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Ohio Minimum Car Insurance and Penalties for Driving Without It
The short answer
Ohio requires liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25).
Ohio at a glance
| Minimum liability | $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | No other coverage is required besides liability. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are optional. |
| First offense for driving uninsured | The penalty is administrative, with no fine or jail in this law: your driver license is suspended until conditions are met and is impounded, and limited driving privileges are possible only with proof of insurance and a reinstatement fee payment plan. You must file proof of financial responsibility (SR-22), which the BMV says must stay on file for one year, and pay a $40 reinstatement fee. |
| Repeat offense | A second violation within one year brings a one-year suspension (no limited privileges for the first 15 days) and a $300 reinstatement fee. A third or later violation within one year brings a two-year suspension (no limited privileges for the first 30 days) and a $600 fee, with the SR-22 kept for one year. |
| Fee to restore after a lapse | $40 for a first violation, $300 for a second, and $600 for a third or later, plus a $10 deputy registrar service fee. |
Penalties depend on the court and your record; your citation or notice decides what applies to you.
FAQ
What is the minimum car insurance in Ohio?
Ohio requires liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25).
What happens if you drive without insurance in Ohio?
The penalty is administrative, with no fine or jail in this law: your driver license is suspended until conditions are met and is impounded, and limited driving privileges are possible only with proof of insurance and a reinstatement fee payment plan. You must file proof of financial responsibility (SR-22), which the BMV says must stay on file for one year, and pay a $40 reinstatement fee.
Sources
- codes.ohio.gov/section-4509.45
- codes.ohio.gov/section-4509.101
- codes.ohio.gov/section-4511.191
- www.bmv.ohio.gov/susp-fees-amnesty.aspx
- www.bmv.ohio.gov/susp-ins-noncomply.aspx
- codes.ohio.gov/section-4509.01
- codes.ohio.gov/section-4510.02
- codes.ohio.gov/section-4509.20
- codes.ohio.gov/section-3937.18
- dam.assets.ohio.gov/bmv4806.pdf