If you are convicted of failing to maintain insurance on a vehicle that you are operating in Georgia, Georgia law requires that the judge must impose a fine of at least $200.00, and the fine imposed may be as high as $1,000.00. The judge may impose a jail sentence of up to 12 months for this offense. Additionally, the Georgia Department of Drivers Services will suspend your license upon a conviction for failing to maintain insurance on a vehicle you are operating. The table provided details the license suspension penaties imposed for this offense by the Department of Driver Services:
| Number of Times Person Has Been Convicted of the Offense in a 5-Year Period | Plea of Nolo Contendere (No Contest) Treated As A Conviction | Period of License Suspension for Conviction | Limited Driving Permit | Reinstatement Requirements |
| 1st in 5-Year Period | No, a nolo contendere (or no contest) plea is not treated as a conviction for the 1st offense in a 5-year period. | 60 days | NO | (1) proof of having prepaid a 6-month insurance policy and (2) payment of a $60 reinstatement fee (or $50 if reinstatement is applied for by mail) |
| 2nd in 5-Year Period | A nolo contendere plea is not accepted by the Department of Driver Services for a 2nd offense in a 5-year period | NO | 90 days | (1) proof of having prepaid a 6-month insurance policy and maintain such policy for 3 years; and (2) payment of a $60 reinstatement fee (or $50 if reinstatement is applied for by mail) |
If you are charged with failing to maintain insurance on a vehicle you are operating in Georgia, we strongly recommend that you contact our office today. Georgia courts take this offense very seriously. It is important to recognize that if this is your first no insurance charge and you are eligible to plead nolo contendere (or no contest), you are by no means guaranteed that the court will accept this plea. It is at the judge's sole discretion whether a plea of nolo contendere (or no contest) will be accepted. Also, it is important to recognize that while obtaining insurance coverage after the charge may be used as evidence in mitigation of the punishment you receive if convicted of this charge, obtaining insurance coverage after you have received the charge is not a defense to the charge.
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