What is an insurance lapse in New York State? 
An insurance lapse means that there is no liability insurance coverage for a vehicle registered in New York State for a period of time. If there is a lapse of insurance for a vehicle registered to you , the DMV can suspend your registration and driver license. 

What can cause an insurance lapse? 
Any amount of time that your vehicle is registered but not insured can cause a lapse in your insurance coverage. An insurance lapse can occur between the date your insurance is cancelled and the date your new insurance begins you surrender your vehicle plates your registration expires ' other proof' of insurance for example, a vehicle registered in another state, or a vehicle repossessed or impounded is valid your insurance company reinstates your insurance coverage A lapse in insurance coverage can also occur between the date you register your vehicle and the date your new insurance coverage begins. 1 See Respond to DMV insurance letters and orders [1] for instructions on how to resolve an insurance lapse. If the registration suspension period is more than 90 days , you must surrender your vehicle registration and plates. The DMV will also suspend your driver license. Your driver license will be suspended for the same number of days as your registration suspension. To reinstate your driver license , you must pay the DMV a $50 license suspension termination fee [2]. 

What will happen if I drive without insurance (with lapsed insurance)? 
Do not drive any vehicle that is not insured. you could be arrested or ticketed your vehicle can be impounded by a law enforcement officer the DMV will revoke your registration and your driver license 

What will happen if I or my uninsured vehicle is in a traffic crash? 
Your license and registration will be suspended , and you will need to pay fines and penalties. If your vehicle does not have insurance and you or someone else driving your uninsured vehicle are involved in a traffic crash

user: How do I avoid an insurance lapse?

assistant:  Remember this simple rule: no insurance , no plates !
 keep the address for your vehicle registration and driver license current with the DMV
have liability coverage from a company licensed by the NYS Department of Financial Services and authorized by the NYS DMV out - of - state coverage is never acceptable on any vehicle registered in New York

user: How do I avoid an insurance lapse?

assistant: Do you want to immediately deliver your license plate and vehicle plates?

user: Do not drive any vehicle that is not insured .
you could be arrested or ticketed
your vehicle can be impounded by a law enforcement officer

assistant:  your vehicle can be impounded by a law enforcement officer

user: If my license is suspended for a lapse of insurance, what can I do?

assistant: your registration has not expired

user: yes

assistant:  you must surrender your plates.
A driver license becomes suspended when the lapse is 91 days or more or if the time period of the lapse has not yet been determined 

user: If my registration is suspended for a lapse of insurance, can another person register the vehicle?

assistant:  No. The DMV will not issue a new registration if the DMV determines that the purpose of the new registration is to avoid the suspension