Having your license suspended can truly be a life-changing event. It may occur as a result of poor decisions made while driving, like driving under the influence or excessively speeding. However, it can also be suspended due to unpaid parking tickets or even other legal issues, such as unpaid child support or drug charges. Whatever the reason, you’re given a sentence that requires you to find a new way to live your life, get to work, and get around town. If an accident was involved with the cause of your license being suspended, you may be looking to replace the vehicle such that you can drive as soon as you are able. The question becomes, is that even an option?

 

The Technicality

 

Technically, there is nothing preventing you from purchasing a vehicle while your license is suspended. Any dealership can legally take your money and sell you a vehicle. You can claim ownership of the title immediately. So, the short answer is yes. You can BUY a vehicle without insurance.

However, can you get the vehicle off the lot? Can you purchase insurance for the vehicle? Can you register the vehicle? While you can legally purchase the vehicle, the vehicle will be stuck on the dealer’s lot until you have your license reinstated. You will be unable to register the vehicle without insurance. Furthermore, you’ll be unable to obtain insurance for the vehicle without a valid driver’s license. Without a valid insurance policy or registration, you’ll be stuck walking home with the vehicle staying at the lot until all is corrected and cleared.

As with many things, there is an exception to this rule. If you have a license that authorizes you to drive to and from work during your suspension, you may be able to obtain insurance, which would allow you to purchase a vehicle while your license is suspended.

 

Alternative Ideas

 

There is an alternative to purchasing a car on your own with a suspended license. For instance, you could have your spouse or trusted relative purchase the vehicle in his or her name. This will allow this person to register and insure the vehicle without putting your name anywhere near the documents. Once you’re allowed to drive again, you can “buy” the vehicle from your relative for $1 -or a small fee- and get everything insured in your name.

Another option would be to keep the vehicle in the name of the original buyer, and you can purchase a non-owner insurance policy to allow you to drive the vehicle. This may be a good idea if your insurance premium would be exceptionally high as a result of the suspension. Consequently, you pay smaller premium coverage while having the ability to drive a vehicle after a suspension. You’d need to discuss this option with your insurance carrier to determine what guidelines need to be followed to drive the vehicle legally.

Whatever you do, do not attempt to drive the vehicle while your license is suspended. If you were involved in an accident or any type of driving mishap, you’ll lose your license for an even longer period, and your rates will skyrocket. You may even get to a point where you may have to be imprisoned, depending on the cause of the accident.

 

Patience and Intelligence

 

In all reality, the issue is not whether you can or cannot purchase a vehicle with a suspended license, the issue should be whether you should. While you could find a way to purchase the vehicle and get it to your home, you are taking a great risk by driving that vehicle, even back to your home, without a valid driver’s license. In the case of risk versus reward, it’s rare the risk will outweigh the reward.

In addition, make sure any vehicle you purchase is properly registered and insured. Driving without the proper insurance can be as detrimental to your driving freedom as driving on a suspended license.

To learn more about getting a car after your license is reinstated and other car insurance options, contact us at Protective Agency at (877) 739-9367. Our licensed, experienced, non-pushy research team will be happy to answer any questions you have.