The SR22 is a form issued by an auto insurance company to removes a suspension order placed by your DMV on your driving privileges.If you are caught up in a situation that requires filing of SR22, your driver’s license will be suspended by the DMV. The first thing to do is consult an attorney who deals with such cases and inform your insurance company with as many details as possible to help them assess the extent of loss. They would verify the details and arrange to issue the SR22 which is required to get the suspension on your license to be removed.
California has the Compulsory Financial Responsibility Law that holds every driver or motor vehicle owner financially responsible for any damage or injury resulting form an accident regardless of who is at fault. The purpose of this law is to make sure that all the drivers are insured and to make the roads safe for all road users and to prevent the irresponsible drivers from causing injury or damage in accidents.
According to Californian law, when a driver is arrested for drunken driving or driving under influence DUI, is considered as a problem driver or high risk driver. His driver’s license is suspended and to revoke the suspension he has to file a SR22 certificate as proof of having auto insurance with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). No other document is accepted as proof of auto insurance. Form SR22 is a certificate that is to be issued by the insurance company and is filed with the DMV mentioning the driver’s details and the auto insurance policy he has with them. On acceptance of SR22 the license of the concerned driver is reinstated. The SRR is kept on file for three years and if the policy lapses and is not renewed or is cancelled, the insurance company has to notify about it to the DMV. SR22 from other state will not apply if you shift to a different state as they are state specific.
The DMV will then notify you that by a certain date you will have to file another SR-22 with them or your license will be suspended. SR22 is a state requirement, so even if you do not have a valid auto insurance policy, notify it to the DMV and obtain it from an insurer who will provide DUI insurance or SR22 insurance.