Pending AOS but got a fine for no insurance and exp registration

[JayH77 0]

Pending AOS but got pulled over today and recieved a traffic citation because car with no insurance and car registration was expired. It was a family members car I was using and had said i would need to appear in court.  I had my Australian license with me so that's what I gave. I didnt know it was expired otherwise I wouldve never driven the car.

Kind of nervous and scared any advice? 

[confusedshoes 193]

First of all I am very sorry to hear that. While a misdemeanor isn't as serious as a felony you can potentially be deemed inadmissible. Hopefully The judge is understanding, regardless I would seek legal council. 

[Mike E 11,742]

Definitely get a lawyer. Generally in the USA the owner is responsible for getting insurance, so a lawyer might be able to get that aspect of the charge dismissed. Getting a dismissal of driving with an expired registration will be harder since the sticker on the plate is expired and hence it should have been clear (not that I am saying I or most people check the plate before they drive ... one time I had a plate stolen from a rental car and only noticed it because I later had a flat tire).

 

But traffic law is arcane and varies widely. Hence, get  a lawyer.

Edited May 16, 2019 by Mike E

[Umka36 781]

Do you have you own car insurance?

[Mike E 11,742]

3 hours ago, Umka36 said:

Do you have you own car insurance?

Yes for the cars I own. It's the law. When I don't own cars, I don't have car insurance except when renting cars (provided for free with my credit card).

Edited May 16, 2019 by Mike E

[Umka36 781]

54 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Yes for the cars I own. It's the law. When I don't own cars, I don't have car insurance except when renting cars (provided for free with my credit card).

I was asking the OP actually as it can be used in court that they had insurance coverage.

[Falcon Cara 378]

19 hours ago, JayH77 said:

Pending AOS but got pulled over today and recieved a traffic citation because car with no insurance and car registration was expired. It was a family members car I was using and had said i would need to appear in court.  I had my Australian license with me so that's what I gave. I didnt know it was expired otherwise I wouldve never driven the car.

Kind of nervous and scared any advice? 

Not much they can do to you if you don't have a US Driver Licenses

 

They can't revoke your DL, they can't suspend it, the ball is in your court

[JayH77 0]

I'll definitely look into it. Family member got the registration taken care of today as well as the insurance. Unsure if that will help my case but hopefully it does.

[NikLR 13,231]

On 5/16/2019 at 7:39 PM, JayH77 said:

I'll definitely look into it. Family member got the registration taken care of today as well as the insurance. Unsure if that will help my case but hopefully it does.

You dont have a timeline so I have no idea how long youve been in the USA.  However you should be aware that each state has a requirement of how long until you are considered a resident and when you need to have a DL from that state.  For instance in CO after 90 days you're considered a resident and now have 30 days to obtain a state driver's license in a variety of manners. Some states it is 30 days period.  You normally need to prove residency and legal presence which you need an EAD for.   So you may have been driving illegally.  A DL will normally expire on your birthday. 

 

Edited May 18, 2019 by NikLR

[JayH77 0]

I panicked and said I was visiting. I didnt have any documentation with me except a license. He just took my driver's license and gave me a traffic citation and said you have to turn up to court to get plead and get a fine. Almost thought I was going to jail 🤦‍♀️

On 5/18/2019 at 6:27 AM, NikLR said:

You dont have a timeline so I have no idea how long youve been in the USA.  However you should be aware that each state has a requirement of how long until you are considered a resident and when you need to have a DL from that state.  For instance in CO after 90 days you're considered a resident and now have 30 days to obtain a state driver's license in a variety of manners. Some states it is 30 days period.  You normally need to prove residency and legal presence which you need an EAD for.   So you may have been driving illegally.  A DL will normally expire on your birthday.