Nevada “SR-22” Insurance Laws

Updated

Playlist: Car insurance in Nevada DUI cases

Drivers need an SR-22 insurance policy to reinstate their suspended licenses following a Nevada DUI and certain other traffic violations. An SR-22 is a “certificate of financial responsibility” statement issued by a driver’s auto insurance company.

The time period drivers need to maintain SR-22 with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles varies depending on the case. After a DUI, an SR22 is required for three (3) years following a license suspension.

All states have some form of SR22 requirement, and having an SR22 will usually cause the driver’s auto insurance policy rates to spike. But a skilled Nevada criminal defense attorney may be able to avoid a license suspension altogether by getting the traffic charges dismissed and winning a DMV hearing.

In this article, our Las Vegas DUI attorneys explain what an SR22 is in Nevada, when it is needed, and how to get it. Click on a topic to jump to that section:

1. What is SR-22 in Nevada?

A Nevada SR22 insurance document is issued by a car insurance provider that serves as a “proof of financial responsibility” for high-risk drivers. It verifies that the driver currently has the minimum coverage of liability insurance legally required to maintain driving privileges in Nevada. The minimum liability coverage allowed is:

  • $25,000 for the bodily injury or fatality of one person,
  • $50,000 for the bodily injury or fatality of two or more people, and
  • $20,000 for damage to others’ property

People who have had their driver’s licenses suspended by the Nevada DMV often have to file an SR22 with the DMV before they can get reinstatement of the license.1 It is irrelevant whether or not the person owns a vehicle . . . non-owner SR-22 forms are available.

2. Do I need SR-22 to get my license back after a DUI in Nevada?

Yes. An SR-22 policy is necessary to reinstate a Nevada driver’s license once the DUI suspension period ends.2 The length of a driver’s license suspension depends on whether the person had previous DUIs within the last seven (7) years:

  • A first-time DUI carries a 185 day driver’s license suspension.
  • A second-time DUI carries a one (1) year driver’s license suspension.
  • A third-time DUI carries a three (3) year driver’s license suspension.3

And if the person does not get an SR22 after driving under the influence, the driver’s license remains suspended indefinitely.

3. When else is SR-22 necessary to keep a driver’s license in Nevada?

People need an SR-22 certificate if they cause a car accident without insurance, or if they are caught driving with an insurance policy that has been expired for more than 90 days.4

Aftermath of car accident, which may require at-fault driver to get SR 22 insurance.

SR22 is necessary after causing a car accident without insurance.

4. How do I get SR-22?

The person contacts his/her car insurance agent and requests an SR22. There is usually a fee involved to file the SR-22. The insurer then notifies the Nevada DMV that the person has an SR22.5

Note that car insurance companies tend to see drivers with SR22 as “high risk” and may charge them higher insurance rate premiums in the future. See our article on how DUIs affect car insurance.

5. How long do I need SR-22 in Nevada?

It depends on why the person’s driver’s license was originally suspended. The insurance requirements for DUI cases is that people file an SR22 with the Nevada DMV for a three year period from the date they reinstate their license.6

Note that the Nevada DMV does not notify drivers when their SR22 period is over.  So drivers should contact the DMV if they are uncertain about when they no longer need an SR22.

6. What happens to my SR-22 if I lose my car insurance?

If someone’s car insurance lapses or gets canceled before his/her SR22 period ends, the insurance company will issue an SR-26 form to the DMV.  An SR-26 indicates a discontinuation in auto insurance coverage.

At that point, the DMV will notify the uninsured driver by certified mail that they will suspend the driver’s vehicle registration in ten (10) days unless he/she can secure new insurance and another SR-22.

Unfortunately, a lapse or cancellation in insurance coverage “restarts the clock” for SR22 coverage. For example, a DUI defendant whose insurance gets canceled two (2) years into a three (3) year SR22 period would need to get a new SR22 for another three (3) years.7

7. Can an SR-22 requirement be satisfied through a motorcycle insurance policy?

It depends on the case. If the driver had a DUI with a motorcycle, the SR22 can usually be satisfied through motorcycle insurance.

8. Do these rules apply to out-of-state drivers?

People with out-of-state licenses will usually have to follow similar SR22 rules in their home state.

9. What happens if I move away from Nevada?

People who move out of state would still need to fulfill their SR22 filing period for the state of Nevada despite no longer living there.

10. Is there a way to get out of SR-22 requirements?

The best way to try to avoid these requirements is to retain criminal defense counsel as soon as possible following the traffic citation or arrest. The lawyer can then request a DMV hearing to contest the driver’s license suspension. If the hearing is successful, the person may no longer be required to get the SR22.

Receptionist with headset on.

Call our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys for a free consultation.

Our Nevada DUI / DWI law firm serves clients throughout the state, including Las Vegas, NV, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City, and more. We also practice personal injury law.

For information on California SR22 laws, read our article on California SR22 laws.

Legal References:

  1. NRS 485.3091; see also Langston v. Department of Motor Vehicles, (1994) 110 Nev. 342, 871 P.2d 362.
  2. NRS 485.3075.
  3. NRS 483.460.
  4. See NRS 485.
  5. Id.
  6. NRS 485.3092.
  7. Id.

Nevada Laws Blog Posts:

Is it possible to withdraw a plea in Nevada?

A defendant is at liberty to ask a Nevada court to withdraw his/her plea at any time. However, courts are more likely to consider the request if sentencing has not yet occurred. If sentencing has already occurred, the judge may presume that the only reason the defendant wants to withdraw the plea is to try ...

Nevada’s standing for traffic safety laws goes from bad to better

Yesterday the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety bumped Nevada’s ranking for traffic safety laws from the lowest “red light” status up to the middle “yellow light” status in its annual Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws. One new Nevada law that helped improve the state’s ranking is the requirement that all drivers arrested with ...

Are brothels legal in Las Vegas?

No. Under NRS 244, 345, brothels are illegal in Las Vegas and throughout all of Clark County. In fact, Nevada prostitution laws forbid any form of trading sex for money in Las Vegas and throughout Clark County. Nevada brothel system Nevada permits prostitution only in licensed brothels. Currently, only seven Nevada counties have legal, licensed ...

Will a criminal record seal in Nevada stop me from getting deported?

Getting a criminal record seal in Nevada is always a positive thing that expands one’s employment opportunities, but it cannot keep a non-citizen from getting deported. ICE has access to immigrants’ criminal records even if they have been sealed. Therefore, aliens wishing to avoid deportation should explore the following post-conviction relief options that may stop ...

    Contact Our Firm

    We usually respond in 5 minutes.



    Menu

    24/7 Help: