A judge can order someone with a poor driving record to fill in an SR-22 form. This is filled and filed with the department of motor vehicles, and it's the only way to have your license restored if it was revoked or suspended.
Once you fill in an SR-22 form, you can expect your car insurance to cost you a lot more than you're used to. This is why many drivers find it difficult to maintain their coverage. However, driving without an SR-22 insurance certificate when you're required to can lead to serious consequences.
Consequences of Not Having an SR-22 Certificate
If you're required to maintain an SR-22 certificate and you're found driving without one, you may be arrested, to begin with. This can leave you on the receiving end of various punishments which vary from state to state.
However, just because you're not out driving doesn't mean you can live without an SR-22 certificate. You're are usually required to have the certificate continuously over a period of time. In some states it's three, but in others, e.g. Alaska, it's five years the first time and ten years the second time. If you don't renew your SR-22 certificate at any point in time during this period, you'll have to restart the mandatory period.
What Becomes of Your License and Registration?
The consequences for your license and registration vary depending on the state you are in. Texas, for instance, starts enforcement proceedings the moment they're notified by your insurance company that your SR-22 hasn't been renewed. This means that your driver's license and your registration can be revoked. Washington has a one-year term, and failure to have the certificate continuously will mean not being able to renew your driver's license.
The Long-Term Results
Failing to maintain your SR-22 certificate over the state term can be very bad for your finances. For starters, restarting the mandatory period means that you'll have a high-risk status for a long time. This will mean high insurance premiums for many years. You'll also have to pay fees to have your registration and your license reinstated. As far as insurance companies are concerned, you'll also be starting fresh, and you may be required to pay a sizeable down payment.
At the end of the day, all these payments will mount up and you may find it even harder to keep up with your payments. Therefore, it's a better idea to maintain your SR-22 certificate for the stated period.
For more information, get in touch with a business like JSE Insurance.
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