Prevent a Suspension For Liability Insurance Lapses in New York

Prevent a Suspension For Liability Insurance Lapses in New York

You can prevent the suspension of your registration and driver license if you surrender your vehicle plates to the DMV before your liability insurance lapses. You are not required to surrender your vehicle plates for a suspension of 90 days or shorter if you pay a civil penalty. You cannot use the civil penalty option if the lapse is longer than 90 days or you used this option in the past 3 years.


The civil penalty amounts shown below are the amounts for suspensions that take effect on or after October 1, 2005. The civil penalty amount is :

1. $8 per day for each day of the lapse from day 1 through day 30, and
2. $10 per day for each day of the lapse from day 31 through day 60, and
3. $12 per day for each day of the lapse from day 61 through day 90.

For example, if you had a lapse of insurance for 85 days, your civil penalty is calculated as follows :

1. $8 x 30 days ($240) for days 1 through 30 of the lapse, plus
2. $10 x 30 days ($300) for days 31 through 60 of the lapse, plus
3. $12 x 25 days ($300) for days 61 through 85 of the lapse for a total civil penalty of $840.

Note: Motorcycles are exempt from the requirement to surrender the vehicle plate when the liability insurance lapses, but liability coverage is required when the motorcycle is operated.