I live in Hawaii and my license has been suspended due to drunk driving. Will I be needing SR22 filing? How do I get my drivers license back? By the way, I do not have a vehicle right now.

Brian

Honolulu HI

To know for sure what exactly you need to do to reinstate your license after DUI conviction in Hawaii, I suggest that you contact HAwaii Licensing Authority. You maybe able to contact them at 808-534-6800. You may inform them about your specific case and ask them if you are required to get an SR22.

According to Hawaii drivers manual, the state may require you to provide proof of financial responsibility certificate or SR22 due to certain offenses. You will need to carry an SR22 for a period of three years from the conviction date. Your car insurance company may do SR22 filing for you and they will submit it to DMV.

Even though you do not have a vehicle, you will still be needing to file an SR22 as part of your reinstatement process to have your drivers license restored.

If you drive a vehicle with a suspended license due to drunk driving conviction, you might need to pay a fine for up t $2,000.

My son acquired 12 points and received a drivers license suspension. He is required to get an sr-22. What is a South Carolina law on sr-22?

Mariel

Thank you for asking Mariel.

A form S-22 insurance certificate is required for 3 years from the ending date of the revocation for which it is required. This is according to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle. This form is also required during the six months when an person is issued a provisional license.

Before the license can be reinstated or a provisional license issued by an individual, the SR-22 must be on file at the South Carolina DMV . It is noted by the Department of Motor Vehicles that SR-22 is not required if the required three year period for the original suspension has ended.

It is also noted in the South Carolina’s manual for drivers that some revocations may require SC motorist to file SR-22 insurance before their driving privileges can be reinstated. The SR-22 insurance is proof of future financial responsibility . If you fail to maintain the coverage when you are still required to carry it, your driving and/or registration privileges will be suspended and you may be required to make a payment up to $400 in reinstatement fees.

You may contact the SC DMV to get more information on the laws regarding your son’s loss of license due number of convictions. You may also inquire about him getting an sr-22.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

How long do I have to carry an sr-22 in North Dakota? I got a DUI for almost 4 years ago.

Heidee

Thank you for asking Heidee.

In North Dakota, the penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol is very harsh.

There are two penalties involved under the DUI law:

1. administrative license penalty

2. court conviction penalty.

Your license may be suspended through either or both processes. By law, if you get caught for DUI, the police officer will take your driver’s license then and there. This is under the administrative penalty.

If convicted for DUI, the court process, in addition to suspending your driver’s license, you also face mandatory fines and jail sentences.

* First conviction- you will pay the fine of $250.
* Second conviction within five years—you will pay $500 fine and five days in jail or 30 days community service work.
* Third conviction within five years—you will pay $1,000 fine and 60 days in jail.
* Fourth conviction within seven years—you will pay $1,000 fine and 180 days in jail.

Moreover, all convicted offenders are required to submit to a mandatory alcohol addiction evaluation.

In addition to that, if convicted of a DUI, the law will require you to show proof of financial responsibility (SR 22 insurance coverage). The ND Drivers License Division of the Department of Transportation requires those that have been convicted of DUI, to show proof of future financial responsibility for a period of one year. This is according to the North Dakota Insurance Department.

Motorist who wants to reinstate their license and satisfy the requirement may do so by having their car insurance company file a SR-22 Financial Responsibility filing (SR-22 is the form name) in their the state.

You may contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation to get more information if you can only keep the sr-22 for a year.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

What is SR22 filing?

Greg

Thank you for asking, Greg.

This is a pretty popular concern, thanks to the rise in convictions for drunk driving and speeding, which are the cases which most often require SR22 filing. SR22 filing is something that must be done after these convictions in order to keep your license.

Normally when you are convicted of drunk driving, or you collect too many traffic violation points on your record, your license will be suspended for a certain period of time. Once you reinstate the license, you will have to file proof of insurance with the department of motor vehicles with your state for three years. This only applies, though, if you actually reinstate your license right away. If you wait three years, then you don’t need to do SR22 filing at all.

SR22 filing allows the state to be aware that you have insurance at all times. If your SR22 filing for insurance is not renewed, or is cancelled, then an SR 26 form is submitted. Once this is received, your license will again be suspended.

The best way to make sure that your SR22 filing is not canceled is to renew it at least a month ahead of time, and to stay out of trouble. If your company already knows that you have a drunk driving conviction, then it is not likely that they will cancel your policy for this. However, if during the period of your SR22 filing you do something else which adds risk, such as buying a high performance car, then you could have your SR22 filing policy canceled. While you have SR22 insurance, it’s best to lay low.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

Is it possible that I will be required to carry an sr-22 when I do not reside in the same state where i got the DUI?

Elle

Thank you for asking Elle.

If you drive in another state other than where you reside within the US you are still expected to adhere to laws in that state. If you get convicted for any traffic or moving violations from another state you are still subject to the penalties that the other states will place upon you. So, if for instance, you are required in another state to carry and maintain an sr-22, you will still need to comply with their law.

In most states if your license has been suspended due to traffic violations, you will acquire accumulated points and other penalties by the state . You will then need to prove to the state that your vehicle is insured. If you do not own a vehicle, you can purchase a non owners sr-22. However in the state of Illinois for instance, it is not necessarily required for out of state drivers to carry sr-22. Under Public act 94-0224, out of state drivers may now request for the proof of financial responsibility to be waived. Out of state drivers will need to complete an affidavit to request for the waiver. The waiver is only for the sr-22 but if your home state would require you to carry this, you will need to comply with your home state law.

Basically, some states may require you to carry an sr-22 and some states dont. Always remember that if you drive throughout the states, you are subject to all laws in the various states that you drive in.

Goodluck!

MariCAR