, it must have these limits: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $20,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage
Washington	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident
West Virginia	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage
Wisconsin	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
Wyoming	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident

What Is Proof of Insurance?

Proof of insurance is a document confirming you have active auto coverage. Most people receive a physical insurance card, but insurers often provide digital versions through websites or apps, which many states accept.

This document includes your name, policy number, insurance company name and policy dates. You may need to show proof when registering a vehicle, during traffic stops or after accidents. Keep this document handy in your glove compartment or on your phone to comply with state laws and avoid penalties.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

In most states, digital insurance cards are accepted as valid proof during traffic stops. Still, it’s a good idea to check with your insurer about their digital card policy, including accepted formats or app requirements, and carry a physical copy just in case.

How to Get Proof of Insurance for Registration

Most insurance companies issue proof of insurance right after you make your first premium payment. You may receive it by mail, email, fax or as a digital insurance card.

Many insurers also offer mobile apps where you can instantly access your insurance ID. If you lose your card, you can usually log in to your account online to download or print a new copy. You can also request a replacement by contacting your insurance agent.

Sometimes, if you've just bought a policy, you might receive temporary proof of insurance, which is valid for a limited period until your permanent documents are issued.

Is Car Registration the Same as Car Insurance?

No, car registration and insurance differ, but most states require both. Registration identifies you as the vehicle's legal owner, while insurance provides financial protection if you cause damage or injuries.

Even if some states don't check for insurance during registration, you still need coverage to drive legally. In states where insurance isn't required, you may need to prove you can pay for damage if you cause a crash. If you're unsure what coverage you need or want to compare rates, use our insurance calculator for a personalized estimate.

Do You Need Proof of Insurance to Register a Car: Bottom Line

Most states require insurance that meets minimum coverage levels to register your vehicle. But seven states allow registration without insurance. To know your state's specific rules and ensure you stay compliant and drive legally, verify the latest requirements on your state motor vehicle department’s website.

Can You Register a Car Without Insurance: FAQ

MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions about vehicle registration to help you through the process.

Do you get insurance or registration first?

Most states require proof of insurance before you can register your car. Insurance companies usually give you 30 days to complete registration.

Which states allow you to register a car without proof of insurance?

In these states, you can register a car without proof of insurance:

Mississippi
New Hampshire
North Dakota
Tennessee
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

How long do you have to get insurance after buying a car?

Most states require immediate insurance coverage before driving your purchased vehicle. You can't legally drive from the dealership or seller's location without active insurance. Many insurers offer same-day coverage that begins within hours of purchase, providing instant proof for immediate driving needs. Grace periods don't exist for newly purchased vehicles.

Can you register a car the same day you buy insurance?

Yes, same-day registration is possible with proper insurance documentation. Purchase insurance coverage first, ensuring it meets your state's minimum requirements. Most insurers provide immediate digital proof upon payment processing, allowing DMV registration visits the same day. Bring both digital and printed proof when possible to avoid verification delays.

Can you use a screenshot of your insurance card for registration?

Screenshot acceptance varies by state and DMV location. Progressive states like California and Texas generally accept clear, readable screenshots showing policy numbers, coverage dates, and insurer information. However, many DMV offices prefer official insurance company apps or physical cards over screenshots due to fraud concerns. Check your local DMV's specific digital proof policies before relying on screenshots.

Can You Get Registration Without Insurance: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Mark holds a B.A. from Boston College and an M.A. in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. He started his career in financial risk management at State Street and is also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

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Sources

New Hampshire Department of Safety. "Insurance Requirements." Accessed June 10, 2026.
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle. "Insurance Requirements." Accessed February 10, 2026.

Can You Register Your Car Without Insurance?