As a driver who's lost your license for a significant violation, you may be instructed to secure an SR-22 before you can get your driving privileges back. If so, it's important that you understand what this document is and what it means for you. Here's a look at some of the most common questions you might have and the answers you should know.

Isn't An SR-22 Just Car Insurance?

No. An SR-22 isn't an insurance policy at all. It's actually just a document that your insurance company sends to the Department of Motor Vehicles to confirm that you have an insurance policy to protect your financial interests. Your insurance company will require that you have a solid liability policy in place that meets the minimums required by your state before they'll send the statement, which is why so many people believe it to be insurance.

How Do You Know If You Need One?

You'll typically be notified by the Department of Motor Vehicles when your license suspension goes into effect. Along with that suspension notification will be an order to carry an SR-22. The SR-22 order is part of your sentence, so you'll even be informed when the sentence is read in court. If you don't receive that notice, you'll be informed of the SR-22 requirement when you go to pay the fine and reinstate your license. You won't be able to reinstate your license without the form on file if you are required to have one.

Is The SR-22 Expensive?

There's a common misconception that the SR-22 itself is expensive. In fact, the form itself usually costs very little to file. The cost associated usually comes from the surcharges on your insurance premium as a result of the violation that necessitated the SR-22.

For example, many drivers are ordered to carry an SR-22 after being convicted of driving under the influence, driving under suspension, or another serious violation. Drivers with those violations on their record are considered higher risk and therefore pay higher premium surcharges than other drivers. This leads to a misunderstanding about the SR-22 itself.

The SR-22 is usually kept on file by your Department of Motor Vehicles or the state's driver's licensing authority. You'll have to keep the policy in force for the length of the mandate before you can get your license restored in full. Talk with an insurance company, such as Angel Auto Insurance, today to see what your coverage options are with the SR-22 if you've been ordered to carry one.