After a driver’s license is revoked by the DMV for a drug or alcohol related offense, the defendant may apply to have his/her license reinstated. However, before a driver’s license can be reinstated, the defendant must obtain SR-22 insurance. This requirement can be found in C.R.S. 42-7-406, which provides:
Whenever the director revokes the license of any person under section 42-2-125 or 42-2-126, or cancels any license under section 42-2-122 because of the licensee's inability to operate a motor vehicle because of physical or mental incompetence, or cancels any probationary license under section 42-2-127, the director shall not issue to or continue in effect for any such person any new or renewal of license until permitted under the motor vehicle laws of this state, and not then until and unless such person files or has filed and maintains proof of financial responsibility as provided in this article…
SR-22 insurance is proof of financial responsibility for the future; it is not an insurance policy. Under the terms of the SR-22, the driver agrees that his or her insurance policy will be kept in effect for a specific period of time. It is very important to take this requirement seriously as failure to comply may result in an additional license suspension. For example, if you or your insurance carrier cancels the policy, the insurer is required to notify the Division of Motor Vehicles and that your driver’s license will be suspended until you obtain a new SR-22. In addition, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-2-125, if an SR-22 policy lapses and you violate any traffic law while the policy is lapsed, the DMV will revoke your driver’s license for one year.
In most cases, SR-22 insurance must be maintained for three years from the date it was required. However, there are a number of exceptions to this three year requirement. For instance, if the driver has had only one drug or alcohol revocation and the incident did not involve an accident, the SR-22 insurance need only be maintained for the length of the revocation. Second, in cases where SR-22 insurance is required for three years, but the driver is not licensed for all or part of that period, credit is given toward the three years for the period in which the driver was not licensed.
SR-22 can be obtained when you purchase liability insurance for your car. In most cases, your insurance agent will be able to provide you with the required forms. Once you have the SR-22 form, you must file it with the Division of Motor Vehicles. This can be done at the DMV’s headquarters located at 1881 Pierce Street in Lakewood.
For additional information on SR-22 and driver’s license reinstatement, visit the Division of Motor Vehicles website at: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Revenue-MV/RMV/1177024843078
