No insurance ticket in Texas
In Texas, driving without insurance is called failure to maintain financial responsibility. A first ticket carries a fine of $175 to $350. If you were actually insured when you got the ticket, it can be dismissed.
Fines for a no insurance ticket
| Offense | Fine |
|---|---|
| First offense | $175 to $350; the court may go lower if you cannot afford it |
| After a prior conviction | $350 to $1,000 |
Court costs are added. Transportation Code 601.191. The old surcharges are gone: the Driver Responsibility Program was repealed effective September 1, 2019.
If you had insurance when you got the ticket
It is a defense if you bring the court proof of insurance that was valid at the time of the ticket, and once the court verifies it, the court dismisses the charge (Transportation Code 601.193). Courts handle it differently: Mansfield only verifies proof in person, and Allen contacts your insurer to confirm. Arlington and Bedford charge no fee for it. Bring the policy number, the insurer, and coverage dates that include the day of the ticket.
If you did not have insurance
Getting insurance now does not make the ticket go away by itself, but it matters. A court may consider deferred disposition or other options, and an attorney can ask. A second conviction is more serious:
- License suspension. On a conviction after a prior conviction, DPS suspends your license unless you file and keep proof of insurance for two years (601.231).
- Impoundment. On a second or later conviction, the court orders your vehicle impounded for 180 days if you owned it then and still own it, with a $15 a day fee (601.261 to 601.263).
Related: what a speeding ticket costs in Texas · municipal court guides
Questions, answered
How much is a no insurance ticket in Texas?
A first offense carries a fine of $175 to $350, and a second offense $350 to $1,000, plus court costs. Allen's published schedule, for example, lists $396 for no insurance with fees.
Can a no insurance ticket be dismissed in Texas?
Yes, if you had insurance that was valid when you got the ticket. Under Transportation Code 601.193, the court dismisses the charge once it verifies your proof. Many courts require you to bring it in person.
Will my license be suspended for no insurance?
Not for a first offense. On a conviction after a prior conviction, DPS suspends your license unless you file and keep proof of insurance on file for two years.
Can my car be impounded for no insurance in Texas?
On a second or later conviction, the court orders the vehicle impounded for 180 days if you owned it at the time and still own it, with a $15 a day fee.
Sources
- Texas Transportation Code ch. 601 (sec. 601.191, 601.193, 601.231, 601.261 to 601.263)
- Texas Department of Insurance: auto insurance FAQ
- DPS: Driver Responsibility Program repeal
- City of Mansfield: insurance dismissal (example)
- City of Allen: fine schedule (example)
Checked 2026-11-10. Court rules and fees change; the court has the final word.