And You Thought a Jail Sentence Was Bad...
Most people think they have a pretty good understanding of California’s DUI penalties. Lose your license for a year or so…possibly go to jail…pay a fine…attend DUI school…
While these punishments do, in fact, comprise the bulk of a California DUI sentence, they do not include perhaps, one of the most burdensome penalties of them all…obtaining an SR 22.
A California SR 22 is a form that you must request from your auto insurance carrier. It verifies that you meet California’s minimum requirements for auto liability insurance. It also alerts your insurance company to the fact that you just suffered a DUI.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles requires you to provide an SR 22 in order to (1) get a restricted license following a license suspension / revocation, or (2) fully reinstate your driving privilege.
Obtaining a California SR 22 can be quite costly. You must pay to file your SR 22…you must pay DMV fees to reinstate your license…you may have to switch insurance carriers if your current carrier won’t issue an SR 22 (and many won’t)…and, following a DUI conviction, you will not qualify for a good driver discount for ten years following your arrest.
The good news is that SR 22s are actually readily attainable. Although this request may trigger your car insurance company to cancel your policy (or a new company may deny you coverage), rest assured, there are a wide variety of carriers that are eager to get your business.
In the unlikely event that you can’t find new coverage on your own, you can always contact the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP) who is required to help.
