Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1785 (2026)
Proof of financial responsibility following accident.
✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 1785. Proof of financial responsibility following accident.
If the department determines that the owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident requiring notice to a police department pursuant to section 3746 (relating to immediate notice of accident to police department) did not maintain financial responsibility on the motor vehicle at the time of the accident, the department shall suspend the operating privilege of the owner, where applicable, and the department shall revoke the registration of the vehicle.
(Feb. 12, 1984, P.L.53, No.12, eff. Oct. 1, 1984)
Cross References. Section 1785 is referred to in sections 1553, 1783 of this title.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 21
cases, 1985–1998 · leading case: Jennings v. Commonwealth, Dep't of Transp., Bureau of Driver Licensing, 715 A.2d 552 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1998).
Jennings v. Commonwealth, Dep't of Transp., Bureau of Driver Licensing, 715 A.2d 552 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1998). “Jennings (Jennings) appeals from an order of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County (trial coui’t) which denied his appeal and affirmed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation’s (DOT) three month suspension of Jennings’ operating privilege…”
Dep't of Transp. v. Walker, 584 A.2d 1080 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1990). “Walker (licensee) pursuant to Section 1785 of the Vehicle Code (Code), as amended, 75 Pa.C.S. § 1785. 1 On September 8, 1989, the licensee was involved in an accident while driving an uninsured motor vehicle.”
State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. v. Universal Underwriters Ins., 701 A.2d 1330 (Pa. 1997). “75 Pa.C.S. § 1785. 9 . We also note that the Superior Court found that the language "required by law to be an INSURED” was ambiguous and therefore construed it against Universal as the drafter in favor of finding coverage for Hill.”
Commonwealth v. Thomas, 600 A.2d 237 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1991). “This case presents a question of first impression in Pennsylvania: whether enforcement of section 1785 of the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, 75 Pa.C.S. § 1785, 1 which provides for suspension of operating privileges of uninsured owners, is preempted by the…”
Com., Dept. of Transp. v. Riley, 615 A.2d 905 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1992). “75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1785 and 1786(a). The purpose of Sections 1785 and 1786(a) is to ensure that some minimal level of compensation would be available for victims of motor vehicle accidents.”
Com., Dept. of Transp. v. Porter, 630 A.2d 945 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1993). “The trial court held that Hill’s violation of Section 1785 of the Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § 1785, should be excused because the lapse was not Hill’s fault and he had acted responsibly and in good faith in attempting to obtain insurance.”
Commonwealth v. Vogt, 535 A.2d 750 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1988). “On or about October 8, 1985, Vogt was advised by DOT that her operators license and motor vehicle registration would be suspended pursuant to Section 1785 of the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa. C. S. §1785 because Vogt had failed to maintain financial responsibility on her motor vehicle.”
Commonwealth, Dep't of Transp. v. Hill, 543 A.2d 211 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1988). “DOT suspended his drivers license pursuant to 75 Pa. C. S. §1785, which provides that if the owner does not “maintain financial responsibility on the motor vehicle at the time of the accident, the department shall suspend his operating privilege.”
Com., Dept. of Transp. v. Slack, 623 A.2d 364 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1992). “75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1785 and 1786(a). The purpose of Sections 1785 and 1786(a) is to ensure that some minimal level of compensation would be available for victims of motor vehicle accidents.”
Sweeney v. Commonwealth, Dep't of Transp., 549 A.2d 1001 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1988). “75 Pa. C. S. §1785 reads: If the department determines that the owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident requiring notice to a police department pursuant to section 3746 (relating to immediate notice of accident to police department) did not maintain financial…”
Commonwealth v. Portella, 541 A.2d 59 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1988). “DOT notified appellee that his operating privilege was being suspended and his vehicle registration was being revoked pursuant to Section 1785 of the Vehicle Code (Code), 75 Pa. C. S. §1785, for failing to maintain insurance on his motor vehicle (a motorcycle) at the *137 time…”
Commonwealth v. Ratliff, 538 A.2d 599 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1988). “DOT suspended his drivers license pursuant to 75 Pa. C. S. §1785, which provides that if the owner does not “maintain financial *123 responsibility on the motor vehicle at the time of the accident, the department shall suspend his operating privilege.”
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