Sometimes I feel like these rules are made by people who never actually drive outside city limits.
Honestly, I kinda get where you’re coming from, but in my experience, most troopers are pretty reasonable if you can show *something* that proves you’re insured—even if it’s a screenshot. I’ve had one just jot down my info and radio it in when my app wouldn’t load. Paper backup is smart, but I wouldn’t stress too much about having the “latest” version unless your insurer changed something major. As for expired cards, they usually check the system if you say you’re paid up, but yeah, it depends on the mood of the officer and maybe how cold it is outside...
I get that most officers are decent about it, but honestly, I’d rather not risk it. I’ve heard stories where someone got a ticket just because their card was a month out of date, even though they were insured. Maybe it’s overkill, but I keep a current paper copy in the glove box just in case my phone dies or there’s no signal. It’s just one less thing to worry about when you’ve got kids in the backseat and you’re already stressed.
Honestly, I’ve seen folks get tickets for expired cards even when their policy was active—it’s a pain to sort out later. I always tell people to keep a fresh paper copy handy, just in case. Tech’s great, but it fails at the worst times.
Tech’s great, but it fails at the worst times.
Couldn’t agree more. I tried relying on the insurance app once—guess when my phone decided to freeze? Right in front of a trooper. Ended up with a warning, but it could’ve been a ticket. I get that digital is convenient, but a printed card in the glove box is just cheap insurance against headaches. Not worth risking a fine over a dead battery or bad signal.
Honestly, I’ve been wondering about this too. I just got my first policy and the agent said digital proof is fine, but now I’m second-guessing it. What if you’re out in the middle of nowhere and your phone’s dead? Does South Dakota law actually require a paper copy, or is digital always accepted? I’d rather not risk it, but carrying both seems like overkill… or is it just smart?
