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Florida driving lesson · Your Driving Privilege

The No-Fault insurance law

A 4-minute lesson from the Florida course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
4 minutes
Course unit
Your Driving Privilege
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
31, 32

Florida is a 'no-fault' state. Before you can register a car you must show two coverages: Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which pays for your own injuries no matter who caused the crash, and Property Damage Liability (PDL), which pays for damage you do to other people's property.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Insurance that covers your injuries if you're in a crash, no matter who caused it.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Property Damage Liability (PDL)

Insurance that pays for damage you cause to other people's property.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Minimum No-Fault coverage

Minimum No-Fault coverage
CoverageMinimum
PIP$10,000
PDL$10,000
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Every owner or operator must:

  • Show proof of valid PIP and PDL when registering the vehicle
  • Carry at least $10,000 PIP and $10,000 PDL
  • Buy the policy from an insurer licensed to do business in Florida
  • Keep the insurance continuously for the whole registration period
  • Always have proof of Florida insurance handy when the vehicle is driven
Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

The law applies to you if you own a vehicle that has been in Florida for 90 days, consecutive or not, during the last 365 days.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Your insurer must tell FLHSMV when you renew, fail to renew, remove a registered vehicle from the policy, or cancel. If you don't then prove new coverage, your license and plate can be suspended for up to three years.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

If you stop insuring a vehicle, turn in its license plate at a service center before you cancel the insurance. That avoids a suspension and reinstatement fees.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Know the rule

Carry your Florida Insurance ID Card, or electronic proof on your phone, whenever you drive. Without it you can be cited and must prove in court that you were insured, or your license may be suspended.

Handbook p. 31 ↗

Getting caught uninsured

Getting caught uninsured
SituationConsequence
Convicted with no proof of insuranceLicense and plate suspended
Lifting that suspensionGet insurance + $150 to $500 reinstatement fee
Suspended 30 days or moreOfficer can seize your plate immediately
Driving while suspended1st-degree misdemeanor: up to 1 year jail, $1,000
Showing a canceled or fake insurance cardArrest; 2nd-degree misdemeanor
Handbook p. 32 ↗

Know the rule

If your license or plate is suspended for having no insurance, you can't get a temporary license for any reason, not even to go to work.

Handbook p. 32 ↗

Know the rule

You get a chance to prove coverage or have an administrative hearing, but you must request the hearing when you receive the suspension notice. Otherwise none is scheduled.

Handbook p. 32 ↗

Put it into practice

You're selling your car and plan to drop its insurance. First turn in the license plate at a driver license service center, then cancel the policy. Doing it the other way around can suspend your license and plate.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the minimum required Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage in Florida?
  1. $25,000
  2. $50,000
  3. $10,000
  4. $5,000

Answer: $10,000

Florida requires a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
What is the minimum required Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage in Florida?
  1. $5,000
  2. $20,000
  3. $50,000
  4. $10,000

Answer: $10,000

Florida requires a minimum of $10,000 in PDL coverage.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
You must comply with Florida's No-Fault insurance law if your vehicle has been in the state for how long?
  1. 90 days (consecutive or not) during the last 365 days
  2. One full calendar year
  3. 6 months straight
  4. 30 consecutive days

Answer: 90 days (consecutive or not) during the last 365 days

You must comply if your vehicle has been in Florida for 90 days, consecutive or non-consecutive, during the last 365 days.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
If your insurance company cancels your policy and you fail to provide proof of new coverage, what can happen to your driver license and plate?
  1. Nothing until you're stopped by police
  2. Suspension for up to 3 years
  3. You get a warning letter only
  4. They are permanently revoked

Answer: Suspension for up to 3 years

If you fail to provide proof of new insurance, your driver license and license plate can be suspended for up to three years.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
If your license and plate have been suspended for insurance for 30 days or more, what can a law enforcement officer do at a traffic stop?
  1. Nothing, only a judge can seize a plate
  2. Impound your vehicle permanently
  3. Seize your license plate immediately
  4. Issue a 10-day temporary permit

Answer: Seize your license plate immediately

If your driver license and plate have been under suspension for 30 days or more, an officer can seize your license plate immediately.

Handbook p. 32 ↗
If you stop maintaining insurance on a registered vehicle, you should cancel the insurance before turning in the license plate.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

You should turn in your plate before canceling your insurance to prevent suspension of your license and avoid reinstatement fees.

Handbook p. 31 ↗
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