What is SR-22 Insurance?
This is a common question, and quite frankly not an ignorant one. After my first DWI I purchased a SR-22 policy and did not even know what it was. SR-22 insurance policy is a 'note' held on file by the DMV. It is essentially an extra charge you pay for your motor vehicle insurance carrier to communicate directly with the DMV. The DMV will hold your proof of insurance in their system, and whenever their is a lapse of insurance your carrier will contact the DMV, resulting in another suspended license for you. The reason your license is suspended when there is a lapse in coverage is because most new DUI / DWI laws require you to maintain SR-22 Insurance for a set number of years as a condition of reinstatement. Therefore even if you are not driving / do not own a vehicle you will need to posses this policy or lose your license. Most important to you SR-22 Insurance is required in every state after a DUI / DWI for a set amount of time, and it usually runs approximately $25 per month on top of your normal rate. Please check your State requirements so you know when to cancel the SR-22 portion of your policy. As I found out the hard way insurance companies don't do this for you! Finally SR-22 does not mean full coverage or more expensive as some people believe, you may still purchase your state's minimum liability automobile insurance coverage, just with a SR-22 policy added.
Driver's Test after a DWI / DUI
Nearly every state now requires a retake of the drivers test...
For reinstatement of your license. Fortunately it is only the written test, but still I failed it my first time. You may know how to drive but do you know the other tricky questions? Questions about insurance dollar amount requirements, how many feet exactly you may park from crosswalk, the speed limit unless otherwise posted for an industrial area? Don't waste all day in line at the DMV only to find you cannot get your license back because you don't know this. Below is a list of practice tests, by state, so you may can be prepared.
Dealing with the DMV
The following things are almost universal, and if you don't have them you will have waited an hour in line listening to the old man that served his country in WW1 and now can't get his license because he's blind and deaf, for nothing.
- Proof of SR-22 Insurance Coverage (This note should be in your DMV's database, but you are also required to bring in your insurance card)
- Letter of Compliance / Completion (Even if you were not ordered to attend alcohol treatment, chances are your state required a class of some sort, you will need to prove you went!)
- Money Money Money (Find at ahead of time how much it is going to cost, can't play if you can't pay!)
- Drivers Test (You better practice, even the best driver could be stumped by some of the number questions asked here)
- Administrative Requirements (Once again, call first! Sometimes the DMV considers you more at risk than the court and can place an additional revocation time period on your license. Make sure you can get it back before you go!)
- Be Polite (This is a government office, they answer to nobody, really, and can be as flexible or rigid as they please)
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