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.