Have fines for driving without insurance? The state may have a gift for you!
From May 15, 2017 to August 15, 2017, eligible drivers may participate in Maryland’s Insurance Debt Reduction Program. This program allows eligible Marylanders to have up to 80% of their outstanding uninsured driver penalties waived by purchasing insurance and keeping their policy in force for a specified period of time.
Not sure if you qualify? A Maryland Auto Authorized Provider can help. Find an agent near you.
Program participants must meet all of these eligibility requirements.
- Be a Maryland resident
- Own a vehicle that is not currently insured or purchase a vehicle after enrolling in the program
- Have uninsured driver penalties that were delinquent prior to January 1, 2014
- Not have a judgement issued for this outstanding debt by the Department of Budget and Management’s Central Collection Unit (CCU)
To enroll in the program, participants must follow these steps.
1 – Visit a Central Collections Unit office between May 15, 2017 and August 15, 2017 to sign a customer agreement form and make the first payment.
- Central Collections Unit offices are located in Gaithersburg, Glen Burnie, Hagerstown, Largo, and Salisbury and are open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.. For more information, visit CCU Locations and Hours.
2 – Pay the remaining 20% of the outstanding penalties, as well as a 17% CCU collection fee. This can be paid in full or over monthly payments (up to six months).
3 – Obtain insurance and keep coverage in force for six months. If the amount of penalty being waived through the program exceeds $3,000, coverage must be maintained for a year.
Unlike other carriers, Maryland Auto Insurance offers guaranteed coverage to Marylanders who have been turned down or cancelled by other carriers. To find a Maryland Auto provider in your area, click here.
For information about finding or comparing auto insurance, please visit the Maryland Insurance Administration’s automobile insurance resource page and/or Consumer Guide to Auto Insurance.
Participants who default on the customer agreement by either failing to maintain insurance for the required period of time, or not paying all or part of the required 20% penalty and collection fee, will be required to pay the full amount of the outstanding penalty.
Act quickly! This program will only be offered for a 90-day period, between May 15, 2017 and August 15, 2017.
Questions about the program or eligibility? Please contact the Motor Vehicle Administration at 410-768-7000.