Can You Get Car Insurance Without a License in Maryland?

Can you get car insurance without a license in Maryland?

Technically, yes, you can get car insurance without a license in Maryland if you own a car and name a licensed primary driver on your policy. But you can’t drive any vehicle in Maryland without a license. If you buy coverage without a license, the insurer also may require you to add an endorsement to the policy that excludes you from coverage.

Maryland law requires you to provide proof of car insurance before you can register it.^[1] You may also need to provide your vehicle title or title application, completed registration application, Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate, and payment of registration fees, taxes, and plate fees.

Remember that car insurance protects you financially if someone driving your car causes an accident, but it never gives you permission to drive the car without a license.

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How to get car insurance without a license in Maryland

Unlicensed vehicle owners in Maryland can generally buy car insurance. The insurance company will typically require you to name a primary driver and list yourself as an excluded driver if you’re an unlicensed vehicle owner.

You can follow these steps to insure your vehicle without having a driver’s license in Maryland:

1. Select your primary driver. Your primary driver is the person who will use your vehicle the most, such as a family member, partner, or roommate. This is who you’ll name as the primary driver on the policy.

2. Gather the information you’ll need to apply. The insurer will need your vehicle’s make, model, title number, and VIN. You’ll also need to provide your own government-issued ID, past insurance details, and the primary driver’s license number and past claims history.

3. Compare rate quotes from several different insurers. If not having a driver’s license makes completing online quote requests difficult, you can contact a local agent or call insurance companies directly.

4. Explain your situation to the agent. Tell the agent why you need insurance despite not having a driver’s license, and be ready to list yourself as an excluded driver.

5. Buy your coverage. Once you’ve solidified the coverage details, you can purchase your policy and receive proof of insurance.

Maryland auto insurance and licensing laws

Maryland has a graduated licensing process for new drivers. Teens first earn a learner’s permit and undergo driver’s education before taking a driving test to earn a provisional license.^[2] After driving with a provisional license for at least 18 months with no convictions, drivers 18 and older then graduate to a full driver’s license.^[3]

New state residents have 60 days to exchange their out-of-state licenses for Maryland driver’s licenses.^[4]

Vehicle owners must bring proof of insurance to the Motor Vehicle Administration to register newly titled vehicles or transfer out-of-state registrations.^[5] You’ll receive license plates with your registration. Drivers pay hefty fines for failing to register vehicles or not maintaining continuous coverage on registered vehicles.

Maryland is an at-fault state, which means the at-fault driver’s insurance company will cover the other driver’s injury and loss after an accident. All registered vehicles in Maryland must have at least the following minimum amount of liability coverage.^[6]

Coverage Type	Required Minimum
Bodily injury liability	$30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident
Property damage liability	$15,000 per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage	Equal to required liability amounts

Agent Tip: Does Maryland also require personal injury protection coverage?

“Maryland drivers don’t legally have to buy personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, but state law makes insurance companies offer it to all drivers buying a policy. When you’re going through the process of selecting your coverage from an insurer, you’ll have the option to opt out of coverage. But you may want to opt in to this coverage, since it can help cover your medical costs and lost wages if you find yourself injured after a car accident.”

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Anuj DesaiLicensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent

Anuj Desai's bio

Legal risks of driving without a license or insurance in Maryland

Here are the specific penalties you can face for violating Maryland’s registration, insurance, and licensing rules:

• Unregistered vehicle penalty: $150–$290 fee^[7]

• Uninsured driving penalty: $200 fee for the first 30 days, then $7 for each additional day (up to $3,500 annually), possible registration suspension, and vehicle flags (which prevent you from registering the vehicle, among other things)^[8]

• Unlicensed driver penalty: Up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 for first offense^[9]

Buying insurance as a vehicle owner and listing yourself as an excluded driver is much safer than driving without a license or proper insurance. In addition to the penalties listed above, violations could increase future insurance rates and make it difficult to find coverage.

Common situations when Maryland residents need insurance without a license

You may need to purchase car insurance without having a driver’s license for a number of reasons. Here are several common scenarios for Maryland residents:

• You want to keep your car registered so that family members can drive while you have a revoked or suspended license.

• You’re maintaining coverage on your car so a caregiver or family member can use it, even after age or disability prevents you from driving.

• You’ve recently moved to Maryland and haven’t transferred your driver’s license yet.

• You want to own a car and have someone else drive it.

• You’re buying a car for your teen or young adult who doesn’t yet have a license.

• You own a valuable classic car that you keep in storage.

• You keep an unused car stored on your property, but your HOA doesn’t allow unregistered vehicles.

All these situations require you to have insurance, even though you won’t be the one driving the vehicle. Be sure to name the person who drives it most as the primary driver. You should also list any other household drivers on your policy. Other drivers who don’t have their own car but might occasionally drive yours may want to purchase a non-owner policy.

Insurance options for Maryland vehicle owners without a license

Vehicle owners who don’t have a driver’s license can typically buy coverage from a private insurer. But if that doesn’t work, you can look into purchasing insurance through Maryland’s state program.

Here’s a look at insurance options for unlicensed vehicle owners in Maryland.

• Standard insurance that lists a primary driver: This is the option most people will use when buying a car for someone else to drive.

• Stored-vehicle coverage: You’ll need the minimum required insurance if you keep the car registered while in storage.

• Non-owner car insurance: People who drive your car but aren’t listed on your policy and don’t own a car should consider non-owner car insurance. It covers injuries and damage they cause to someone else or their property, but it won’t cover damage to your car.

• High-risk insurance companies: If the primary driver on your policy has speeding tickets, a DUI, or a license suspension in their driving history, you might need an insurer that accepts high-risk drivers. Not all do.

• Maryland Auto Insurance Fund (MAIF): This is the state insurance program for licensed drivers who can’t successfully obtain coverage from a private insurer.

If you’re not sure which is the best option for you, seek professional advice from an independent insurance agent.

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What is the Maryland Auto Insurance Fund (MAIF)?

The Maryland Auto Insurance Fund (MAIF) is a state-run program for Maryland residents who are unable to find auto insurance through a private insurer because of issues such as:

• Poor credit history

• Troubled driving record

• At-fault claim history

• High-risk driver on policy

Though MAIF is its legal name, the organization refers to itself as Maryland Auto Insurance or Maryland Auto, dropping the “Fund” to make it clear it doesn’t operate on Maryland tax dollars. Though Maryland Auto isn’t an insurer, it works with private insurance companies to cover Maryland residents who meet the following eligibility criteria:^[10]

• Have a valid driver’s license or own/lease a Maryland-registered car

• Have been turned down, canceled, or non-renewed by at least two insurance companies because of something other than failure to pay a premium

If you currently have a suspended or revoked license, you’ll have to exclude yourself from coverage until the state reinstates your license. It’s important to understand that Maryland Auto doesn’t guarantee coverage. You’ll need to keep the vehicle registered and meet other requirements to maintain your coverage. 

Maryland car insurance without a license FAQs