Being a responsible driver is an important task, but it is not always an easy one. There are many requirements you have to make sure you have in place, to not only protect yourself, but other drivers as well. Failing to ensure you meet these requirements, may not only cost you your driving privileges, but may require that you file an SR-22 form to reinstate your license. If you are a driver, you need to know what  a SR-22 is, as well as how to avoid the legal pitfalls which may require you to file one.

What Is A SR-22?

An SR-22 is a certificate which you will be required to be filed through your insurance company with the Department of Motor Vehicles, if you have had certain driving offenses. It serves as a notification, that you are in compliance with the required insurance filings in the state.

Although this certificate, or notice, is filed by your insurance company, it is separate from your auto insurance. Failure to have your insurance company file this form could result in you being unable to maintain, or reinstate your driving privileges.

Once you are required to file, you will be required to file for three to five years, depending on your offense. Not every insurance company is willing to offer this service, and SR-22 filings are not required by every state, but there are currently only a few states who do not require them.

What Are The Pitfalls To Avoid?

#1 - Avoid Driving Under The Influence (DUI) Or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) - Most, if not all states requiring an SR-22 filing, will do so if you are convicted of either of these offenses. In all states it is illegal to drive if you have a blood alcohol level higher than .08. If you have a commercial driver's license, or you have not reached the legal drinking age in your state, the BAC you can be convicted of is much lower. 

In 2012, a person died in the United States, approximately every 51 minutes due to someone choosing to get behind the wheel when they were impaired. Many times the person that died was not the one who made the choice to drink and drive. Simply put, just do not drink and drive.

#2 - Maintain Your Insurance - All states now require you to carry some level of liability insurance, or to file a liability bond in order for you to legally drive. Many of these states require you to have some form of insurance in place in order for you to get your driver's license, but this does not mean that people keep their coverage in place. If you are found to be driving without insurance due to receiving a ticket, or having an accident, you may be required to file a SR-22. To avoid this, simply keep your insurance coverage up to date.

#3 - Obey The Rules Of The Road - Getting too many traffic tickets in a short period of time is an easy way to have your driver's license suspended or revoked. This revocation, or suspension, is generally caused by the number of driving points that you have accrued, or due to the severity of your driving offense

If you are able to maintain your driver's license, this increased number of points will also cause you to see a huge increase in your insurance premiums. If you lose your license, reinstating them will often require you to have an SR-22. To avoid this pitfall, all you have to do is slow down, and follow all of the rules of the road. They are there to protect you, as well as everyone else on the road.

Car insurance is expensive enough when you do not have any points on your driver's license. When you are required to file an SR-22, your insurance premiums will have increased exponentially due to the risk that you pose as a driver. Do the things that you need to do to keep from having to pay this price. 

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