Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Georgia
What actually happens when you are caught driving without liability coverage in Georgia.
- First offense — fine
- $200 – $1,000
A misdemeanor: a fine of $200 to $1,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both. If you can show the court that coverage was actually in force when the citation was written, the fine is capped at $25 and no suspension is reported.
- Subsequent offense — fine
- $200 – $1,000
The statutory fine range does not increase for repeat offenses. What escalates is the suspension and the restoration fee.
- License / registration suspension
- 60 days; 90 days on repeat
First conviction: 60-day license suspension, then reinstatement on proof of a prepaid six-month policy plus a $200 restoration fee ($210 in person). Second or subsequent within five years: 90 days, and the license plate and tag registration are suspended too; restoration fee $300 ($310 in person).
- SR-22 required afterwards
- Yes
Only from the second conviction onward. A first offense is cleared with a prepaid six-month policy; a second or subsequent conviction requires an SR-22A held for three years.