I need an SR22 auto insurance after being charged with DUI here in Los Angeles, California. How long do I have to maintain it and how long will my DUI stay on my record?

Virgil

Los Angeles, CA

It’s a good thing that you are now thinking about getting SR22 auto insurance after being charged with DUI in Los Angeles, California. You need the SR22 auto insurance so that you can get your driver’s license back at the end of your suspension period. That is actually a requirement by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to reinstate your driver’s license. You have to carry the SR22 auto insurance for three years under normal circumstances. But the terms can be extended with the presence of stricter enforcement of DMV laws and lobbying against drunk drivers.

The bad part about your DUI charge is that this violation would stay on your driving record for 10 years. It would be rated for points by auto insurance companies for three years, so that would be some relief, but most preferred insurers don’t take drivers with DUI violations, so it may be a long wait until you get that kind of policy. But you can absolutely get a free online rate quote for your SR22 auto insurance from this website.

A friend of mine was recently charged with DUI here in Los Angeles, California and he doesn’t want to go to trial because he wants to have this over and done with. I heard that he is hoping to have the DUI charges reduced that’s why he is planning to plead guilty. Question is, if his DUI charge will be reduced to wet reckless, will this be considered as a prior in case he gets arrested again for DUI in the future?

Abbie

Los Angeles, CA

You gotta tell your friend that there is a lot at stake if he pleads guilty for his DUI charge in Los Angeles, California and just hope that his charges will be reduced. Yes, there are certain ways that the DUI case could be resolved without proceeding to trial. But I strongly suggest that he seeks professional legal advice first before doing anything he might regret later on. On the other hand, there are some DUI cases that plea bargaining would be appropriate and he has to remember that each DUI case is different, and there are times that admission of guilt to the DUI charge would be in his best interest.

He may have the DUI charge reduced to wet reckless which is an alcohol-related reckless driving. In several respects, wet reckless is no different from a DUI charge which means that if he gets arrested for a similar offense within 10 years, the wet reckless conviction would be considered as a prior DUI conviction. Moreover, most auto insurance companies would treat a wet reckless conviction just like a DUI conviction. But there would be some benefits of having the DUI charge reduced to wet reckless because there would be no mandatory DUI school with this charge and no mandatory driver’s license suspensions or restrictions.

I’m really concerned about my car insurance after being charged with DUI here in LA California. I heard that some of the traffic laws in California have changed. How would my insurance company deal with my DUI case?

Maxine

Los Angeles, CA

Under the California law, any DUI offense on your record will appear for 10 years from the violation date. This may sound unfortunate for you. Several insurance companies check your motor vehicle record only once every three years or when you’re applying for a new policy.
At times, DUI conviction can escape your insurer’s attention or don’t end up on your motor vehicle record. But if your insurer finds out about your DUI in California, you are likely to have higher rates and possibly policy cancellation or non-renewal.

You asked how your insurance company would deal with your DUI case. Well, in general, there are two ways insurance companies deal with customers with DUI conviction. First is that they may raise your car insurance premiums and label you a high-risk driver if it finds out you have been convicted of DUI. Second and worse is that they may cancel your insurance mid-term or terminate the policy at the end of the term because of your DUI conviction. If this happens, you may shop around to get lower rates for your insurance policy.

My brother was convicted of a DUI in over 7 years ago in LA, California but has completed all of the requirements issued by the court. Is this now off of his record and does he still report it on license applications?

Sam

Los Angeles, CA

No. It will not be off his record yet.

New California legislation extended the reporting period for DUI offenses from seven to ten years for all public requestors.

According to the CA Department of Motor Vehicles, even if a DUI was previously taken off your record, it will now appear back on your driving record and will remain there until 10 years from date of violation. Under the new CA law, you may not qualify for a good driver discount again until 10 years from the date of your DUI violation.

Then, if your DUI was less than 10 years ago in Los Angeles, CA, it will still be on your driving record for public requestors, including insurance companies. If you are asked on a license application if you have DUI on your record, you would have to report this DUI that they will see when requesting your CA MVR.