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Texas Minimum Car Insurance (30/60/25) and the Fines for Driving Without It
The short answer
Texas requires liability insurance of at least 30/60/25: $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per crash, and $25,000 for property damage. Driving without it is a misdemeanor under Transportation Code sec. 601.191: a fine of $175 to $350 for a first offense, and $350 to $1,000 for a repeat conviction. If your license is suspended over a financial responsibility case, the state charges a $100 reinstatement fee and, after a qualifying conviction, requires an SR-22 filing kept for 2 years.
Required minimums
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury, per person | $30,000 |
| Bodily injury, per crash | $60,000 |
| Property damage, per crash | $25,000 |
Fines and consequences
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First offense, no insurance (sec. 601.191) | $175 to $350 fine, misdemeanor |
| Repeat conviction | $350 to $1,000 fine |
| License suspension cases | $100 reinstatement fee before the license is renewed or issued |
| After a qualifying conviction | SR-22 filed by your insurer, kept 2 years from the conviction date |
How to get legal
- Get a policy with at least 30/60/25 liability from an insurer licensed in Texas. Texas law requires liability coverage; other coverages, such as collision, comprehensive or uninsured motorist, are not required by state law, and a licensed agent or insurer can explain them.
- Pay the court fine. Ask the court whether a reduced fine or payment plan is available.
- If your license was suspended: your insurer files the SR-22, you pay the $100 reinstatement fee, and the coverage stays in force for 2 full years.
How Texas finds uninsured cars: TexasSure
Texas runs TexasSure, an automated insurance verification database built jointly by the state's departments of motor vehicles, insurance, public safety and information resources. It identifies vehicle owners who do not have the required coverage, so a lapse can be caught without a traffic stop. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles estimates that 11.87% of Texas drivers were uninsured as of September 2025.
FAQ
Is 30/60/25 enough after a serious crash?
It is the legal minimum. If a crash causes more damage than your limits, you can be personally responsible for the rest. Choosing limits is a decision to discuss with a licensed agent or insurer.
Does a first offense suspend my license automatically?
The statute makes a first offense a fine-level misdemeanor. Check your citation and any notice from DPS for what applies to you.
What if I had insurance but no proof in the car?
Bring proof that the policy was in force on the date of the citation to your court date, and ask the court how it handles it.