How To Get Rid Of Your SR22 Requirement

Accidents happen. Even the best drivers can make mistakes on the road. When something goes wrong and you’re the one responsible, the best thing you can do is face the consequences. In the case of car accidents and traffic violations, one of those consequences is an SR22 insurance policy. States use SR22 insurance requirements to ensure that high-risk drivers maintain the minimum liability coverages on their auto insurance policies. In many scenarios, you’ll also need an SR22 insurance policy to reinstate a suspended license.

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How To Drive With Confidence: 2 Tips To Follow

Driving a car is a lot of responsibility. You have to pay attention to where you are, where everyone else is, what the road looks like, and where you’re going. That’s a lot of pressure for one person, especially when you’re in charge of nearly 3,000 pounds of heavy machinery. While some people feel only excitement the first time they hit the road, others have a little more apprehension whenever they drive. Driving anxiety is common, especially among young adults and other less experienced drivers. How does one grow more comfortable in the driver’s seat? Here are a few tips on how to drive with confidence.

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How To Save Money on Insurance as a High-Risk Driver

Driving without insurance, causing an accident, or violating major traffic laws can mark you with the label “high-risk driver.” While the name sounds intense, its meaning isn’t always clear. Anyone who has dealt with traffic laws knows that the consequences of a mistake on the road can extend far beyond your life as a driver. High-risk drivers can face professional, legal, and financial consequences for their actions—including higher insurance premiums. Fortunately, smart choices and a bit of research can preserve your budget in the face of higher auto insurance rates. Learn how to save money on insurance as a high-risk driver with this guide.

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How To Stay a Safe Driver as You Age

From the moment you get your license at age 16 and throughout the rest of your life, driving is a symbol of freedom and independence. However, drivers must be safe and responsible to keep this privilege. As you enter your golden years, your aging mind and body can make it more difficult to stay safe in the driver’s seat. It’s important to pay attention to your driving abilities as you age so that you can protect yourself and others on the road. Learn how to stay a safe driver as you age with these essential tips.

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3 Factors That Make You a High-Risk Driver

At first glance, the term “high-risk driver” seems self-explanatory. These are individuals who, in theory, are more dangerous behind the wheel. As a result, auto insurance companies offer them higher premiums to better cover the cost of any accidents the driver might get into. What makes a high-risk driver? Some of the factors that make you a high-risk driver are obvious, such as breaking traffic rules or causing accidents. Others, however, are beyond the driver’s control. Learn about the various types of high-risk drivers with this overview.

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6 Ways To Prevent Teenagers From Drinking and Driving

“Say no to drugs. Don’t drink and drive.” Kids grow up hearing crucial safety tips over and over again, but that doesn’t mean they always listen. It’s easy for teenagers to revel in their budding independence, especially once they earn their driver’s license. At the same time, many teenagers feel invincible in their youth. While neither of these qualities is inherently bad, they can lead to reckless behavior that puts your teen and their friends at risk. Teenagers may put themselves in danger by driving while intoxicated or riding with an intoxicated driver. How can parents stress the dangers of drinking and driving without sounding like a broken record? The key is to foster trust and communication so that you can work together to create safe solutions. Learn more with this list of ways to prevent teens from drinking and driving.

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The Dangers and Consequences of Motorcycle DUIs

Drinking and driving is a serious crime no matter what kind of vehicle you’re in. Even if you don’t feel impaired, operating a vehicle after a few drinks can prove disastrous for yourself and other drivers. This is true whether you’re driving a big rig or cruising down the road on a motorcycle. In fact, the latter group often faces more danger than other intoxicated drivers. While many details of a DUI charge are the same across the board, there are a few striking differences you should know about drinking and driving as it relates to motorcycles. Check out this rundown on the dangers and consequences of motorcycle DUIs to learn more.

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How To Choose Car Insurance as a First-Time Car Owner

For many people, purchasing your first car is one of the initial steps into adulthood and independence. This life change is both exciting and daunting, and you want to make the right decision. That’s why it’s important to learn all you can about buying your car—and what to do post purchase. The more prepared you are, the easier the entire process will be. Make the most of this thrilling moment with this complete buyer’s guide for first-time car owners.

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How a DUI Affects Commercial Drivers

Drinking and driving is a serious offense that can have far-reaching repercussions for anyone. However, the consequences of a DUI become even more severe when you rely on your driving privileges to make a living. Commercial drivers spend their workdays in the driver’s seat, which means they have an obligation to be safe and responsible on the road. Disregarding this responsibility puts themselves, their jobs, and other drivers in danger. That’s why traffic violations—such as drinking and driving—come with stricter rules and consequences for anyone with a commercial driver’s license. Learn how a DUI affects commercial drivers with this overview.

Stricter Standards for Commercial Vehicles

When you drive a personal vehicle, you must have a blood alcohol content level of less than .08 percent—this is the federal legal limit in all states and Washington D.C. However, this limit is even lower for those driving commercial vehicles. When professional drivers operate their commercial vehicles, they are managing company property. To protect themselves, their vehicles, and the company’s reputation, they must adhere to stricter rules. When operating a CMV, or commercial motor vehicle, drivers must have a blood alcohol content level of less than .04 percent. While this is the federal standard, some states will have even stricter rules for specific commercial driver’s licenses. That’s why it’s crucial to check the laws of each state your job takes you to.

Losing Your CDL

License suspension or revocation is a common DUI consequence. Any driver who faces a DUI charge will lose their license for a time. However, commercial drivers face a much longer suspension than other drivers. While states will suspend a personal license for as little as just a few months, you could lose your CDL for as long as a year for your first offense. A second offense might lead to you losing your CDL for life. Not only does this affect your driving privileges, but it also has a drastic impact on your career. Even if you reinstate your CDL, some companies might refuse to hire you after your conviction.

Higher Insurance Rates

Auto insurance is a huge part of how a DUI affects commercial drivers. After a DUI charge or other major traffic violation, you might have to pay for SR22 insurance on your policy. This penalty can be stressful for anyone, but it’s particularly detrimental for commercial drivers—especially if you’re an independent contractor who owns your own commercial vehicle. With more of your pay going toward your insurance, you may have difficulties maintaining a reliable income. 

If you’re a commercial driver struggling with an SR22 insurance requirement, make sure you’re getting the best deal possible on your policy. Work with Serenity Group to learn more about the specific requirements of the SR22 in California or anywhere else you work and reside. We’ll help you compare quotes and find an auto insurance policy that allows you to keep doing what you love. 

Which States Have the Strictest Driving Laws?

All experienced drivers know the rules of the road depend on which state you live in. Whenever you cross into a different state, you have to be on the lookout for changing speed limits, different stances on cell phone usage, and drastically varied minimum and maximum sentences. While every state is different, there are some areas that take much stricter stances than others. Read on to learn which states have the strictest driving laws in terms of speeding, cell phone use, and driving under the influence.

Steepest Speeding Fines

No U.S. state requires jail time for speeding. However, many states will turn your speeding ticket into a reckless driving charge if you’re going too far over the limit. For example, if you drive 15 mph or more over the speed limit in Arkansas or North Carolina, the state will automatically turn your charge into a reckless driving case. This can lead to steeper fines and a jail sentence. However, the strictest speeding penalties exist in Georgia, Illinois, and Virginia. Georgia’s maximum speeding fine is $2,000, while Illinois and Virginia both have a maximum speeding fine of $2,500. In all three states, you can land a maximum jail sentence of one year.

Strictest Cell Phone Laws

Whether you’re texting or calling, cell phones create a distraction for drivers. If you’re not careful, that distraction can turn into a disastrous accident. That’s why many states have some form of laws restricting cell phone use behind the wheel. Delaware and New Jersey hold the strictest rules in this regard, banning texting and hand-held cell phone use for all drivers. They also have rules that prohibit any kind of cell phone use for school bus drivers and novice drivers with a learner or intermediate license. Other strict states—including Illinois, Arizona, and Georgia—have similar bans, but allow novice drivers to use their cell phones if they’re above a certain age (usually 19 years or older).

Strictest Drunk Driving Laws

When it comes to which states have the strictest driving laws, one of the most important issues is drunk driving. In this scenario, the strictest states are often the ones that have consistently severe consequences. This includes fines, jail time, driving privileges, and additional requirements such as SR22 insurance or ignition interlock devices. For example, Arizona requires all drunk drivers to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle after a first offense. A first offense can also land you a $750 fine, 10 days in jail, and a 90-day license suspension. A second offense leads to even steeper consequences, and a third offense will automatically turn your DUI from a misdemeanor into a felony. Meanwhile, Georgia holds similar jail sentences but only has a minimum fine of $300 for a first offense DUI.

DUIs, reckless driving charges, and other violations can lead to an SR22 requirement in certain states. Like the rest of these issues, some states have stricter rules and requirements than others. Fortunately, Serenity Group can help you learn more about SR22 insurance in California or any other state with SR22 laws. By quickly and easily finding the best SR22 insurance quotes, you can put more of your energy toward the other rules and requirements of your state.