with a suspended license. You’ll likely face higher insurance premiums, but failing to maintain coverage could result in a failure to reinstate your driving privileges and even higher premiums down the road.

You’ll need to maintain a car insurance policy for any vehicle that you own—even if your license is suspended.
A suspended driving license could cause your car insurance rates to increase by 10% to 80%, depending on the severity of the violation.
Many states require an SR-22 form to get a suspended license reinstated, but not all insurance companies provide these.

You can’t drive with a suspended license—but you still need car insurance

suspended license

must be reinstated before you can legally operate a motor vehicle again. However, there are a few reasons why you still need car insurance during this time:

Avoid a lapse in coverage: Failure to maintain your current insurance policy with a suspended license will result in an

insurance lapse

. This will make it difficult to find cheap car insurance premiums once you’re back on the road.

Earn restricted driving privileges: You may be granted a restricted license (or hardship license) that allows you certain privileges during your suspension period—such as driving to and from work or school. However, you’ll likely need a valid car insurance policy to be granted these restricted driving privileges.

What to do: Maintain an insurance policy that meets your state’s insurance requirements while you work to

get your suspended license reinstated

. Most states charge a reinstatement fee on top of any other fines or requirements you may have received.

MORE:

Minimum car insurance required in your state: What you need to know

Most common reasons for a suspended driver’s license

There are many reasons why you could get a suspended license, depending on your state’s laws. Here are the most common:

Outstanding traffic tickets: A few traffic tickets here and there may seem inconsequential—but your license could be suspended if you have

multiple tickets

or you fail to pay for them.

DUI: Most states will automatically suspend your license if you’re issued a

DUI

for driving under the influence.

Serious violations: You may get a license suspension if you commit a serious traffic violation such as hit-and-run or reckless driving.

Super speeding: In many states, excessive speeding (often, 30 mph or higher above the speed limit) can result in the immediate suspension of your driver’s license.

Points violations: Many states use a

driver violation points system

to track your traffic violations. Accumulating too many points can result in additional fines and penalties—including a license suspension or revocation.

Outstanding child support payments: While it may seem like a surprising reason, failing to pay child support could temporarily cost you your driver’s license.

Failure to appear in court: Missing a scheduled court date could cost you more than just additional money in fines. The court could suspend your driver’s license by issuing a Failure to Appear or Bench Warrant.

No proof of insurance: Most states require drivers to carry insurance as proof of financial responsibility before operating a vehicle. Your license could be suspended If you’re caught

driving without the proper insurance

—or without valid

proof of insurance

MORE:

Driving without a license: What are the penalties?

Buying car insurance with a suspended license

A suspended license won’t stop you from being able to buy car insurance. In some cases, you may be required to provide proof of insurance as a requirement for reinstating your license.

If proof of insurance is required in your state, you may have to ask your insurance provider to submit an

SR-22 certificate

to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you live in

Florida

Virginia

, you may need an FR-44 form instead, which has stricter requirements.

The bottom line: As long as you own a registered vehicle, you’ll need to make sure it has enough

liability insurance

to meet your state’s requirements—regardless of your license status. But to make sure you’re fully protected, it’s usually worth investing in a full-coverage policy that includes both collision and comprehensive coverage.

Suspended licenses raise car insurance rates

You can typically expect a license suspension to cause your auto insurance rates to increase by 10% to 50%. However, serious infractions (such as reckless driving or DUI/DWI suspensions) can cause your car insurance to increase by 80% or more!

If you’re facing much higher rates, it may be worthwhile to shop around for new

car insurance quotes

from different companies. Comparing quotes can help you find the best rate on a new insurance policy.

Pro tip: Some auto insurance companies (like
Safeco
and
The General
) specialize in providing insurance policies to drivers with serious infractions on their driving record—often referred to as
non-standard insurance
.

MORE:

Affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers

Submitting an SR-22

Many states require drivers with serious infractions or previous license suspensions to

file an SR-22 form

to reinstate and maintain their driving privileges.

What to do: Ask your insurance provider to submit an SR-22 form to your local DMV on your behald, proving that you meet your state’s minimum liability coverage requirements. Your insurance provider may charge you a small fee for SR-22 insurance.

Worst case scenario: Some insurers may refuse to submit an SR-22 because they consider you too high-risk to insure. If this is the case, you will need to switch insurance providers before you can get your license reinstated.

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FAQs

How long does a driver’s license suspension affect insurance?

If your state requires you to file an SR-22 form with your insurance company, you may be looking at higher premiums for 1 to 3 years. Maintaining a

clean driving record

and making timely insurance payments can help reduce the cost of your insurance rates more quickly.

Do I need insurance if my driver’s license is suspended?

You’ll need to maintain car insurance coverage on any vehicle that you own—even if you’re not driving due to a suspended license. If your rates have increased as a result of your suspended license, it may be a good time to shop around for a new rate.

Do car insurance companies check your driver’s license?

Insurance companies often check your license to verify your driving record. If you have a history of at-fault accidents or tickets (or a license suspension), an insurance provider may consider you a high-risk driver and charge you a higher premium.

Contact your insurance agent to learn more about how your driving record affects your rates.

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