AUSTIN—A pilot project that found more than 25 percent of Austin area motorists driving without insurance has been expanded statewide to crack down on millions of drivers who flout the state’s mandatory insurance law.

TexasSure, the state’s new insurance-verification program, makes it more likely that those without liability insurance for their cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles will get a ticket, state insurance, transportation and public-safety officials announced Thursday.

“The TexasSure database is a fantastic tool that will help law enforcement identify those who are driving without insurance, or with an expired or phony (proof-of-insurance) document.” Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Louis Sanchez said in Friday editions of The Dallas Morning News.

The TexasSure computer database matches the names of all insured drivers and their insurance companies with their license-plate numbers and VINs.

Law enforcement officers who stop drivers for a violation or motorists involved in an accidents can enter their VIN or license plate number into the TexasSure database to determine whether or not they have insurance.

Fines can range from $125 to $1,000 and multiple offenders can be arrested.

The program is funded with a $1 fee all Texans pay when renewing their vehicle registrations.