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How do police know you’re driving without insurance?

One of my friends doesn’t have car insurance, and he doesn’t think he’ll get caught. How do police officers know that a driver is uninsured?

avatar
Amber Reed · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Police have several different ways to figure out you’re
driving without insurance
.
  • Traffic stop: If you do something that gives a police officer reason to pull you over, like speeding or running a stop sign, they will ask to see your
    proof of insurance
    along with your license and registration.
  • Random checkpoints: Law enforcement sometimes sets up mandatory checkpoints on major roadways to check for a valid license, registration, and proof of insurance.
  • Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) systems: Some jurisdictions can verify a driver's insurance status with technology that takes a picture of your license plate and runs it against a database of insured drivers.
In almost every state, it's against the law to drive without at least liability insurance. To avoid penalties and fines, always carry proof of insurance with you when you're driving. If you need help finding an affordable
car insurance
policy, try using a trustworthy insurance comparison tool like the
Jerry AllCar app
.
View full answer 
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