Convicted of Drunk Driving? Need SR22 Insurance?

Q: I was convicted of drunk driving and the judge told me that after my license is suspended for the required time, I can get it back if I get SR22 insurance certificate. What is SR22 insurance?

A: Since you have your license suspended, you have to suffer more punishment than a simple few weeks suspension. In order to comply with the law, you will have to buy SR22 insurance for a total of three years before you are able to keep your license without it.

A SR22 certificate is proof of insurance. It’s a form that the car insurance company you buy your policy from will file with the DMV in your area every month. If the form is not filed during the three year period you are required to have SR22 insurance, then your insurance will be canceled and your license again suspended.

It’s sometimes difficult to find Schenctady SR22, so you’ll have to look a little harder. Since you are now part of a high risk group of drivers, it’s also very likely that you will have to pay a lot more in order to keep yourself insured. If you don’t want to have to file SR22 insurance, then you can avoid it by simply allowing your license to remain suspended for three years–but then you won’t be able to drive.