Fines for even one day of lapsed car insurance will be $200, according to Cleburne County officials.

During the monthly work session of the Cleburne County Commission Monday night, Ryan Robertson, probate judge and commission chairman, informed the commission that the state is tightening fines for motorists who let their car insurance lapse even a single day.

Robertson said the fine for insurance coverage lapse for just for one day is $200.

“We of course have to administer that and we get 15 percent, which is $30 ... it takes up time and people who switch from Progressive to Geico or Geico to Progressive, sometimes they will lose a day and it costs them an extra $200 and these people are mad at me,” said Robertson.

He said that the $200 per vehicle fine is a “little steep,” especially for individuals who own multiple vehicles.

If the vehicle was parked and not being driven there was a lot more leniency and the probate office, “could almost take their word for it,” he said.

“It’s just a mess. We can explain all day long, ‘Hey, this is the state,’ but they’re looking at me,” he said.

Robertson said he hopes to put the new stringent insurance requirements on the county website to alert motorists.

“Today a customer had to pay $400,” Robertson said.