Do I need auto insurance to get a license plate?
In the majority of states, you will need to show proof of car insurance before you are able to get your vehicle’s license plates and registration.
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Written by
Leslie Kasperowicz
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Reviewed by
Daniel Walker
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UPDATED: May 11, 2022
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Buying a new or used car can be exciting. And, as anyone who has bought a vehicle knows all too well, it can also be a very expensive purchase.
Getting the keys to your car can feel pretty great. But your dwindling bank balance may make you wonder if you can get your new license plates and car registration now, and your auto insurance later when your budget allows.
Do you need insurance to get a license plate? In most cases you will need car insurance before you can get your license plates. Read on to learn more.
Table of Contents
Do you need insurance to get a license plate?
If you’re wondering “Do you need insurance to register a car and get a license plate?”, in most cases the answer is yes.
Most states require that you show proof of insurance or show financial responsibility (proof you could cover the cost of an accident if you were to cause one)to register your car and get your license plates and tags.
There are only eight states that do not require this for the registration process. These states are:
- Arizona
- Mississippi
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
New Hampshire is one of two states that does not require liability insurance to operate a car. However, if you live in New Hampshire, you will still have to prove that you could cover the cost of repairs stemming from an accident.
Virginia also allows you to pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee to “drive at your own risk.”
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What type of car insurance do I need?
Now that you know whether you can get a license plate without insurance, you might be curious why this is the case. The laws requiring proof of insurance or financial responsibility to register your car help to keep drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe while on the road and prevent anyone from facing financial hardship due to an accident.
The amount and type of car insurance coverage required, however, does vary from state to state. While some require basic liability insurance, other states ask for more. Be sure you know the exact requirements before you register or even attempt to drive your car.
State Insurance required in the state Minimum liability limits
Alabama BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
Alaska BI & PD Liab 50/100/25
Arizona BI & PD Liab 15/30/10
Arkansas BI & PD Liab, PIP 25/50/25
California BI & PD Liab 15/30/5
Colorado BI & PD Liab 25/50/15
Connecticut BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/20
Delaware BI & PD Liab, PIP 25/50/10
District of Columbia BI & PD Liab, UM 25/50/10
Florida PD Liab, PIP 10/20/10
Georgia BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
Hawaii BI & PD Liab, PIP 20/40/10
Idaho BI & PD Liab 25/50/15
Illinois BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/20
Indiana BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
Iowa BI & PD Liab 20/40/15
Kanses BI & PD Liab, PIP 25/50/25
Kentucky BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 25/50/25
Louisiana BI & PD Liab 15/30/25
Maine BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM, Medpay 50/100/25
Maryland BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 30/60/15
Massachusetts BI & PD Liab, PIP 20/40/5
Michigan BI & PD Liab, PIP 20/40/10
Minnesota BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 30/60/10
Mississipi BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
Missouri BI & PD Liab, UM 25/50/25
Montana BI & PD Liab 25/50/20
Nebraska BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/25
Nevada BI & PD Liab 25/50/20
New Hampshire FR only 25/50/25
New Jersey BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 15/30/5
New Mexico BI & PD Liab 25/50/10
New York BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 25/50/10
North Carolina BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 30/60/25
North Dakota BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 25/50/25
Ohio BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
Oklahoma BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
Oregon BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 25/50/20
Pennsylvania BI & PD Liab, PIP 15/30/5
Rhode Island BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
South Carolina BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/25
South Dakota BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/25
Tennessee BI & PD Liab 25/50/15
Texas BI & PD Liab, PIP 30/60/25
Utah BI & PD Liab, PIP 25/65/15
Vermont BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/10
Virginia BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/20
Washington BI & PD Liab 25/50/10
West Virginia BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/25
Wisconsin BI & PD Liab, UM, Medpay 25/50/10
Wyoming BI & PD Liab 25/50/20
Driving without the required insurance is usually considered a misdemeanor and can lead to fines and even jail time.
Do I need insurance for temporary tags?
When you buy a new or used car, you will usually receive a temporary tag to display until your regular license plate arrives. You might also need a temporary tag if you have a vehicle that you are restoring on your property, or if you are moving to the U.S. from another country and shipping your vehicle from overseas.
The same may be true if you moved to a new state. You will need to re-register the vehicle in your new state (usually within 30-60 days). These scenarios might understandably have you wondering if you need insurance during these transitions.
However, if you are in a state that requires insurance, you must purchase auto insurance for your temporary tag. And, in all states, it’s illegal to drive without insurance, or proof of financial responsibility as discussed above.
How To Provide Proof of Insurance for Registration
Once you choose which insurance policy you want to buy, you will have to make sure it’s active before you register your car at your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV). To make the process as easy as possible, you can find specific information for your state here.
Bring your proof of insurance with you, along with the following:
- Your valid driver’s license
- Proof of ownership of the car
- Any required inspection paperwork
- The application for the license plate
If you buy your car at a dealership, this can often be handled right there. However, you will still need your driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Looking ahead, you may be thinking, “Do you have to have insurance to renew tags?” In most states, you will, and drivers typically need to renew their registration every one to five years.
Fortunately, most states have an online renewal process that makes it easy to pay the fee and provide proof of insurance and other documents from the comfort of home.
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Do you need insurance to get a license plate? A Final Word
You are understandably thrilled to own a car and get behind the wheel. But don’t rush the process.
By getting your car insurance coverage in place before you get on the road, you can be sure you are a legal driver who qualifies to register your car and get license plates.