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When do I technically need to obtain SR-22 Insurance? Dui Issues in California


Once you have been arrested for suspected DUI in California, you will obtain a pink piece of paper from the arresting officer or agency. This pink document will act as your driver’s license for the next 30 days. If your license is ultimately suspended by the DMV and you apply for a restricted drivers license or let the suspension time period pass, you will need to obtain the proper car insurance before the DMV will reinstate your driving privileges. That special insurance is called SR-22 insurance and is simply “high risk” insurance that is required in California DUI case. Now the more important question is when does one obtain this fancy insurance? Are you suppose to notify your insurance carrier right after you are arrested? The answer is no. You do not technically need to obtain this type of insurance or notify your insurance until after you have been officially deemed to have lost your driver’s license pursuant to the DMV or Superior Court’s findings. How this plays out is, if you are arrested and request a DMV hearing, then typically you will not have to obtain this insurance for a few months. Once the DMV notifies you that your license is in fact suspended, and you wait out the period of time to get your license back, it is at that time that you technically need to alert your insurance carrier and obtain the proper high risk SR-22 insurance.  

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