DUI and SR22

What is a Statement of Financial Responsibility (SR22) and when do I need one?

An SR22 in Arizona is a special Certificate of Insurance from an insurance company licensed in Arizona, or a letter stating that a $40,000 deposit of cash or certificates of deposit is being held by the Arizona Office of Treasurer.

If your license is revoked or suspended for a court convicted DUI violation, an implied consent DUI refusal, or violation of Arizona vehicle insurance laws, then a proof of future financial responsibility (SR22) is required to be provided to MVD.

The adverse impact of being required to have SR22 insurance is that the cost of automobile insurance is increased dramatically.  Not all insurance companies provide SR22 insurance coverage.  Insurance companies that do provide SR22s will put those drivers in a “high risk” pool of drivers which inevitably will require much higher premiums than regular automobile insurance.

SR22s are required for all DUI criminal convictions.  SR22s, however, are not required for an automatic 15 day MVD implied consent violation. Because of this exception, it is advisable to consult with a DUI attorney whether or not to accept an automatic MVD suspension from AZ MVD while a DUI criminal case is pending.

If a driver is required to have an SR22 proof of insurance must be maintained for three years from the date they become eligible for reinstatement.  If you fail to maintain proof, your license and the registration will be suspended until proof is re-established and provided.

The following is a chart of driver's license suspension requiring an SR22 upon reinstatement from a license suspension.  The SR22 is required to be in place for 3 years after the date of reinstatement eligibility.

	Conviction Statute	Violation	Length of Suspension
DUI Related Offenses
	28-1321	Implied Consent, Refusal of DUI test.	one year
	28-1381	Regular 1st Time DUI	90 days
	28-1382	Extreme DUI	90 days
	28-1383	Aggravated/Felony DUI	one year
	28-1385
	4-244(34) or 28-1381 or 28-1382	Person Under 18 Driving with Alcohol in Body	two year suspension
Financial Responsibility Laws
	28-4135	No Mandatory Vehicle Insurance	3 months and plates suspended
		2nd violation no mandatory insurance	6 months and plates suspended
		3rd violation	one year and plates suspended
	ARS 28-4144	Being involved in an accident without automobile insurance One year license and plates susp	one year license and plate suspension