Warning issued over obscure driving law that could result in a fine and registration suspension – are YOU guilty without even knowing it?
A warning has been issued due to unclear driving laws that could lead to a fine and suspension of registration. Are you guilty without knowing it?
- Attorney Martin A Kron warns drivers about New York’s lesser-known state law
- Car owners may face a suspension of their driver’s license or a felony
Drivers in New York State must exercise caution when it comes to lesser-known regulations imposed by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Lawyer Martin A Kron warns car owners to return their license plates to the RDW before registering or insuring the vehicle in another state.
Kron says the reason for this is because the DMV assumes those driving with expired license plates are driving without insurance.
“You get your driver’s license and your registration is suspended because your insurance has expired,” he told police American sun.
Under New York State law, drivers must surrender license plates before registering a vehicle in another state or before the vehicle’s liability insurance coverage ends. Failure to do so may result in a $200 fine and registration suspension
New York traffic attorney Martin A Kron warns motorists not to overlook this little-known law
There are two ways traffic cops know if your driver’s license or registration has been suspended.
“If you are detained for any other reason and they run your license and registration through the computer,” he said.
Or through the use of a scanner – which works like a radar and is able to scan thousands of license plates in a minute, alerting the police to cars on the road with a revoked driver’s license or license plate.
The minimum fine would be $200, but that could be the least of a driver’s concern, he added.
“Most importantly, you would have a criminal record and your driver’s license and registration would be suspended for the number of days you were uninsured without turning in your license plate,” Kron said.
Not only will New Yorkers with a criminal record get it in their background checks, but the justice system keeps an informal history of all convictions.
Officers noticing the license plates may assume that a vehicle is uninsured. All drivers in the US are required to purchase auto insurance before getting behind the wheel
The license plate law is only relevant to drivers in New York. Out-of-state drivers moving to New York should note that this will apply to them once they move, and must have valid state auto insurance
Another way drivers can violate the DMV is the automated payment of auto insurance premiums.
“Say you’re paying for your car insurance, with the insurance company taking the premium off your credit card each month,” says Kron.
“Often your credit card expires or you change credit cards and you don’t notify your insurance company because you forgot.”
If this is the case, the company may stop deducting the premiums and the uninsured car will be pulled over ‘with the same consequences’.
An insurance lapse in New York may result in a civil penalty to lift the suspension of registration, and will be in effect if the lapse is 90 days or less.
However, payment does not guarantee the reinstatement of your registration, nor will it necessarily terminate any other suspensions or revocations.