What is SR22 insurance?
Certain suspensions and revocations issued by the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division require an SR22 certificate before a restricted permit or full driving privileges can be reinstated. It is a certification of future proof of financial responsibility and a guarantee to the Motor Vehicle Division that an insurance company has written a policy for at least minimum liability coverage. If the insurance coverage should lapse for any reason during the required time, the insurance company will notify the MVD and further action will be taken against your driving privileges.
What violations require SR22?
Some of the more common reasons for needing SR22 are:
A.R.S. § 28-1321. The implied consent law. This violation can result in a one-year suspension of your driving privileges. SR22 insurance is one of the requirements in order to obtain a special restricted drivers license after the first 90 days of suspension, if a first offense, and then required for an additional three years after full reinstatement.
A.R.S. §§ 28-1382, 28-1383. Driving under the influence. If this is a first offense conviction and there was no suspension under the admin per se statute, you can expect a suspension of your driving privileges that will require an SR22 certificate to reinstate. This certificate must remain in place for a period of three years. A second conviction within 84-months or a felony DUI conviction will result in a revocation of your driving privileges which will also require an SR22 certificate to reinstate. This certificate must remain in place for a period of three years.
A.R.S. § 28-4135. A conviction for no insurance or failure to maintain proper insurance could lead to the suspension of your vehicle registration and/or driver license. To reinstate these privileges, SR22 insurance must be filed with MVD and remain in effect for a period of three years after full reinstatement.
So, you say you don’t want to deal with an insurance company and obtain SR22. What other options do you have if you want to legally drive? If you happen to have $40,000 in cash or an equivalent certificate of deposit laying around, you can deposit that sum with the Arizona Office of Treasurer and obtain a certificate which can be used at the Motor Vehicle Division.
Okay, you say you don’t own a car. Why should you have to get SR22 insurance? As long as you have a need for a driver license, you will need to file an SR22 certificate with the Motor Vehicle Division in order to have your driving privileges reinstated. Non-owner policies are available through insurance companies.
So you don’t have an Arizona license and never intend on getting one or ever even setting foot in this State again, why do you care about SR22 and reinstating your driving privileges in Arizona? And that brings us to the NRVC, which is a whole other blog. . .
The Law Office of Craig W. Penrod has been involved in criminal and DUI defense for more than 20 years. Contact the DUI lawyers at the Law Offices of Craig W. Penrod for a free initial legal consultation if you find yourself facing criminal charges or possible MVD action against your driving privileges.
