Auto Insurance Lapse Maryland MD

Reader’s Question:

My wife had an insurance lapse a few years ago in Aspen Hill MD, and owes fines. We are trying to purchase a used vehicle now however only her name is on the title. Can I register the vehicle in Maryland if my name is not on the title?

Michael

Aspen Hill, MD

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) states that to register a vehicle in Maryland you need to show proof of ownership. As part of this you must submit the car’s current title that has been properly assigned to you. So it seems that you could register this newly purchased car if your name is not on the title but you can verify that this is correct by contacting the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.

It would seem that to register this vehicle your husband will need to clear up his issues with the MVA or place you on the title. The penalties for a car insurance lapse in Aspen Hill Maryland and other areas in MD could include for the uninsured vehicle owner:

• Pay uninsured driver penalty fees for each lapse of insurance – $150 for the first thirty days, $7 for each day thereafter.
• Lose vehicle registration privileges and license plates.
• Pay a reinstatement fee of up to $25 for a vehicle’s registration.
• Be prohibited from registering any future cars until all insurance offense are cleared.
• Be prohibited from renewing a suspended registration until all insurance offense are cleared.
• license plates will be confiscated by an authorized tag recovery agent, once a registration suspension is in effect.
• $1,000 fine and/or 1 year imprisonment for providing false information of insurance.