Reader’s Question:

I had been found guilty of DUI and convicted a couple of months ago and my new auto insurance company has stated absolutely nothing regarding a SR-22. I’ve always got full coverage on my car and wanted to ask whether you believe the SR-22 in Florida is necessary or not.

Mike

Cape Coral FL

An auto insurance provider isn’t the one which requires an SR-22 to be maintained, it’s mandated by the courts or a state agency typically following specific traffic infraction such as DUI. State laws vary so it depends upon the state where you had been found guilty of a DUI if they require an SR22 to have your license reinstated or for some other reasons.

If you need to maintain an SR-22 in Florida then you need to be informed. When you have recently relocated or believe you might have overlooked this notification, you need to get hold of your local Department of Motor Vehicles to determine for sure if the financial responsibility certificate is required of you.

Since your DUI occurred in Florida, if that is the situation, here’s more info on Florida’s financial responsibility law. According to The Florida Driver’s Handbook, this Financial Responsibility law requires motorists to hold bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance as well as the mandatory PIP and PDL coverages should they have been convicted of certain traffic infractions, which includes DUI or DWI.

If you also you don’t have car insurance to abide by the Financial Responsibility Law, your driver license will be suspended for 3 years. You will need to pay a $15 reinstatement fee and present the department  proof of financial responsibility or SR-22 in Florida for 3 years from the date of the suspension to have your license reinstated.