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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 22, 2021 11:57 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Amen Brown |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Civil Penalty for Driving Without Auto Insurance |
| Pennsylvania requires vehicle owners to have and maintain automotive insurance for all registered vehicles. This ensures that drivers are financially covered in the case of an accident. Although it is important for all vehicles to be insured, it is not uncommon for lapses in auto insurance to occur due to application and processing errors or even honest mistakes. If a driver is caught operating a vehicle without auto insurance, whether intentional or accidental, their license and registration are automatically suspended for three months. This leads to Pennsylvania citizens not being able to drive themselves to work and even leading to drivers taking a chance and driving illegally to continue fulfilling their necessary daily duties. Rather than drivers automatically losing their license and registration for three months due to a possible mistake, I believe they should be given an alternative penalty. For this reason, I will be introducing legislation that will give uninsured drivers the ability to pay a $500 civil penalty in lieu of the three-month license suspension. The payment of the penalty, along with the restoration fee and proof of current insurance, will allow drivers to maintain their license and registration. To prevent abuse by repeat offenders, vehicle owners will only be allowed to exercise this option once every five years. This change will ensure that accidental lapses in auto insurance do not hinder an individual’s ability to continue their day-to-day activities. Please join me in showing Pennsylvania drivers that action can be taken prior to revoking their ability to operate a vehicle. |
Introduced as HB1869