If you’re moving to a new state while required to have an SR-22, you must maintain continuous compliance to avoid license suspension, financial penalties, and higher auto insurance rates. Your original SR-22 requirement and its duration follow you to the new state, so you need to find an insurance company that can file the SR-22 in both states. Guarantee overlapping coverage for a few days to keep compliance uninterrupted. If you don’t own a car, you may need a non-owner SR-22 policy. Failure to comply can lead to DMV notification, license suspension, and additional fines. Continuing with the necessary steps will help you navigate this process smoothly and avoid further complications.
Situations Requiring SR-22
If you find yourself in certain precarious driving situations, you’ll likely be required to obtain an SR-22 form.
DUI/DWI convictions, including driving under the influence of drugs, typically necessitate an SR-22. Multiple DUI offenses can extend the requirement period. Additionally, obtaining an SR-22 serves as proof of financial responsibility to the state for potential damages.
Uninsured driving and accidents, such as at-fault accidents without insurance or driving without insurance convictions, also trigger an SR-22 requirement.
Serious traffic violations, including reckless driving, excessive points on your driving record, or multiple traffic violations within a short time span, can mandate an SR-22.
If your license is suspended or revoked, you’ll need an SR-22 for reinstatement or to obtain a hardship or probationary license. This requirement usually lasts for a specified period, typically three years.
Court orders and DMV notifications often accompany these requirements, ensuring you meet the minimum liability insurance standards set by your state.
Unpaid child support leading to license suspension can also result in an SR-22 mandate.
Steps to Maintain Compliance
When relocating to a new state with an active SR-22 requirement, maintaining compliance is crucial to avoid severe consequences such as license suspension and additional penalties.
You must fulfill the original SR-22 requirement even if moving to a state that doesn’t require an SR-22. The duration of the SR-22 requirement follows you to the new state; for example, if you’re required to have an SR-22 for 3 years and you move after 2 years, you must maintain it for the remaining 1 year.
You need to find an insurance company in the new state that can file SR-22 forms in both the old and new states. If your current insurer offers coverage in the new state, they can transfer your policy, but it’s wise to overlap the coverage for a few days to guarantee continuous compliance. Additionally, ensure that you understand the minimum liability coverage required, as it may vary from state to state.
If you don’t own a car, you’ll need a non-owner SR-22 policy to maintain liability coverage and compliance with the SR-22 requirement.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failing to maintain your SR-22 insurance when moving to a new state can lead to severe and far-reaching consequences.
If your SR-22 coverage lapses, your insurance company will notify the DMV, triggering a license suspension that will remain in effect until you meet the SR-22 requirement and pay any reinstatement fees. This suspension can prevent you from registering your vehicles, leading to additional fines or penalties.
You may also face financial penalties, including reinstatement fees for your driver’s license and vehicle registration, as well as state-imposed fines and surcharges on your vehicle registration fees.
Higher auto insurance rates can result from lapses in coverage or a suspended license. Additionally, your vehicle could be impounded if you’re pulled over without valid SR-22 insurance, and repeated non-compliance could lead to extended or permanent revocation of your driving privileges. Moreover, having a DUI or DWI conviction can significantly impact your insurance premiums, making it crucial to maintain compliance with SR-22 requirements.
Conclusion
When moving out of state with an SR-22 requirement, it is essential to maintain compliance to avoid severe consequences. An SR-22 must be transmitted to the new state’s DMV, even if the new state does not have its own SR-22 requirement. Failure to comply can result in license suspension and additional fines. Notably, in some states like Florida, repeated non-compliance can lead to permanent revocation of driving privileges, emphasizing the importance of strict adherence to SR-22 regulations.
