Driving without insurance: What are the risks?

Legal risks and fines

Road Safety points out that driving without insurance is an offense.

The penalty for the lack of insurance is a fine of €3,750, which may be accompanied by additional penalties: community service penalty, fine of days (with no possibility of accommodation outside the professional activity), suspension for a maximum period of 3 years (accommodation possible outside the professional activity), prohibition of driving certain vehicles for a maximum of 5 years, obligation to complete a course of road safety awareness at his own expense, confiscation of the vehicle if the driver is the owner.

Since 1^er november 2018, driving without insurance can be punished with a lump sum fine if this offense is committed for the 1^re times and if the driver is of age. It rises to €750 (minus to €600 for payment within 15 days or increased to €1,500 after 45 days). If several infringements have been committed, they are all punishable by a lump sum fine. In the event of a new offense, the criminal response may go as far as €7,500 a fine with additional penalties.

Financial risks

Victims of an accident caused by an uninsured driver are compensated by the Guarantee Fund of Compulsory Insurance (FGAO).

The uninsured person responsible for the accident is not compensated for his own injuries or property damage and must also reimburse the FGAO for all the sums it has incurred to compensate the victims. In the event of a serious accident, these sums can be very large. The driver will have to repay a monthly payment calculated on the basis of his income.