1. (a) A person that knowingly:

   1. (1) operates; or

   2. (2) permits the operation of;

      a motor vehicle on a public highway in Indiana without financial responsibility in effect as set forth in IC 9-25-4-4 commits a Class A infraction. However, the offense is a Class C misdemeanor if the person knowingly or intentionally violates this section and has a prior unrelated conviction or judgment under this section.

2. (b) Subsection (a)(2) applies to:

   1. (1) the owner of a rental company under IC 9-25-6-3 (f)(1); and
   2. (2) an employer under IC 9-25-6-3 (f)(2).
3. (c) In addition to any other penalty imposed on a person for violating this section, the court shall recommend the suspension of the person's driving privileges for at least ninety (90) days but not more than one (1) year. However, if, within the five (5) years preceding the conviction under this section, the person had a prior unrelated conviction under this section, the court shall recommend the suspension of the person's driving privileges and motor vehicle registration for one (1) year.

4. (d) Upon receiving the recommendation of the court under subsection (c), the bureau shall suspend the person's driving privileges and motor vehicle registration, as applicable, for the period recommended by the court. If no suspension is recommended by the court, or if the court recommends a fixed term that is less than the minimum term required by statute, the bureau shall impose the minimum period of suspension required under this article. The suspension of a person's driving privileges or motor vehicle registration, or both, may be imposed only one (1) time under this subsection or IC 9-25-6 for the same incident.

   [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-4-1-53.5(a).]

As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.59-1994, SEC.8; P.L.100-1997, SEC.1; P.L.157-2003, SEC.2; P.L.125-2012, SEC.281; P.L.59-2013, SEC.30; P.L.10-2014, SEC.3; P.L.188-2015, SEC.98; P.L.198-2016, SEC.547.