Can you get car insurance without a license in NY?
Asked by: Candace Kuhlman | Last update: January 13, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (33 votes)
Can you insure a car without a driver's license in New York?
It's possible to get car insurance with no license, and if someone other than you will be driving your vehicle, it's necessary.
What car insurance does not require a license?
Some insurance companies will cover you if you have a state-issued ID card. Popular car insurance companies like Commonwealth, Advantage Auto and Direct Auto will take a state-issued ID card and issue unlicensed drivers a policy.
What are the minimum requirements for auto insurance in NY?
New York state requires a minimum limit of $25,000 per-person and $50,000 per-accident.
Can insurance tell if your license is suspended?
In most cases, the policy will not be issued in the first place; insurance companies can run motor vehicle records pretty quickly and will find out that your license is suspended. It may be instant or a matter of days.
How to Get Car Insurance Without a License
What is a blocked license?
A license suspension is a temporary block on a driver's driving privileges and that driver may not legally use his license during the term of the suspension. Suspensions can last from a matter of months to up to a year.
Does license suspension show on record?
Traffic violations, accidents, DUI convictions, and license suspensions are all kept track of on your driving record. A driver with a driving record full of traffic tickets, car accidents, reckless driving tickets, DUI convictions, and license suspensions will see higher car insurance rates.
What is the new law in NY about car insurance?
New Law: Auto Policies To Include Supplemental Spousal Liability Coverage. UPDATE: On March 24, 2023, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill that made two changes to this law: The effective date is pushed back to August 1, 2023.
Can I get Geico insurance without a license?
Geico is available to all drivers in every state and typically underwrites cheaper base quotes. Even though Geico is technically a car insurance company that does ask for a license, Geico also sells policies to unlicensed drivers, typically if the car is in storage.
How long can you go without insurance in NY?
About Insurance Lapses
If the registration suspension period is more than 90 days, you must surrender your vehicle registration and plates. The DMV will also suspend your driver license. Your driver license will be suspended for the same number of days as your registration suspension.
Can I get car insurance with a temporary license?
Access auto insurance offers insurance policies to people with suspended licenses, temporary licenses, foreign licenses and no license at all. Note that getting auto insurance without a license through Access doesn't prevent you from being ticketed for driving without a valid license.
Do I need a US driver's license to get car insurance?
As long as you have a valid license to drive in the United States, you can purchase car insurance. And you don't necessarily need to have a license issued in the U.S. Depending on where you're from and which states you'll be driving in, you may be able to use your foreign license after arriving in the United States.
What is the penalty for driving without a license in NY?
Fines: A fine ranging from $75 to $300, depending on the circumstances of the offense. Jail Time: A maximum sentence of 15 days in jail for driving without a license. Failure to Renew: If you fail to renew your driver's license within 60 days of its expiration, you may face a minimum fine of $40.
How much is car insurance in NY?
In the state of New York, the average cost of car insurance is $3,916 per year for full coverage and $1,685 for year for minimum coverage.
What insurance can I use without a license?
Get Parked Car Coverage
You can purchase car insurance coverage without a driver's license by opting for parked car coverage. This type of insurance, which is essentially a storage policy, assumes that drivers don't use their vehicle regularly, so the car is protected from damage that occurs when parked.
Who is cheaper, Geico or Progressive?
GEICO is cheaper and has better ratings than Progressive. Your experience with GEICO and Progressive will vary based on individual rating factors.
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance Geico?
Some states require the car owner's insurance to cover any accidental damage, so if they're not insured or don't have the right coverage, as the driver you may end up being liable.
Can you register and insure a car in NY without a license?
You are not required to have a driver's license to buy or register a car in New York. You can register a car with a suspended license in New York with a valid government ID, but you won't be able to drive or insure it. You must have auto liability insurance coverage to fulfill New York insurance requirements.
What do you need to insure a car in NY?
New York law requires all drivers to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident. Drivers in this state must also maintain $100,000 in bodily injury coverage for multiple deaths. Also, New York drivers must carry $10,000 in property damage liability per accident.
Can someone else insure my car in NY?
New York is the only U.S. state that requires the insurance card and registration to be in the same name. In New York, if a driver uses two names on their vehicle's registration, both names must also appear on the car's insurance policy.
Can a cop tell if my license is suspended?
The officer will only be able to see the driver's driving record. So, if someone drives your car and a cop runs your plates, your driving record will not pop up showing that your license is suspended. However, if the driver does not have a valid license, they may be cited or arrested.
How long does a suspension affect insurance?
In most cases, a license suspension will only affect your insurance rate for 3-5 years. During that time, there are steps that you can take to lower your premium. For example, you can check to see what discounts your insurer offers, like a pay-in-full or defensive driving discount.
Is a suspended license still valid ID?
A suspended license is still considered a valid id as long as it has not expired. However, if your license is taken, you may want to go to your local DMV and request identification (ID) card. Any U.S. citizen can obtain an ID card. In California, an ID card is valid for six years.
How to get a revoked license back in NY?
Request Restoration by Mail
If you request approval by mail, you must wait until 30 days before the revocation period ends to send your request. If you need to request approval to apply for a new license, you must complete an Application for Permit, Driver License, or Non-Driver ID Card (MV-44) (PDF).