Signed by Governor Bill Haslam

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the penalties for driving without motor vehicle liability insurance.

Highlights:

• Increases the fine for driving without insurance from $100 to $300, effective July 1, 2015 (Secs. 3 & 11).

• Authorizes the Department of Revenue to establish an online insurance verification program that verifies an individual’s possession of a motor vehicle liability insurance policy using certain information, including, but not limited to, the following information (Sec. 1):
• The insurer’s National Association of Insurance Commissioners code;
• The insurance policy numbers or policy key; and
• The vehicle identification number.

• Specifies that the use of the insurance verification program and its information is confined to the Departments of Revenue, Safety, and Commerce and Insurance as well as law enforcement and the judiciary (Sec. 1).

• Requires an owner of an uninsured motor vehicle to provide the Department of Revenue one of the following forms of verification within 15 days of notification by the Department (Sec. 1):
• Proof of financial security in a form approved by the Department;  
• Proof of exemption from the owner or operator’s financial security requirements under this chapter;  
• Proof that the motor vehicle is no longer in the owner’s possession; or  
• A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the vehicle is not in use on any public road.

• Requires the Department of Revenue to develop and implement an online insurance verification program by January 1, 2017 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text