Insurance Question (VC-16028A)

[aznalan15]

I recently got slapped with a VC-16028A ticket due to not having my insurance card in my wallet (it was an honest mistake I do have documentaion and insurance at the time of being pulled over), can I go to court with my proof of insurance to have the charges dropped or a reduce in bail? Because it is a hefty fine of almost a thousand dollars.

P.S. This is in California if it makes any difference

[Samuel]

Bring your proof to court - the date is on your ticket.

[retdetsgt]

Samuel knows California, I don't. But in Oregon, the law says you have to provide proof of insurance, not just have insurance. Most courts will dismiss the ticket if you show up and prove you had it at the time. But technically, you were guilty of not being able to provide proof at the time of the stop. Some small municipal courts around here will still find you guilty.

[aznalan15]

Hey thanks guys for your quick responses. It kind of puts me at ease knowing that I have a chance to have the violation dropped, because it was just an careless mistake.

[Legoate]

Depending on the county you were cited in, the fine will generally be dropped when you provide the court proof that you had insurance that was IN EFFECT at the time of the stop. Some judges may even give you a break if you got insurance immediately after the stop (assuming a person didn't have it before). There is usually an administrative fee assessed to process the ticket after you provide proof- generally amounting to $10-$20.

What you did isn't uncommon in CA. It is rare that someone has a current insurance card in their card. I'm as guilty as you are of forgetting to print out a new form- my stupid insurance company only issues the cards for 6 months at a time so mine is almost always expired when I think to look at it. As long as you actually have insurance you should be fine.

That $700+ fine does get your attention when you get your notice to appear doesn't it? It is one of the highest fines assessed in under the CA vehicle code.... only slightly lower than reckless driving.