Reader question:
For how long are you required to have SR 22 filing done?
Adam
Excellent question, Adam.
The truth is that the necessity and length of the SR 22 filing process depends on a number of factors. The SR 22 filing requirement is one that comes after you have been convicted for something such as driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence of mind altering drugs (which also comes with even heavier penalties, along with the drunk driving), and driving without proof of financial responsibility; the requirement becomes even more strict when any of these actions result in a car accident. If you are simply caught from being pulled over by a police officer, then the requirements are less strict.
The first factor that affects how long you have to do SR 22 filing is your possession of a license. Normally, if you are required to file an SR 22 form, then you must first have had your driver’s license suspended. Sometimes the suspension lasts for a certain amount of time before you are able to reinstate it with SR 22 auto insurance coverage proof. Other times, it is only suspended until you pay a fee (which varies from state to state) and provide the DMV with your SR 22 form. The key to all of this is that the period during which you are required to do SR 22 filing applies whether or not you have a driver’s license. Theoretically, you could simply choose to take the bus for three years after your license was first suspended before reinstating it. If you did this, then you would never have to pay for expensive SR 22 auto insurance coverage.
The other factor that affects your SR 22 filing requirement is the number of times you have committed the offense in question. For example, if this is your second time getting thrown in jail for driving while intoxicated, then the amount of time you have to file an SR 22 form lengthens considerably. The normal amount for most first time cases is three years. For drunk driving, though, it is five years in most states. The second time you are caught drunk driving, that number of years doubles to ten years. The third time, it doubles again, to twenty years.
Cheers.
Fashun Guadarrama.