Do You Need Drunk Driver Insurance in Illinois?
Reader’s Question:
My driver’s license was suspended because of my drunk driving charge. Is it true that this can be a reason for my car insurance rates to go up?
Barry
Des Plaines, IL
The states don’t allow insurance providers not to give coverage to people because of their color, faith, residence, profession or age but they can drop your policy for some other reasons. This includes having a suspended driver’s license, too many tickets or having a felony, criminal negligence or DUI conviction. Car insurance providers typically treat those who have drunk driving charge differently than those who have a clean driving record. They usually charge higher car insurance premium rates or they can even drop the policy.
Since you have a drunk driving charge in Illinois, you will be tagged as a high risk driver. If your car insurance provider finds out about it and decides to keep you, they would likely increase your premiums. In that case, you will be expected to file a proof of insurance, or what is called SR22, so that your driver’s license will be reinstated. Also, because of the SR22, your car insurance provider would notify the Department of Motor Vehicles if your car insurance policy is canceled for whatever reason.
How Long Will DUI Stay On My Record in Illinois?
Reader’s Question:
How come it showed no criminal record when I did a background check on myself? I have a DUI here in Mount Prospect, Illinois and I wanna know how long will that DUI stay on record.
Kaia
Mount Prospect, IL
In the state of Illinois, the IL Secretary of State (SOS) says that traffic offenses like disregarding a traffic control light, speeding, etc. stay on a driving record for four to five years starting on the date of conviction. If the infraction is for a suspension or revocation of the driver’s license, that will stay on the driving record for a minimum of seven years from the date of license reinstatement. For a DUI conviction, it will depend on the laws of each state if the violation will be considered as a criminal act or not. DUI offenses could a misdemeanor and some DUI offenses may be a felony.
In the state of Illinois, alcohol or drug-related crimes, such as your DUI in Illinois, stay on the driving record for life according to the SOS. If you’re looking into other records to check if you have a criminal record because of your DUI, you could check with the court to see how long these kinds of records would maintain information on your DUI conviction.
DUI – Car Insurance in Illinois After DUI Conviction
Reader’s Question:
My brother got his second DUI offense here in Evanston, Illinois and we all hope he doesn’t get convicted again. In case that happens, how can he get car insurance after his two DUI’s?
Francesca
Evanston, IL
We all know and understand that a DUI is a very serious charge and you can jeopardize your own life and that of other people by drinking and driving. It may be hard for your brother to get a car insurance after being charged again with his second DUI in Evanston, Illinois, especially if he gets convicted. The first thing that he would have to do is get the SR22 form procedure completed by his insurance company. This is the official documentation required for him to reinstate his license and get his car registered at the local DMV.
You brother has to submit the SR22 insurance form to the local DMV but take note that his license would be put on probation for at least two years. His car insurance premium is going to be extremely high because he will most likely be termed as a ‘high risk driver.’ In case he’s having a hard time finding a car insurance company who would give him coverage, I advise him to try and get an online rate quote from this very website because it offers DUI insurance even for second offenses.
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Auto Insurance After DUI in Illinois
Reader’s Question:
I got charged with DUI here in Aurora, Illinois and if I get cleared, will my car insurance rates still increase? If so, how can I avoid an increased rate on my car insurance?
Heriberto
Aurora, IL
Even if you get cleared for your DUI charge in Aurora, Illinois, your car insurance company could still increase your rates, just because you were arrested for DUI. It is actually their right to increase your car insurance rates for the DUI arrest, but it is also your right not to notify them unless you are actually convicted for DUI. To avoid increased car insurance rates, you have to retain a good DUI lawyer after your DUI arrest if you are able to afford one.
You should ask your DUI lawyer as soon as possible on how to avoid increased car insurance rates after a DUI conviction. The DUI lawyer could advise you on what to say to your insurance company and when you have to say it. You also have to understand that you would experience some level of increased car insurance rates unless your DUI case is dismissed. You also have to ask your DUI lawyer about DUI support groups in your area. You could not only gain some comfort by talking with others, but you could also get peer advice for finding good car insurance and coping with financial pressures caused by your DUI charge.
DUI Car Insurance in Illinois After Drunk Driving Conviction
Reader’s Question:
My cousin told me that he has a big problem about his car insurance rates because of his DUI conviction in Skokie, Illinois. Is it true that it will be largely affected because of his drunk driving conviction?
Malcolm
Skokie, IL
Your cousin’s drunk driving conviction in Skokie, Illinois could bring many negative consequences into his life. Aside from the legal consequences such as possible jail time, fines and a criminal record, he would also have higher insurance premiums. If he is currently insured, his car insurance provider would, of course, respond to this circumstance. What his car insurance company can exactly legally do would vary but his car insurance company may cancel or decline to renew his policy, restrict coverage provisions or, at a minimum, increase his premiums.
Although the amount of increase could greatly vary, his premiums could go up as much as 100 percent or more. How his car insurance provider reacts to his DUI could be worse if he has other strikes against him, such as traffic tickets, previous drunk driving convictions, late or unpaid insurance premiums, at-fault accidents or other negative history with the insurance company. He can obviously get free online rate quotes from various car insurance companies such as the ones available from this website.
DUI Consequences in Illinois If Convicted?
Reader’s Question:
We are afraid but we are doing everything for my sister so that she won’t get convicted on her DUI case here in Elgin, Illinois. What could she be facing if she will be convicted?
Jake
Elgin, IL
There are a lot of consequences that could flow from your sister’s DUI case in Elgin, Illinois if she gets convicted. Loss of her driver’s license is the one on top of the list. She may also pay heavy fines, court costs and extensive administrative fees. She may also be on probation, serve time in jail state prison; her vehicle could be impounded or forfeited. She may also install an ignition interlock device on her car. She has to remember that DUI laws are strict, the prosecutors and the courts often act without mercy or discretion and the penalties are harsh.
Aside from the obvious legal consequences of dealing with the law enforcement, the courts, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), there are also practical consequences that often flow from a DUI arrest or conviction. DUI is a crime and a DUI conviction will give your sister a permanent “criminal” record. She can lose her job or be prevented certain future employment, especially if it is state job, law enforcement-associated or involves driving. A DUI conviction can also cause her insurance rates to skyrocket and insurance companies sometimes will cancel her coverage altogether. If that happens, your sister can definitely get an online rate quote for her car insurance from this website.
Tags: car insurance, drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI lawyer, DUI penalties
DUI Restricted Driving Permit in Illinois
Reader’s Question:
My driver’s license has been suspended for almost nine months already because of my DUI conviction here in Rockford, Illinois. I was told that I can get like a temporary license or something if I won’t have a DUI charge or a similar offense for nine months. How would I get a driving permit after my DUI conviction?
Mao
Rockford, IL
I know that you have already foreseen that after your DUI conviction in Rockford, Illinois, the next issue that you would face is when, and under what conditions you could be eligible to apply for a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP). In the State of Illinois, RDP could be issued for driving to and from work as well as within the scope of your employment related duties, to allow you transportation or a family member for necessary medical care, to and from certain alcohol rehabilitative activities such as AA meetings, and for you to travel to and from classes at an accredited educational institution. Also, the State Secretary would not issue permits for more than 12 hours a day or 6 days a week.
You should not have traffic tickets pending in any court (other than a DUI with a pending suspension) and your driver’s license should not be revoked or suspended for other reasons because you would be ineligible to apply for RDP until the other matters are resolved. You should also obtain an alcohol evaluation from an agency licensed by the Illinois Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (OASA) and you must complete the treatment recommended therein at a treatment service provider licensed by OASA.
Out-Of-State DUI Conviction For Illinois Driver
Reader’s Question:
I live in Naperville, Illinois and I was just convicted for DUI in another state. My driving privileges have been removed from that state. Does my DUI conviction from another state mean that my Illinois driver’s license would be suspended?
Jerome
Naperville, IL
If you’re a resident of Naperville, Illinois, upon the receipt of the report of your DUI conviction from another state, the Illinois Secretary of State would automatically revoke your driver’s license. To avoid a license revocation, any reduction or amendment must be to an offense that would be recognized separately (that is, Reckless Driving) under the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code.
Since your out-of-state DUI case resulted in a conviction, it would usually take several weeks for the report of the conviction to reach the Illinois Secretary of State. But upon the receipt, the Secretary of State would immediately serve a Notice of Revocation upon you by mail. The revocation would be effective normally within a few days of mailing. If you no longer live in the same address listed on your driver’s license, you must change your address directly with the Secretary of State’s Drivers Services Department forthwith as official notices from the Secretary are not forwarded and your failure to actually receive the notice does not affect the validity or effective date of the revocation of your license.
Tags: driver’s license, DUI, DUI lawyer
Illinois Teen Driver Drunk Driving Penalties
Reader’s Question:
I’m very much furious but at the same time very much concerned because my teenage son was arrested for DUI for the first time in Oak Park, Illinois. I wonder if the penalties for teenage drunk driving are the same for those over 21 years of age convicted of DUI. What are the penalties for teenage DUI in Illinois?
Dahlia
Oak Park, IL
It’s very alarming that more and more teenagers are consuming alcohol, more so being involved in drunk driving. Teenagers are more likely the swaggering type for their “I can handle it” syndrome. They think that they can handle their alcohol consumption and say that they haven’t had enough to seriously impair them. Perhaps we could blame it on the greatest influence on teenagers and their drinking and driving which is peer pressure. Peer pressure is a very powerful force that’s why teens feel that it is very important for them to know that they’re “in.” It’s also a saddening fact that the average college student actually spends more money for alcohol than for books.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens that’s why even the legal consequences of underage drinking and driving are getting tougher. Since your teenage son was arrested for his first DUI in Oak Park, Illinois, don’t be surprised that Illinois DUI laws would be hard on him if he will be convicted. For first underage DUI conviction, penalties include loss of full driving privileges for a minimum of two years. He could also be imprisoned for up to one year and could pay maximum $2,500 in fines.
Illinois DUI Effects After Conviction?
Reader’s Question:
We’re very much worried about my son’s DUI arrest here in Illinois as he was driving home from work. We all understand he is facing a complicated case. Aside from the penalties involved, what could be the lasting effect of DUI on him if he will be convicted?
Kael
Palatine, IL
It is no hidden secret that your son may lose his driver’s license and car after his DUI arrest in Illinois. If he will be convicted for DUI, the possible long lasting effect of it would be on is job. Think of DUI penalties as a domino effect. The judge will assign your son with so much community service that he may be forced to take time off from work. He may be wasting time picking off litter off the highway when he could be closing a deal at work. And as he is taking time off from work, he is making less money.
If he can’t afford to pay bail, his employer may feel bad about him spending time in jail and would not take that very well. Losing his driver’s license is not where the worries end. He now has to find new transportation to get to work and earn a living. He might not be that popular with his friends and co-workers if they are driving him everywhere. At this point, you have to find a DUI lawyer who would fight for your son not only to get him out of jail and pay fines, but also to save his job.
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