MADISON, Wis. -- A major change in the state's insurance laws goes into effect on Tuesday when drivers will be required to have insurance on their cars for the first time in Wisconsin.

Every motorist in the state will now be required to have auto liability coverage on their vehicle in hopes of having all drivers have recourse if they're in a crash. The question remains whether those who don't have it will go out to get it?

Driving is a necessity for many on a busy Memorial Day weekend, and some said that they believe having insurance to drive is just as important.

"I just think everybody should have it," said Bob Burns, of Madison. "I thought we already had that law."

In fact, Wisconsin is the second-to-last state in the nation to require auto liability insurance.

"I think it should be mandatory, everybody should have insurance," said Sandra Williams. "It's too dangerous to drive without it."

Only about 15 percent of drivers in Wisconsin don't have insurance. That's about the same as the national average, where all but one state has had this law in place, officials said.

"Opinions vary as to whether or not it should be mandatory in the state of Wisconsin, and that's why we've been holding out for so long because our drivers have been good at buying the insurance without being told," said Martha Lester-Mittenzwei, insurance program instructor at Madison College.

Despite those statistics, the law becomes effective at midnight, but it's unknown how many of those uninsured drivers will actually buy coverage.

"For the most part, cost becomes a factor for people and that influences their buying decisions," said Lester-Mittenzwei. "If they can't afford the auto insurance, then they may opt to go without it."

If they do, they'll face a $200 fine charged if they're ever pulled over, or worse, if they're in a crash. That is why some think the law is a good idea in the first place.

"People that don't have insurance, that really messes up the people that do have insurance," said Jason Dillman, of Madison. "I believe if it's mandatory that everybody has insurance, things will go smoothly when people get in wrecks or something like that."

Law enforcement will now ask to see proof of insurance during any traffic stop. If you don't have coverage, you could be fined $200, or if you simply don't have proof you could be fined $10. There is also a minimum level for that liability coverage. As of Jan. 1 of this year, drivers are required to carry $15,000 for property damage, $50,000 for death or injury of one person, and $100,000 for multiple people.