If you’ve been convicted of a DUI, you’ll have to prove that you have car insurance before you can get your license back.
In California, you are required to carry insurance in order to legally drive a car. So what happens to your insurance after your license is suspended after a DUI?
As most people know, license suspension is one of the potential consequences of a DUI conviction. An experienced Santa Ana DUI lawyer may be able to negotiate a reduction in the time of this suspension, but if your California driver’s license has been suspended for any length of time, you will need to prove that you still have car insurance in order for your license to be reinstated. This is done through a SR 22 form. This article explores when a SR 22 is required, how it can be obtained, and the costs of this form.
Proof of Insurance
A SR 22 form acts like a certificate of insurance. It is filed by your car insurance company with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to show that you meet the minimum requirements for car insurance liability coverage. A SR 22 is required whenever the DMV takes any action that requires you to prove that you are financially responsible (via insurance). Filing this form is required in order to have your license reinstated after a suspension or other DMV action. Typically, if the DMV requires a SR 22, it will be for a period of three years. The policy in question must cover any cars that are either registered in your name or that you routinely drive.
A SR 22 may be required in different situations where the DMV has taken action regarding your license. This could occur when you have a DUI or wet reckless conviction that leads to a license suspension or revocation, or if you have been declared a negligent operator due to an accumulation of too many points on your drivers’ license. If you are in a car accident and are uninsured, the DMV may also require a SR 22 form.
If you don’t own a car, but drive another person’s vehicle, you may still be required to obtain a SR 22 form. This would be issued after applying for a non-owner’s SR 22 liability policy. This insurance policy would provide coverage for whenever you are permitted to drive another person’s car.
SR 22 Process
A SR 22 form is provided by your insurance company directly to the DMV. To get this form, you must contact your insurer and ask them to issue it. This often leads to a review of your driving record, which may cause your insurance company to cancel your policy or increase your rates. Some car insurance companies do not provide SR 22 coverage because they consider people who need this form to be high risk drivers. In this situation, you will likely be required to pay a high insurance premium to obtain coverage. If your insurance company does issue a SR 22 form, it will likely be transmitted electronically to the DMV.
Benefits of a SR 22
In California, even if your license has been suspended due to a DUI or wet reckless conviction, you may still be able to drive on a restricted license. A Santa Ana DUI lawyer can help you obtain this license, which will allow you to drive to limited places, such as to and from work or school. If it is your first DUI offense, the DMV will generally issue the license if you abide by certain conditions — including filing a SR 22. For a second or third offense, a restricted license usually requires the installation of an ignition interlock device plus filing a SR 22 form.
Contact the Chambers Law Firm Today
DUI convictions have serious consequences — including the requirement to file a SR 22 form and potentially high insurance premiums to maintain coverage. This is why it is so critical to have an aggressive Santa Ana DUI attorney on your side. The Chambers Law Firm offers free initial consultations, where we can discuss what happened in your case and determine if you have a viable defense to a DUI charge. If you have been charged with DUI, contact the Chambers Law Firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com.
