Illinois SR22 Insurance Quotes & SR22 Information

It is possible for drivers in Illinois to be required to carry and maintain an SR22 Insurance policy for a minimum period of three (3) years depending on the actions being taken against the driver.

Additionally your driving history may also play a role in how the court proceeds with the new charges being brought against you. For example the charge of reckless driving may only get a driver the minimum penalties assessed against them, however combined with a DUI a driver might get the maximum penalties and more.

Some of the actions that might require an SR22 Insurance policy are:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs



• Using a motor vehicle to commit a felony



• Racing



• Habitual traffic offender



• Reckless driving



• Mandatory Insurance Violations

This is by no means a complete list, there are many other factors that could determine whether or not a driver will be required to carry and maintain an SR22 insurance policy. For additional questions please contact:

Jesse White (Secretary of the State)
213 State Capitol
Springfield, IL 62756

Call toll-free: 1-800 252-8980

Telephone options are as follows:

Press 1 - Instructions for completing tax forms or other tax related questions.
Press 2 - Mandatory Insurance
Press 3 - Driver's license or driving privileges
Press 4 - Special license plates
Press 5 - Person with disabilities certification for plates or parking placard
Press 6 - Title, vehicle registration or emissions compliance
Press 0 - Speak to an operator
Press 8 - Repeats the options

(Source: CyberDrive Illinois)

Drivers Services hours: Mon.- Fri., 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. Automated features are available 24 hours a day.

For additional information and TTY phone numbers visit CyberDrive Illinois.

What happens at an Illinois administrative hearing?

Most importantly you only have 7 -10 days to request an administrative hearing. Don't waste time start making some phone calls to find out how to resolve this difficult issue as quickly as possible.

Illinois has two (2) different administrative hearings:

Formal Hearings for DUI & reckless driving.

Informal Hearings for drivers needing the issuance of a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) or for full driving privilege reinstatement to a driver with one (1) alcohol related offense or a lesser moving violation.

Once you have applied for an administrative hearing date and received a hearing date you should have some time to gather information in your favor and subpoena any witnesses you may want to be present at your administrative hearing. This is also a good time to contact an attorney in your area to discuss the charges being taken against you and the choices you may and may not have. Most attorneys have a free initial consultation and we strongly recommend that you take advantage of this offer.

At the administrative hearing all parties will need to be sworn in by the Administrative Hearing Judge (Officer) then the hearing will begin. The Administrative Hearing Judge usually begins by taking testimony from the Police Officer on the evidence that he or she has against you and the Administrative Hearing Judge will also decide if proper procedures were conducted during the police stop.

Once the Police Officer is done giving testimony you and your attorney (if you hired one) will have the opportunity to rebut the evidence against you and present any witnesses that you may have in your favor.

Important: Prior to an administrative hearing you will need to subpoena any witnesses you may have in your favor. This cannot be done once you get to your administrative hearing.

After all the evidence and testimonies have been presented the hearing will close and the Administrative Hearing Judge will make a decision on whether to uphold the action(s) against you or suspend them.

When the Administrative Hearing Judge notifies a driver of their decision it is usually by mail. This notification varies from state to state, so please ask the Administrative Hearing Judge how this decision is sent and how long it will take.

Where are the formal Administrative Hearings held?

Formal Hearings are held in four locations:

• Springfield
  Howlett Building, Rm. 275
  501 S. Second St.
  Phone 217-782-2569
  
  
• Chicago
  17 N. State St., Rm. 1200
  Phone 312-793-4967
  
  
• Joliet
  54 N. Ottawa St., 4th Fl.
  Phone 815-740-7166
  
  
• Mt. Vernon
  320 E. Main St.
  Phone 618-244-1183

CyberDrive Illinois
Formal Hearing Request Form
Administrative Hearings Office Hours
Requesting Copies of Administrative Hearings

Where are the informal Administrative Hearings held?

Informal hearings are held at select locations and there is no appointment necessary. Be sure to call ahead to verify that the location you are going to can handle the services you require.

First you will need to find the Informal Hearing Region and Headquarters your county resides in. Once you know where the headquarters are located, then check the Administrative Hearings Office Hours that corresponds with the headquarters for an address and phone number.

Requesting Copies of Administrative Hearings

Where are the Illinois' driver licensing offices?

Illinois has many offices located throughout the state, please follow the link below to find a drivers licensing office near you.

Driver Licensing Offices

Does Illinois have a restricted driver permit?

Yes, Illinois does have a Restricted Driver Permit (RDP). To apply for a RDP during your suspension please contact an informal hearing officer. Hearing Officer Locations

At this time the hearing officer will review your driving record and then explain the procedures and requirements necessary for you to apply for a RDP.

Please call an informal hearing office to determine when the hearing officer will be available.

Remember: Informal hearings are held on a walk-in basis.

What are Illinois' minimum liability requirements?

• $20,000 coverage for bodily injury to or death of one (1) person in any one (1) accident



• $40,000 coverage for bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one (1) accident



• $15,000 coverage for an injury to or destruction of property of others in any one (1) accident.

Illinois Mandatory Insurance

Insurance Penalties (Provided by CyberDrive Illinois)

Safety Responsibility Hearings

Safety Responsibility Hearing Request Form

How do I renew my drivers license in Illinois?

Generally after your suspension, revocation, or cancellation period has been satisfied and you have completed any alcohol or drug treatment classes that were a condition of your sentencing you can start the process to reinstate your drivers license.

Important: Depending on your offense you may be required to get an SR22 Insurance policy before you can reinstate your license. Always check before you arrive at an Illinois DMV office that you have all the necessary paperwork filed and filled out completely. This is a little more work on your part, however it will save you time in the long run.

Additionally you will be required to pay a license reinstatement fee, and you may be required to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed in your vehicle as a condition of your license reinstatement.(Scroll down for more information on IID's)

CyberDrive Illinois has provided some useful information on how to reinstate your Illinois driver's license after a safety and responsibility suspension.

SR22 Mandatory Insurance Supervision Additional Requirement

Court supervision for mandatory insurance violations

SR22 related forms

What is Illinois' Ignition Interlock Device Program?

The State of Illinois refers to this as the BAIID or the Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device program.

Ignition Interlock Devices (IID's) are a type of breathalyzer that is installed in a vehicle and will require the driver to provide a breath sample prior to the vehicle starting. If the breath sample is below a present level the vehicle will start, if it is above that level the vehicle will not start. The IID is an option for first time DUI offenders that the court may use as a condition for driving privileges to be reinstated. For drivers convicted of two or more DUI's within 5 years an IID may become mandatory before a license can be reinstated.

IID's are becoming more and more common for first time DUI offenders. It would be a good idea to check with an attorney in your area about IID laws as they can change quickly.

More information on the BAIID program go to CyberDrive Illinois BAIID.

Wait there's more! Also in conjunction with the BAIID program Illinois has a MDDP (Monitoring Device Driving Permit) which will allow you, if eligible, to drive after the 31st day of your SSS (Statutory Summary Suspension). For more information please visit the Illinois MDDP to see if you are eligible and what the restrictions entail.

What if I fail to maintain my SR22 insurance policy?

Any lapse in your insurance coverage can result in an immediate license suspension, revocation, or cancellation. Your insurance provider (company) is required by law to notify the Illinois DMV when a lapse in your SR22 policy has occurred. Besides your driving privileges being taken away you may also incur penalties such as:

• Additional fees (as any lapse in coverage is considered a new offense)



• Possible jail sentence



• A longer SR22 period than previously sentenced, and you may be required to start the mandatory minimum SR22 period from the beginning.

These are just examples, it is hard to predict what could happen if a driver fails to maintain an SR22 insurance policy. We can only provide examples based on past testimonies of what the penalties assessed for a lapse in coverage had been. A lot has to do with the offending driver's driving history and the present reason for a lapse in coverage.

We strongly suggest that you avoid any lapse in coverage, it is just not worth the risk and the penalties!

How do I avoid a lapse in my coverage?

You can avoid a lot of additional hassles by paying your SR22 policy premium 2-3 months in advance, if you can. If 2-3 months is not possible try 2-3 weeks in advance. We can’t stress this enough do not let your SR22 insurance policy lapse for any reason. If you are having problems paying your premium on time contact your insurance provider or the Illinois Safety and Financially Responsibility Section to ask if they can help.

An overview of the Safety and Financial Responsibility Laws

Illinois' Mandatory Insurance Law

Mandatory Insurance Driver's License Suspension

Additional Resources:

Basic Fees
BAIID Program (Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device)
Copy of your Driving Record
Criminal Background Check
Driver Services (DMV Locations)
DUI Books
DUI Process Manual
Illinois' Mandatory Insurance Law
Insurance Penalties (Provided by CyberDrive Illinois)
MDDP Program
Mandatory Insurance Driver's License Suspension
Mandatory insurance violations (Court Supervision)
Portable Breathalyzers
Safety and Financial Responsibility Laws
Safety Responsibility Hearings
Safety Responsibility Hearing Request Form
SR22 Insurance Related Forms
SR22 Mandatory Insurance Supervision Additional Requirement