SR-22 Requirements (Proof Of Financial Responsibility)
Every motor vehicle operated on the public streets in Hawaii must have a valid no fault insurance policy. Having a DUI conviction, or an administrative revocation for DUI, as part of your driving record can substantially increase the cost of obtaining basic no fault and other types of optional insurance coverage. Drivers convicted of certain serious traffic offenses (e.g. reckless driving, "2nd offense" or "3rd offense" DUI and inattention to driving), drivers determined by the ADLRO to have been "highly intoxicated drivers and cases involving "major motor vehicle accidents" are considered by the State, to be more likely than drivers with good driving records, to cause accidents which will result in personal injury or property damage. Therefore, to protect the public, such drivers are not allowed to be issued new licenses, or to continue driving on existing privileges, without first showing proof that they can pay for any such damage. One way that the driver can satisfy this proof of financial responsibility requirement is to buy a special "high risk" insurance policy. The form that an insurance company give the driver to prove that the insurance has been purchased is called an SR-22 form. Consequently, the common way of referring to this proof of financial responsibility requirement is to call it an "SR-22 requirement."
On Oahu, if your ADLRO revocation as a "highly intoxicated driver" is not reversed, or amended down to being just a merely intoxicated driver, you should receive a notice from the Financial Responsibility Section of the applicable county's Division of Motor Vehicles that states:
As a
result of your conviction or license suspension/revocation
you have become subject to the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Safety
Responsibility Act, Section 287-20, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS). You are
required by law to file and maintain "PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY" with
the Department of Customer Services for three (3) years from the conviction or
suspension/revocation date in one (1) of the following ways in order to have
valid driving privileges:
(a) FORM SR-22: Certificate of insurance as provided in Section 287-25, HRS; a
written certificate (original) of any insurance
carrier duly authorized to do business in the State of Hawaii certifying that
there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy for your benefit in the
event you become involved in any traffic accident during the three (3) year
period. Contact your current insurance company for the original FORM SR-22; or
(b) SURETY BOND: $25,000 surety bond, as provided in Section 287-35, HRS; or
(c) MONEY OR BOND: $25,000 deposit evidenced by a certificate concerning proof
of deposit issued by the Director of Customer
Services, as provided in Section 287-36, HRS; or
(d) SELF-INSURANCE: $25,000 certificate of self-insurance issued by the Director
of Customer Services, as provided in Section
287-42, HRS.
ORDER OF SUSPENSION
The effective date on this "Order of Suspension" shall commence as follows: ____
Thirty (30) days after your service date.
_X_ IMMEDIATELY following any license
suspension/revocation period or conviction date.
"Proof of financial responsibility" must be filed with this office before the
effective date of this Order to retain or regain your driving privilege. If you
do not comply, any and all licenses or instruction permits evidencing your
privilege to drive MUST BE SURRENDERED to this office. SUSPENSION shall continue
in effect for the period of three (3) years from the date of conviction or
suspension/revocation, or until proof is filed and maintained for the remaining
portion of the three (3) years. Section 287-44 Penalties: Any person failing to
surrender his/her license as required shall be fined not more than $500.00 or
imprisoned not more than six (6) months or both.
Be advised that following any suspension or revocation of your driving
privilege, a $20.00 reinstatement fee must also be paid to the City and County
of Honolulu upon compliance with all requirements.
THIS ACTION IS TAKEN UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
RESPONSIBILITY ACT, CHAPTER 287, HRS. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT
FOR THE DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER SERVICES
Mona A. McNamara, Supervisor Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Phone: (808)
532-7740
Ms. McNamara is a highly
competent civil servant. She is polite and quite pleasant when conducting
business with members of the public. However, the SR-22 requirement, that her
Financial Responsibility Section will impose and enforce, can be a financial
disaster.
Contact Mr. Mac Master today
to discuss the possibility of
avoiding an SR-22 requirement!
(808) 531-8080
click below to send e-mail to Mr. Mac Master