A. Requirements: No owner of a motor vehicle required to be registered shall operate or permit the operation of his motor vehicle without having in full force and effect a motor vehicle liability policy in amounts provided by Wyoming Statutes 31-9-405(b) or a bond in amounts provided by Wyoming Statutes 31-9-102(a)(xi).
No person shall operate a motor vehicle that is required to be registered without having in full force and effect a motor vehicle liability policy in amounts provided by Wyoming Statutes 31-9-405(b) or a bond in amounts provided by Wyoming Statutes 31-9-102(a)(xi). (Ord. 7-2004, 9-16-2004)
B. Penalty: A violation of this section constitutes a class B misdemeanor punishable as set forth in subsection 1-4-1A2 of this code. Additionally, in the event of a second or subsequent violation of this section, the judge may require the defendant to deliver the registration and license plates of the vehicle involved to the county treasurer for the county where the citation was issued, and the registration and license plates shall be held by the county treasurer until such time as the judge determines that the defendant has met all obligations imposed by law. (Ord. 2012-11, 1-17-2013)
C. Defense: Excusable neglect or mistake by another is a defense for any violation of this section. If evidence of excusable neglect or mistake by another is presented and the defendant is convicted, the court may consider this evidence in imposing a penalty under this section. The judge may suspend part or all of the sentence under this section and place the defendant on probation subject to conditions imposed by the judge which may include a condition that the defendant shall deliver the registration and license plates of the vehicle involved to the county treasurer for the county where the citation was issued.
D. Exemptions: This section does not apply to:
1. Self-insurers pursuant to Wyoming Statutes 31-9-414;
2. A vehicle owned by the United States government, any state or political subdivision thereof which is self-insured;
3. A vehicle meeting the requirements of Wyoming Statutes 31-9-408 and 31-9-409;
4. A commercial vehicle registered or proportionally registered in this and any other jurisdiction provided the vehicle is covered by a vehicle insurance policy complying with the laws of any other jurisdiction in which it is registered;
5. A vehicle owned by a nonresident and registered in a state requiring insurance if a vehicle insurance policy meeting requirements of the laws and regulations of that state is in effect or unless it otherwise complies with the laws of that state concerning compulsory financial responsibility. The department shall report any violation of this section to the motor vehicle administrator in the state wherein the vehicle is registered. A vehicle owned by a nonresident and registered in a state not requiring insurance is exempt from this section. (Ord. 7-2004, 9-16-2004)