Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility

If you have been charged with Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility (No Insurance), you must appear in the Court on or before your appearance date to do one of the following:

If you have proof of financial responsibility in the form of insurance, you must present a valid insurance card or policy which was in effect at the date and time of your offense.  Upon verification of insurance coverage, your citation will be presented to a Judge for review and a decision will be made about dismissal.  The insurance agency will be contacted by telephone to verify coverage.  You may provide proof of insurance by mail or in person.  Sec 601.053 Texas Transportation Code provides that the following are proof of financial responsibility:

• Insurance policy or copy
• Standard proof of insurance (card)
• Insurance binder with correct dates
• Copy of certificate of deposit with appropriate county judge under 601.123
• Certificate of self insurance or copy under 601.124

If you cannot show valid proof of insurance, you must pay the fine or request a court date to speak with the Judge about your situation. Payment of the fine will result in a conviction on your driving record that will be reported to the State.

Each conviction for this offense will result in the assessment of an annual surcharge of $250.00 (for three consecutive years) by the State under the Driver Responsibility Act (Transportation Code 708.105).  Multiple convictions will result in multiple surcharges.  Additional fees may apply.

In addition, a second or subsequent conviction of this offense under the Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act will result in the suspension of your driver's license and motor vehicle registration unless you file and maintain proof of financial responsibility (most often insurance) with the Department of Public Safety for two years following the date of conviction.  DPS may waive this requirement if you file satisfactory evidence with DPS showing that at the time the citation was issued, the vehicle was indeed covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy, or that you were otherwise exempt from the requirements to provide proof of financial responsibility [Transportation Code 601.233(a)].