Governor Shapiro has signed the proposed bipartisan legislation from Chair of the House Transportation Committee, state Representative Ed Neilson. This legislation requires PennDOT to create an online system that will verify vehicle insurance. The bill will take effect in 2027
House Bill 710 had been co-authored alongside minority Chair of the House Transportation Committee, state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff who had passed both the House and Senate unanimously.
As of now drivers who cancel their vehicle insurance of the start date must be reported to PennDOT. From there a written notice will be sent to the driver to ensure they provide an updated proof of insurance. Without proof vehicle registration will be suspended.
“Oftentimes, vehicle owners don’t respond to PennDOT’s letter because it was lost in the mail, ignored, or misunderstood. As a result, they may face a three-month registration suspension without even knowing it,” Neilson said. “In many cases, drivers only learn of the suspension when pulled over by police, which adds an additional three-month driver’s license suspension and a fine on top of everything else.”
This legislation will also address the issue of thousands of notices being sent to drivers even without a lapse in coverage. The online system will verify auto insurance and insurance details can be confirmed electronically by PennDOT or law enforcement.
“This bill is the result of over three years of bipartisan negotiations between all four caucuses, PennDOT, and the automobile insurance companies to reach a solution,” Neilson said. “This new law will provide real relief to Pennsylvania’s drivers.”
“I want to thank Gov. Shapiro, PA Sec. of Transportation, Mike Carroll, state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, state Sens. Judy Ward, Marty Flynn, and everyone who helped push this over the finish line,” Neilson said.