If you are convicted of a DUI or the DMV suspends your driver’s license because you were either under the influence of alcohol per vehicle code 23152(a) vc or your blood alcohol concentration level was 0.08% or higher under vehicle code 23152(b), then you will required to get an SR-22.
How A DUI Will Affect Your Insurance
A DUI conviction will remain on your driving record for 10-years1. This is mainly for future sentencing considerations should you receive another DUI conviction within 10-years of your initial offense, your DUI will be considerably enhanced.
The enhancements increase with each subsequent DUI received within a 10-year period.
DMV Hearing & Your Insurance Rates
You can be acquitted of a DUI at trial but still have your license suspended unless you successfully challenged your license suspension before the DMV.
You only have 10-days from the date your received an Order of Suspension/Revocation from the DMV to request a Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing or you waive it.
If successful at the APS hearing, you can usually plea bargain to a non-alcohol related offense at your criminal proceeding or even have the matter dismissed.
As a result, there will be either no effect on your auto insurance or one that will be considerably less than if you were convicted of DUI if pleading to a moving violation but is not alcohol-related.
How Much Do Rates Go Up
Once your auto insurer learns of your DUI, it will raise your rates substantially. Depending on your carrier, you can expect an increase of about 31% to 472.
How Long Will Rates Be Elevated
Many insurers will maintain the increased premiums for at least 3-years and could keep them high for up to 7-years.
If you maintain a clean record after 3-years, however, then you should see your rates begin to decline with each succeeding year.
However, insurers will not offer you good driver discounts during the 10-year period.
Be aware that your insurer could choose to terminate your coverage completely. There are authorized DMV-approved insurers who will provide you with the SR-22 if your own insurer declines to do so.
SR-22 Requirement
Anyone convicted of a DUI is required to maintain an insurance policy that meets the minimum auto insurance limits for the state, which is currently $15,000/$30,0003. You will have to obtain a SR-22 certificate, which is required for high-risk drivers under these circumstances:
- Possession of a restricted license
- Safety responsibility suspensions (you had an accident while uninsured and have not paid the required compensation)
- Unsatisfied judgment suspensions
- Multiple traffic offenses or too many points
- A revoked license
- A DUI conviction
Contact your insurer about obtaining an SR-22 or contact the DMV about where to find approved insurers.
You can obtain quotes and file the certificate online.
SR-22 Costs
Your auto insurance carrier will charge a nominal fee of $15 to $25 to file the certificate.
To get a policy, however, it will cost you from $300 to $800 depending on the company.
An insurer will consider your age, complete driving record, area where you reside, and other factors in determining your premiums.
In many cases, you will be paying a monthly premium that is 3 to 5 times higher for a first time DUI than a driver with a clean record4.
SR-22 Required For License
You cannot have your license reinstated unless you provide evidence of the minimum coverage, which comes with an SR-22 certificate.
The certificate is proof of financial responsibility that is filed with the DMV. If it lapses, the DMV will revoke the SR-22 and suspend your license.
Your auto insurer can file the SR-22 on your behalf. You will have to maintain the SR-22 insurance for 3-years but you need not file it each year so long you pay the premiums and full coverage is maintained
Effect of the SR-22 on a Restricted License
Restricted licenses are available to you if you were convicted of DUI or otherwise had your driver’s license suspended because your BAC was 0.08%. A restricted license is one that limits you to driving to and from work.
If this is your first DUI, you are ineligible for a restricted license for the first 30-days of your suspension. To apply for the restricted license, follow these steps:
- Pay the fine
- Enrol in a court-approved DUI education program
- File proof of an SR-22
- Pay a re-issuance fee of $1255
Should this be your second DUI within 10-years, your driving privileges will be suspended for one year and no restricted license will be issued until the one-year period has passed.
Second-time offenders will also have to have an ignition interlock system installed on their vehicles before a restricted license will be issued.
No restricted license will be issued if you refused chemical testing and you will have to wait out the one-year minimum suspension period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Steps If You Need Help
If you have been arrested and would like to learn more about how much DUI attorneys cost.
If you want to understand why its important to have an attorney represent you.
If you would like to discuss a pending case with an attorney contact the Aizman Law Firm at 818-334-6855 for a free confidential consultation.
Footnotes
- California Insurance Code §1861.025 [↩]
- https://www.valuepenguin.com/how-does-dui-affect-your-auto-insurance-rates [↩]
- California Insurance Code § 11580.1b., See https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr18 [↩]
- http://www.sr22insurancequotes.org/sr22-insurance-cost/average-cost-of-sr22-insurance/ [↩]
- California Vehicle Code § 14905 [↩]
- California Vehicle Code Section 16430 [↩]
