Most people see driving as a right, but it is not. It is a privilege the state extends to its citizens after meeting statutory requirements for driving, such as age, driver training, and acquiring a driving permit. Just as the state extends the privilege, it can withdraw it for violating the set rules.
In most cases, the DMV revokes or suspends a license depending on the moving violation or the court’s directive. The end of the suspension doesn’t mean the driver has a clean slate. Often, the driver will be required to carry SR-22 car insurance.
What Exactly Is SR-22 Insurance?
If you had your license suspended and are looking to have it reinstated, you could be hearing of SR-22 insurance for the first time and wondering what it is. SR-22, though often referred to as insurance, is not technically an insurance policy. It is a form issued by the insurer to an individual as proof they have met minimum liability coverage requirements.
While SR-22 may not be expensive, having it can see your s increase significantly. But you do not have to contend with inflated prices.
You can get some of the best deals on SR-22 insurance on CheapInsurance.com, one of America’s most trusted SR-22 insurance comparison resources.
Who Needs SR-22?
The SR-22 is a requirement by the state’s DMV before reinstating a driver’s privilege after suspensions resulting from violations. You may need to have SR-22 insurance if you:
- You have a conviction for a DUI, DWI, and any other serious moving violation
- You have a conviction for causing an accident while driving without insurance coverage
- You have accumulated too many tickets or points on your license over a short period
- You have failed to pay child
- Your driving privileges are suspended
How Long Do You Keep an SR-22 Certificate?
Once a driver acquires an SR-22, it stays as a status on the affected person’s driving license for a specified period that may vary depending on their state of residence.
In some states, you can cancel it within a year, while in other states, you may need to have it on your license for up to five years. However, most states require drivers to have it for two to three years.
Other may also vary from one state to another. For example, when the countdown for the SR-22 requirement starts. In some states, it begins immediately after license suspension. In others, it commences when a driver initiates the license reinstatement process.
How Does an SR-22 Get off My License?
After you satisfy your state’s SR-22 requirement, it doesn’t fall off your license automatically. You have to notify your insurer that you no longer need it to have them drop it.
SR-22s often run for three years, meaning that if your state’s requirement for an SR-22 is more than three years, you will need to reapply for renewal before the previous one expires.
Insurers are obligated to inform the DMV when a driver drops their SR-22 coverage intentionally or when it expires, so you have to be careful not to drop it before time or risk losing your driving privileges again or going through the process all over again.
Other Forms Similar to SR-22
Some states may refer to SR-22 as something else. In Missouri, Texas, and Georgia, it is referred to as SR-22A. California has SR1P as a requirement for vehicles with less than four wheels. In Virginia and Florida, the requirement is the FR44 form.
Final Words
Everyone makes a stupid choice at least once in life and should have a second chance. That is what SR-22 insurance does for persons that make costly traffic violations and are looking to rise from their mistakes.
