Drunk driving is definitely a serious trouble and stopping people from getting behind the wheels intoxicated is a herculean task. Inspite of legal restrictions and consequences like Field Sobriety Tests (FST) and DWI people seem to lack awareness.

Laws of the State

Laws differ with States. Have you been under the coverage of DUI or DWI law? In order to get back your driving privileges remember you should submit what is called the SR-22 form to your licensing authority. Once a person is convicted under DWI charges, suspension of driving privileges for a period of atleast 30 days to one year is common in all states. Hence if you intend to restore your driving license soon after DWI conviction obtaining a SR-22 form is a must.


SR-22 form is an evidence of having liability insurance for your motor vehicle. It is a procedure where the insurance company should notify the licensing agency which is usually the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) about the status of the liability insurance policy.

High Insurance Premiums

Drunken driving insurance claims are generally very expensive. Where an individual is convicted for drunken driving, he has to approach the insurance company for SR-22 form in order to restore back his driving privileges. Not all companies issue SR-22 forms. In fact many companies terminate the insurance policies or fail to renew them where the individual is convicted for a drunken driving charge. Many states have law in place where it denies the insurance company of its right to terminate the policy of a DWI convict.


Soon after the conviction and issuance of SR-22 form, the insurance premiums of these vehicles double and they even triple sometimes. The insurance company categorizes you (DWI convict) under high risk category. And the impact of high insurance premium continues for a minimum period of 3 years. Repeated offences increase the period of impact.


Inspite of on the spot legal enforcements like field sobriety tests (FST) such as blood test and breathalyzers for testing the Blood Alcohol Content of the individual, cases of drinking and driving have hardly come down. A measure of BAC above .08 is subject to DWI conviction in almost all the 50 states in the nation.


The legal consequences of DWI convicts are severe and involves a number of fines penalties and imprisonments, depending upon the seriousness of the accident, BAC level of the driver (exceeding .08) and age of the driver (underage drinking).

Avoiding High Premium

The best way to avoid high insurance premiums is not to drink and drive. It is certainly not a joke given that a drunken driving mishap has a long list of consequences that follows both in terms of cost and other emotional considerations.


The insurance company is brought into the issue only where you are required to get a SR 22 form for restoring your driving privileges. If you choose to opt for other forms of transport then high insurance premiums may be avoided. Submission of SR-22 form is for restoring your driving privilege whether you own a vehicle or drive a rented car. In other words you are expected to possess insurance even for a rented car.


It is easier said than done. But it is much easier to avoid drinking and driving than facing the consequences and emotional disturbances that come along. You better engage a driver or call a taxi than getting behind wheels while intoxicated.