California’s DUI laws can be complex and confusing. In this section, our attorneys break down the rules and explain the process.
DUI Laws A to Z
California’s DUI laws can be complex and confusing. In this section, our attorneys break down the rules and explain the process.
DUI Penalties
The impact of a DUI conviction can haunt a person for years to come. But a good attorney can often get penalties reduced…and sometimes even get the case dismissed
DMV & Licenses
A good DUI attorney may be able to get the license suspension reduced, or even avoided altogether
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In California, the term “financial responsibility law” refers to the requirement that you carry proof of your ability to cover damages you may inflict in the event of a traffic accident. This usually means proof of auto insurance.
The law is largely found in Vehicle Code Sections 1600-16078 VC and is sometimes referred to as “California’s Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law.”
Under California law, the minimum amounts of insurance coverage for private passenger vehicles are:
If you violate state law and do not meet all financial responsibility requirements, then you:
The financial responsibility law requires California drivers to provide proof of financial responsibility when requested to do so by a peace officer.1
You can prove financial responsibility via:
The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in California are:
Note that liability coverage compensates you for personal or bodily injury or property damage, typically suffered after a traffic accident or car accident.
Note also that:
If you cannot provide a law enforcement agent with evidence of financial responsibility, then the agent will issue you a traffic ticket under Vehicle Code 16028a.
A 16028a ticket carries a $900 fine, but no DMV points. The $900 includes a base fine of $100 to $200 plus penalty assessments.4
Though if you can show you had automobile liability insurance at the time of the violation, the court should dismiss the case for a $25 administrative fee. Or if you get proper insurance information/coverage soon after the violation, prosecutors may be open to reducing the fine and may even dismiss the charge altogether.
Note that a subsequent 16028a ticket within three years is charged as an infraction, but the base penalty is $200 to $500. With penalty assessments, the total fine is around $1,200.5
Further, if no insurance information, the court does have the discretion to impound a vehicle “for good cause shown.” The registered owner can retrieve the car upon showing evidence of financial responsibility.6
If you cannot afford automobile insurance, you may be eligible for the Low-Cost Automobile Insurance Program.
Information about this program is available at:
You can cancel your insurance if you stop driving for whatever reason.
If you do, you have to submit an Affidavit of Non-Use (ANU) (REG 5090) form to the DMV.
You may obtain this form either:
You may live in California and carry insurance from another state if you:
Note though that it is considered auto insurance fraud if you carry insurance from another state and do so because the rates in the other state are lower.
If you commit this fraud, then the following can occur:
A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.