SR22 Insurance Certificate: Why It’s Required Following a DUI Conviction

Young woman holding her licenseA driver convicted of a serious driving violation like a DUI (driving under the influence) could have his or her driving privileges immediately revoked by the DMV. Following a conviction, the DMV or a judge will request for an SR22 insurance certificate from the driver’s insurer before driving privileges can be reinstated.

How to Obtain an SR22 Certificate

Once you have been notified by the court or the DMV that you need to present an SR22 certificate as proof that you have the means to pay for damages should a driving accident occur, you have to immediately notify your insurer. It is your insurer’s responsibility to send the certificate to the state, either electronically or manually.

Depending on your insurance company, filing the SR22 insurance certificate may take a day (if filed electronically) or up to two weeks (if filed manually). When the certificate has been confirmed by the state, you may receive a notification from the DMV that your driving privileges have been reinstated.

It must be noted, however, that certain restrictions will be applied to your driver’s license. You will also be on a probationary period for three to five years, depending on your state’s regulations. Additionally, should you decide to skip driving altogether during your probationary period, and you forgo the SR22 insurance certificate, the same requirements and restrictions could still be applied once you decide to drive again (even after the probationary period).

Also, general coverage requirements following a DUI (or other serious driving violation) conviction may vary from state to state. To give you an idea, in California, the minimum liability coverage is as follows:

  • $15,000 for bodily injury or death to one person
  • $30,000 for bodily injury or death to more than one person
  • $5,000 for property damage

So other than informing your insurer that you have been requested by the state to file an SR22 certificate, you should also discuss with your insurer the liability coverage included in your policy to make sure that it meets the state’s minimum requirements.