Back in 2006, I was convicted for DUI in New Jersey and I moved here in California just recently. How long will my DUI in NJ remain on my driving record and influence my auto insurance premiums here in CA?
Garrett
Berkeley, CA
Your DUI conviction in 2006 would be a part of your permanent Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record. Because you are now residing in California, you have to verify with the California DMV to determine if they have put your DUI or other traffic violations that were part of your New Jersey driving record on your new driving record as a resident of California.
In 2007, the reporting period for DUI violations became 10 years for all public requestors, which include auto insurance carriers. Before that, DUI violations stay on CA driving record for seven years. Under this new legislation, you might not be eligible for a good driver discount again until 10 years after you committed your DUI offense. Before 2007, a DUI may have been weighed up by auto insurance carriers for premium add-ons for seven years but currently, it could be taken into account for 10 years.
Because your DUI offense happened out of state, you can get in touch with the insurance regulator for CA which is the CA Department of Insurance to determine how long an auto insurance provider in CA can consider your DUI conviction in NJ from 2006. You can also get in touch with an auto insurance agent if you have any further questions about your auto insurance costs.
I have been arrested for DUI here in California that’s why I am worried that my insurance rate would sky rocket. If this is the case, how can I get cheap DUI insurance rate here in my state?
Valerie
El Toro, CA
If you have been arrested for a driving under influence in California (DUI), then you run the risk of getting higher car insurance rates. Drivers caught for DUI are required to get a SR22 insurance which vouches that the holder has the required minimum car insurance coverage. DUI insurance rate is pretty high these days not just because of the high risk nature of the policy but because of the increasing cases of DUI. But you can still get a cheap DUI insurance by looking for a specialized SR22 insurance provider. The Internet has been proven to be a good place to shop for discounted DUI insurance.
It is easy to understand why DUI insurance is a lot more expensive compared to other types of car insurance. DUI insurance is given to high risk drivers who are bound to get caught for DUI than other drivers. The track record of drivers with DUI insurance tells car insurers that these drivers are more likely to commit DUI or other traffic violations. The higher the risk, then the higher a car insurance company will naturally be charging.
The increasing number of DUI cases these days is another reason why it is difficult to get a cheap DUI insurance. With more and more Americans being caught for DUI, car insurance companies will have to raise their rates in the process.
It is such a big help that drivers can purchase cheap DUI insurance through the Internet. There are many specialized DUI insurance companies that have put up their own websites. Drivers in need of cheap DUI insurance rate should browse the Internet so they can get the best deals for their insurance coverage.
In order to get the best rates, it is recommended that drivers compare multiple cheap DUI insurance quotes. There are also websites that allow drivers to do this at their most convenient time.
Why is SR22 insurance in California being referred as certificate of financial responsibility? In case I’ll be required to get SR22, will my insurance company have this?
Robert
Corona, CA
California SR22 insurance is usually called certificate of financial responsibility or simply high risk insurance. Actually, SR22 is a form that becomes a part of the car insurance of the person required to get it. In general, SR22 would be asked of a driver due to the following reasons: a conviction for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), numerous at-fault road mishaps or other reckless traffic violations, or if a driver does not have car insurance after an at-fault traffic mishap.
California SR22 insurance certifies the policyholder that he/she does have the proper insurance. This is filed by the car insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with the assurance that although the policyholder is a high-risk driver, he/she has at least the minimum required coverage. Also, it is very important that the SR22 insurance doesn’t lapse because if this happens, the DMV will be notified right away. This will prompt the DMV to have the driver’s license re-suspended until he/she gets SR22 insurance.
Not all car insurance companies in California offer SR22 insurance; and if they do, they offer it at a price. So you have to check with your current provider first if they do have it in case you’ll be required to get it in the future.
I have heard several cases about DUI here in Whittier, California that makes me more curious about it. Question is, what are the possible DUI defenses that can be brought out in a DUI trial that are related to the DUI stop?
Kyla
Whittier, CA
In a DUI case in Whittier, California for example, the prosecution should prove that the person was driving a vehicle while intoxicated in order to be found guilty. You may think that this is very obvious, but this could be an issue that can be brought out in a DUI trial where the police officer arrives later at the scene of an accident or where a vehicle is parked and the driver is asleep.
Another defense that could be used in a DUI case is that the police officer didn’t have actual reason to stop the vehicle of the person who is suspected for DUI. The police officer simply has to have a probable cause to pull the driver over. Traffic violations such as unsafe lane change, expired license plate tags or speeding could provide the excuse the officer needs to pull a driver over. In other words, the officer should have a legal reason to stop the vehicle and suspect that the driver was intoxicated. Weaving within a lane is generally used for probable cause, but this by itself would not be sufficient evidence that the driver was indeed under the influence.
Is there anyway to reduce the years for DUI penalty in California? How long will a DUI stay on my record?
Dexter
Bakersfield, CA
Effective January 1, 2007, any CA DUI offense on your record will appear for 10 years from the violation date. The new law extends the reporting period for DUI offenses from 7 to 10 years for all public requestors, including insurance companies. According to the new law, drivers with DUI occurring within the past 10 years are not entitled to receive a good driver discount.
DUI offense that occurred more than 10 years ago will no longer appear on your public driving record. At then end of the 10-year reporting window, it will automatically be taken off.
As to the reduction of the penalty for traffic violations in CA, the law stipulates various offense penalties according to the circumstances of your DUI and non-DUI violations. For more accurate information, contact the court found on your ticket issued
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