[Terr_]

Details might vary between different US states, but to generalize from my own experience, proof of liability insurance is never needed for periodic registration. It's asked for when:

1. You're in an actual accident.

2. You get pulled over by the police for some reason.

3. Before driving away a recently purchased car from a dealership and the car has a lien on it. It's a requirement of the bank that lent you the money using the car itself as collateral. If you purchased it fully, they don't care.

Fees for yearly car registration/renewals go towards transportation projects in the state/county/city.

TLDR: Americans can get away with driving uninsured on public roads for quite a while before getting caught.

[dragonwriter]

> Details might vary between different US states, but to generalize from my own experience, proof of liability insurance is never needed for periodic registration.

In California, it is required within 30 days of initial registration, and within 45 when the previous insurance was cancelled (insurers are required to share this information with DMV.) This is mandatory liability insurance (which you can substitute with a bond, instead); if you are buying a car on credit, the lender will generally require it be covered immediately, and that the coverage include sufficient coverage for the loss of the vehicle, not just legally required liability coverage, because the lender wants to be sure they are paid no matter what happens to the car.

[Projectiboga]

New York has a process where the insurance companies are required to notify the state if the policy lapses. There is exactly a 5 day grace period before an automatic suspension after this.