If you're without car insurance in Los Angeles you may now also find yourself with a hefty fine. Carrying a minimum of liability car insurance is mandatory in California but many drivers choose to go without it. In fact, there are more than twelve million drivers on the road in California and nearly one fourth of them are uninsured. But beware, getting by without car insurance on Los Angeles streets is going to be a little trickier now.

Being caught at the scene of an accident or at any sort of traffic stop without proof of car insurance has been cause for an expensive ticket for several years. Not having insurance at all can result in having your license suspended for a year. Once the suspension has been lifted an affidavit of Social Responsibility (SR-22) will have to be filed with the California State Department of Motor Vehicles in order for you to receive car insurance. This document attests to the fact that you carry the mandatory minimum car insurance on your vehicle. There is a fee in addition to your car insurance premium for receiving an SR-22.

In the past many uninsured drivers have slipped under the radar for car insurance in Los Angeles by carrying fraudulent proof of insurance statements. Sometimes they would pay the down payment or one premium just to get the car insurance card and then stop making payments; some people wouldn't even go that far but just buy fake insurance documents. As of July 1 though all patrol officers will be able to check electronically to make sure your car insurance is legit.

Fortunately, there are two ways in which car insurance in Los Angeles may become more affordable. First, L. A. drivers are eligible for inclusion in a trial program which offers extremely low cost car insurance to drivers who fall into certain income categories. Second, and perhaps more important for most people looking for car insurance in Los Angeles, there is legislation afoot which may change the way in which the statewide rates for car insurance are set. Currently, the zip code in which you live is one of the major components in deciding how much car insurance you will pay. The proposed changes would figure your premium based predominantly on your driving record. As a result many drivers could see their car insurance rates in Los Angeles change for the better.

Still, it's not a good idea to drive without car insurance in Los Angeles. Having a vehicle is an important part of the California lifestyle. Don't jeopardize your right to drive by going without car insurance.