Alameda County Superior Court
Traffic Court Self Help

Insurance Violations

1. When May an Insurance Violation be dismissed?
   

   All drivers in California are required to carry evidence of financial responsibility and to provide it to any law enforcement officer on request. See Vehicle Code Section 16028(a) and 16029(a). If you had insurance at the time of the citation but did not have proof of it to show the officer, you may provide proof of insurance to the clerk of the court by mail or in person. Upon payment of a required $10.00 dismissal fee, the charge will be dismissed.

2. What Does the Clerk's Office Accept as Evidence of Insurance?
   

   Evidence of insurance can be established by either

   A copy of the insurance policy, in the name of the defendant, valid on the date of the violation

   OR

   A copy of an identification card issued by the insurance company, in the name of the defendant indicating the:

   • Insurance policy number
   • Name of the insurance company
   • Effective date of the coverage
   • Expiration date of the coverage

   OR

   Written confirmation from the insurance company that the defendant was insured on the date of the violation (including a "covering note" pursuant to Insurance Code 382);

   OR

   A copy of a surety bond valid on the date of the violation, issued pursuant to the requirement of Vehicle Code section 16056 including the deposit number issued by DMV;

   OR

   A certificate of self-insurance issued by DMV (CVC 16052);

   OR

   Documents that show that the vehicle is owned or leased by, or under the direction of a public entity as defined in GC 811.2;

   OR

   Any of the documents specified above which can be related to the VEHICLE identified on the citation, whether such documents are in the name of the defendant or the owner of the vehicle.

3. What if I Did not Have Insurance on the Date of the Violation but I Have it Now?
   

   There are mandatory minimum fines that must be imposed by the court if you are convicted of an insurance violation. If you personally or the vehicle you were driving was not covered by insurance on the date of the citation, you are not eligible to have your charge dismissed even if you now have insurance. However, if you appear in court and show proof that you now have insurance, your fine may be reduced. Without proof of current insurance, the court must impose a fine greater than the minimum and may make other orders such as impoundment of the vehicle.