The penalties for driving without insurance in Oregon can include fines up to $1,000, fines, suspension of license and registration, impounding your car, and high-risk insurance requirements. Penalties for repeat offenses may be even harsher. You can avoid these consequences by meeting Oregon's minimum car insurance requirements.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Oregon
| Type of Offense | License and/or Registration Suspended? | Car Impounded? | Jail Time? | SR-22 Required? | Maximum Fines & Fees |
| No Proof of Insurance (Can Prove Coverage Later) | No | No | No | No | Dismissed with proof |
1st Offense With No Coverage
| Yes, both | Yes | No | Yes | $130-$1,000 |
| Repeat Offense (No Coverage) | Yes, both | Yes | No | Yes | $130-1,000 |
Not having car insurance and not being able to prove that you have it are two different violations. If you have insurance but cannot prove it when you get pulled over or at the scene of an accident, you are guilty of an "administrative violation", similar to a seat-belt ticket. In Oregon, your citation might be dismissed if you can provide the court with proof of valid insurance for the date of the citation on or before your court date.
Driving without car insurance at all is much more serious, and the penalties are more severe. In addition to the legal consequences, you can also expect your car insurance premium to go up.
You can avoid these consequences by meeting Oregon's minimum car insurance requirements.
Required Car Insurance in Oregon
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $20,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
- $15,000 in personal injury protection coverage
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist coverage
The key to maintaining the minimum amount of coverage required by Oregon is to find a policy you can afford. If your coverage has already lapsed, start by comparing quotes from the insurance companies WalletHub's analysis identified as having the best post-lapse rates.
Best Car Insurance in Oregon After a Lapse in Coverage
- State Farm
- USAA
- Country Financial
- Geico
- Travelers
Drivers in Oregon pay an average of $1,522 per year to maintain the minimum amount of coverage. That's nothing compared to the consequences of driving without insurance, especially if you get into an accident.
What Happens If You Get Into a Car Accident Without Insurance in Oregon?
1. If you get into an accident: all penalties will apply.
If you get into an accident while driving without insurance in Oregon, you will incur the penalties for driving without insurance no matter who is at fault. Driving uninsured can make it difficult to be compensated for damages if you are not at fault and can have long-lasting and life-changing consequences if you are at fault.
2. If the accident is your fault: you'll have to pay for all the damages out of your own pocket.
In addition to the legal consequences of driving without insurance, you could easily be responsible for tens of thousands of dollars or more in damages to your vehicle, the other driver's car repairs and hospital bills, and your own medical care. You could face mounting debt or even bankruptcy, especially if the other driver doesn't carry uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection.
3. Even if you were not at fault or only partially at fault, there will be other consequences.
Driving uninsured doesn't negate the other driver's fault entirely, but you're almost certainly going to be penalized and unable to recover everything you would be entitled to if you had insurance. In at-fault states such as Oregon, the driver who caused the accident is usually responsible for damage to your car and any medical treatment you may need. However, Oregon is a "no pay, no play" state, which means drivers cannot pursue certain damages after an accident, regardless of fault, if they were uninsured at the time the accident occurred. In Oregon, no pay, no play means you cannot recover non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering or emotional stress) if you were driving uninsured, unless the at-fault driver was intoxicated, acted with intent, or fled the scene.
This answer was first published on 07/14/23 and it was last updated on 07/17/23. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
FAQs
Fines in Oregon
How much is a ticket in Oregon for no insurance? ›
If you can't produce your card when the officer asks for it, you can be cited for the violation of "failure to carry proof." If you are convicted of the offense of driving uninsured, you will have to pay a fine of at least $130 and potentially up to $1,000, depending on what the court decides.
What happens if someone hits you in Oregon if you don't have insurance? ›
If someone hits you while you are driving with no insurance in Oregon you still have the right to seek fair compensation for your injuries. Oregon insurance policies have built-in no-fault provisions and must include $15,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
Is Oregon a no pay no play state? ›
Oregon is one of a dozen or so states that follow some version of a "no pay, no play" law. Under this law (which can be found at Oregon Rev. Stat.
What is the penalty for driving without a license in Oregon? ›
If you are being prosecuted criminally, there is a potential for up to a year in jail and $6,250 in fines for a misdemeanor. Felony driving while suspended or revoked can result in a prison sentence.
Can I just pay my ticket and not go to court Oregon? ›
How can I take care of it now? If you don't want to go to court and wish to pay your ticket, you can pay online or send your payment to court. By paying your fine now, you'll be pleading No Contest*.
How much does your insurance go up after a speeding ticket in Oregon? ›
Insurance After a Speeding Ticket in Oregon
You can expect to pay the following prices for auto insurance in Oregon before and after getting a speeding ticket. On average, insurance costs increase by 28 percent for drivers who receive a speeding ticket.
Is driving without insurance a misdemeanor in Oregon? ›
Providing falsified information as proof of insurance could lead to an immediate license suspension and potentially worse consequences. Driving without auto insurance is often considered a misdemeanor, but lying to the state about proof of insurance may be punishable as fraud.
Is Oregon a no-fault car insurance state? ›
Oregon is not a no-fault state, but you are still required to carry at least $15,000 per person in personal injury protection coverage. Unlike in no-fault states, there are no limits on your ability to sue an at-fault driver after...
How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim in Oregon? ›
Oregon car insurance companies are required to pay the benefits within 60 days of receiving a claim or provide a written notice of denial stating the reason for the denial and how to contest the denial.
There's no such “stand your ground” law in Oregon. According to Oregon law, “A person may use physical force upon another person in self-defense or in defending a third person, in defending property, in making a [citizen's] arrest or in preventing an escape.” “In Oregon,” says Portland criminal defense lawyer Lisa J.
What is pip insurance in Oregon? ›
Personal injury protection (PIP) is a mandatory form of auto insurance coverage for all drivers in Oregon except motorcyclists. Each PIP insurance policy must provide at least $15,000 of coverage per person injured in an accident, which can be used to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other related costs.
What is the grace period for new car insurance in Oregon? ›
The Oregon new-car insurance grace period is 7 to 30 days in most cases. The new-car grace period is how long insured drivers are allowed to drive a newly purchased vehicle before adding it to an existing car insurance policy.
Do you have to identify yourself to the police in Oregon? ›
Unless ordered to stop, you may leave at any time, but should ask whether you are free to leave. It is not illegal in Oregon to refuse to identify yourself, but police may detain you until they establish your identity. You can be charged with a crime if you provide false identification information.
Do you have to carry your driver's license in Oregon? ›
Valid: Your driving privilege is valid. You must carry your license or permit while operating a motor vehicle. Lost, damaged, or stolen cards may be replaced online at https://dmv2u.oregon.gov/eServices/?link=replace.
Can you drive with an expired license in Oregon? ›
Why You Shouldn't Be Driving with an Expired License in Oregon. Depending on how long your license has been expired and the current state of your driving record, ticket fines can run as high as $250. If it's been over a year since your license expired, you will have to retake the written test and the driving test.
How many tickets can you get in Oregon before you lose your license? ›
DMV will also revoke your license as a habitual offender if you are convicted of 20 or more traffic violations within five years.
Can a cop give you a ticket without pulling you over in Oregon? ›
In Oregon, a law enforcement officer may ticket a driver without pulling them over, as long as the officer has a reasonable suspicion that the driver has committed a traffic violation. This law is known as the “Reasonable Suspicion” law.
Is Oregon a no-fault state? ›
While you may feel that most accidents are cut-and-dry situations, some states operate differently. Some states rely on “fault” insurance for car accidents, while others operate on a “no-fault” basis. Oregon is a fault state. We'll explain what this means so you can recognize your rights after a crash.
How much is a ticket for driving without insurance in WA? ›
If you drive a motor vehicle without the required insurance, you will receive a minimum fine of $550.
