If your driver's license was suspended following the arrest of a DUI charge, you will likely be required to obtain an SR-22 certificate to prove that you have auto insurance before the state will reinstate your driver's license, even if you don't currently own a vehicle. This is the case even if the DUI charges against you are dropped. The SR-22 requirement comes from the DMV hearing not the criminal court. Here's what you need to know so you can obtain the proper coverage and documentation in order to get your driving privileges back.
DMV Hearing
Upon being charged with a DUI, your driving privileges were revoked and a DMV hearing was scheduled. You can lose the DMV hearing even if your criminal case is completely dismissed. Therefore, it's important to attend the DMV hearing with a lawyer rather than dismissing it with the belief that it won't matter since the charges against you were dropped. Whether you missed the DMV hearing or you lost it, if your driver's license needs to be reinstated then SR-22 insurance will be required.
SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that is filed by your insurance company to the state where your driver's license is. The state wants to be sure that you meet the minimum coverage requirements, which is why they require the documentation to come from your insurance company. You'll need to tell your insurance company that you are required to have an SR-22 and let them take care of submitting it to the state. When the state receives the SR-22 and all other requirements to reinstate your driver's license have been met, you'll then be able to drive again.
Insurance Without Owning a Vehicle
Even if you don't currently own a car, you will still need to be insured and have an SR-22 submitted so your driving privileges can be restored. The insurance coverage you'll need is called a named non-owner coverage endorsement. This type of insurance will allow you to drive any vehicle you borrow, rent, or test drive, and meets the minimum coverage requirements that are necessary for your state to reinstate your license. It's important that you do not let your insurance coverage lapse at all for any reason because the insurance company will be obligated to report the lapse to your state's DMV that you are no longer covered as you are required. Look into SR-22 insurance for more information.
Share11 May 2022
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