Help with DMV situation?

Question

Back in May 2012 I had a car that had current plates but was in need of repair. I cancelled the insurance because the car was sitting and I didn't believe it was necessary to have it. Months later I get a request from Virginia DMV about providing proof of insurance. Of course I was unable to do so and they told me they were going to suspend my license unless I paid the $500 uninsured motorist fee, turned in the plates or I requested a hearing. So I requested a hearing and they send me a letter stating it could be 6 months before I received my hearing and that they would not suspend my license until after they made a decision. This was in June/July 2012. I turned in the plates to that car in August 2012 when I got a new car. I have never received any notification of hearing or anything. My address did not change until March 2013 when I moved to where I live now. I sold that car I had just before I moved and I updated my information with DMV when I moved as well and I've never received anything about it. I have since then gotten a new car and went online today to check to see if the dealer registered the car in my name and ordered my plates yet. This is when I found out my license was suspended due to this insurance stuff with the old car! They now want me to pay the $500 fine plus $145 reinstatement fee. I originally asked for the hearing for the this because I have the paperwork for when the car was repaired and such and I didn't know and didn't feel like a broken down car needed insurance. I moved 8 months after I received the letter about being granted a hearing and never received any notice of a hearing time or date. Is there anything I can do in this situation? I don't have $645 to pay to reinstate my license and I don't believe what they've done is fair. Any suggestions? And no, I don't need people to tell me I shouldn't have cancelled the insurance or to point out my mistakes. I'm adult, I realize that now, obviously. I'm just asking for any advice from anyone who might have dealt with this situation or something similar or maybe even someone who works for VA DMV.

Update:

Let me add a few things. First, my license was only suspended within the past two weeks. I make it a habit to check the DMV website as often as I can. Second, I DID update my contact information with them. When I asked about moving they said just change it online and anything we need to contact you about will be routed to that address. My husband has been doing most of the driving anyway. With that said, I still believe that as long as I can prove the car wasn't driven I shouldn't have to provide proof of insurance. It broke down on my trip as I was moving and wasn't driven since then. I got it fixed months later and still have the receipt to prove it.

Marteen J · Accepted Answer

When you are involved in any legal case (criminal or civil), you must let the court know if you change address so they can send you legal documents and info, such as court dates.  If you miss a court date and you do not have an attorney, you are automatically found guilty.  Although this is not a criminal case, it is still a hearing involving "the State of Virginia versus YOU.

Even though you updated your driver license when you moved, it is still your responsibility to notify everyone of your new address.

It really is pretty simple, if you do not valid insurance, you must turn in your tag or they will suspend your driver license. Consider yourself lucky you did not get pulled over these last few months. An officer would have towed your current car and you would have spent the night in jail for driving with a suspended license (a $100 tow fee and a criminal charge to go to court on and lawyer fees).

Lesson learned the hard way

Now, can you get out of it?  probably, if you want to spend at least $1000 on an attorney to get it resolved. I am sure the consult is free though.

Sooooo,  pay one or pay the other.

Anonymous · Answer

Basically it boils down to the fact that you uninsured your vehicle and didn't follow the correct procedure under the law. It doesn't matter what you "believed", you were in the wrong. Pay the fees, consider it a lesson learned and move on. 

Life isn't fair, get used to it.

? · Answer

for my area, what i might do is touch the dep. of motorcars on your state and pose this very question to them. this ought to provide you an precise answer and eliminate any grotesque surprises. each and every state has their little "quirks" on how they elect issues carried out and frequently they don't do issues logically or with sturdy reason.

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Help with DMV situation?

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