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Lapses in Auto Insurance Former Traffic Court Judge Fighting For You

New York Insurance Lapse Attorney

Handling Insurance Lapse Suspensions for 30+ Years

The NY DMV takes insurance lapses seriously because driving without liability insurance can be costly for both you and other drivers should you get into a car accident. It also gives your insurance company and the DMV an impression that you’re risky on the road and pose a threat to public safety.

What is Considered a Lapse in Auto Insurance?

Driving a registered vehicle without liability insurance, also called an insurance lapse, is illegal in New York. An insurance lapse can occur between the date your insurance is canceled and the date:

  • your new insurance begins
  • you surrender your vehicle plates
  • your registration expires
  • other proof of insurance is valid
  • your insurance company reinstates your insurance coverage

An insurance lapse can also occur during the time between your vehicle registration and the beginning of your insurance coverage. If you can’t prove that you can take financial responsibility for the damages that you may cause from negligent or reckless driving, then you can’t get behind the wheel. If you do drive on an insurance lapse in New York, you could face serious penalties.

If you’re facing accusations for driving with an insurance lapse, or without liability coverage, you need to protect your driving privileges at all costs and contact (212) 235-1525 to retain legal representation.

What Happens If You Don’t Return Your License Plates in NY?

New York drivers must surrender their license plates before ending their vehicle’s liability insurance coverage or to register their vehicle in another state. This is because the DMV must destroy the plates to avoid duplications.

Thus, if you fail to surrender your plate before your liability insurance coverage ends, the NYS DMV will suspend your registration and may even suspend your driver’s license. If you need to surrender plates from another state, be sure to do so with that particular state’s DMV, not the NYS DMV. Failing to surrender license plates before registering a vehicle in a different state may carry administrative penalties as well.

How does this apply to motorcyclists? If you have a motorcycle, you do not need to surrender your motorcycle plates, although, you must be insured to ride it. You don’t have to surrender your motorcycle plates if there’s a lapse in your liability insurance coverage, either.

If you have a trailer, you must only return the plates if the trailer doesn’t have a valid registration. Trailers typically do not need liability insurance and the DMV won’t suspend your driver’s license or registration if you don’t return your plate.

How to Surrender Your New York State License Plate

So, how do you surrender your New York State license plate? If you handle it through the mail, follow the steps below:

Remove plates and stickers, including plate frames and fasteners.

Fill out the Plate Surrender Application (PD-7) for each set of plates you’re returning.

Mail the application with your plates in an envelope to the address below:

NYS DMV 
6 Empire State Plaza 
Room B240 
Albany, NY 12228

If you want to return your plates at the DMV, complete the first two steps described above but instead of mailing the plates and PD-7, bring those items to a DMV office near you. You will pay a $1 processing fee and receive an FS-6T receipt afterward, so be sure to keep the receipt for your records.

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