How to get license back after suspension for no insurance

What is a license suspension?

A license suspension is a temporary hold on your license that prohibits you from legally driving. To lift a license suspension, you must fulfill certain requirements that are outlined by your state's department or bureau of motor vehicles. Your license can be suspended for various reasons like reckless driving, receiving multiple traffic tickets in a short amount of time, failure to show proof of insurance, driving without insurance, and DUIs.

A suspended license is different than a revoked license. If your license has been revoked, it's been permanently canceled. Whether or not you can get a new license will vary by state and the reason your license was revoked.

Do I need car insurance if my license has been suspended?

In most cases, it's a good idea to keep your car insurance when your license is suspended. A few reasons include:

• Insurers don't like gaps in coverage: Insurance companies consider a lapse in coverage to be a red flag because it's often associated with higher risk drivers. While your insurance rate will likely be higher after a license suspension, your rates could go up even further if you have a gap in coverage.
• You may be eligible for a restricted or hardship license: This allows you to legally drive to specific locations, such as work, school, or medical appointments. You must apply for a hardship license with the state, and they'll decide based on your circumstances. If you're granted a restricted license, you'll need car insurance to drive.
• You need insurance to get your license reinstated: Before your license can be reinstated, you'll often have to complete certain steps like paying outstanding fines, completing a defensive driving course, and providing proof of car insurance. Your insurance company may also need to file an SR-22.
• Your loan or lease company requires it: If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, you'll likely be required to carry insurance to protect their investment.

Even if you're not driving your car, it could still be damaged. Your vehicle could be involved in a hit and run while parked or it could be stolen, vandalized, or destroyed in a fire while sitting in your driveway. If you're not carrying auto insurance while your license is suspended, you'll be responsible for all repairs or replacement of the vehicle. If you are financing or leasing your vehicle, you'll also be in violation of your agreement if it requires you to maintain certain insurance coverages.

What about dropping coverages?

If you're required to carry an SR-22 to get your license reinstated, you won't be able to make changes to your auto liability coverage limits. You may choose to drop optional coverages like comprehensive and collision coverage, but if you leased or financed your vehicle, your lender will still likely require you to carry these specific coverages to protect their investment. To ensure that you are meeting all state and lender requirements, make sure to carefully consider any changes to your insurance policy while your license is suspended.

How difficult is it to get insurance with a suspended license?

It will depend on the reason that your license was suspended and the need to file an SR-22. In many instances, you shouldn't have much difficulty finding car insurance after your license is suspended or if you've had your license reinstated, but it may be more difficult if you're required to submit an SR-22 because many insurance companies don't offer SR-22 filings.

An SR-22 is a form that your insurance company must file with your state's department or bureau of motor vehicles to confirm that you're carrying the required amount of insurance to drive legally. If you fail to make your payments or your policy lapses, your insurer will notify the state and your license will be re-suspended or revoked. If you need an SR-22, let potential insurers known upfront to help narrow down your options.

When do I need an SR-22 to reinstate my license?

It will vary by state. If you've been convicted of a more serious offense like a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance, you'll most likely have to provide an SR-22 to get your license back. In most cases, the state will notify you if you need an SR-22 to get your license reinstated.

Will my insurance rate increase with a suspended license?

Your insurance rate may go up if you have a license suspension in your driving history. How long your suspension impacts your rate will vary based on the reason your license was suspended and how long your state keeps that specific type of violation on their driving records.

If your driver's license is suspended, it may be difficult to get auto insurance because insurers generally won't offer coverage if you are not legally able to drive or if you drive illegally while your license is suspended. If you do get car insurance eventually, your rates may also increase significantly.

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However, drivers with suspended licenses can still find car insurance — depending on the terms of your license suspension — if they first obtain a restricted license or get SR-22 insurance. Furthermore, comparing rates across multiple insurers is often the best way to find savings on car insurance.

Getting auto insurance with a suspended license

Often, when you have a suspended license, the best course of action is to obtain a restricted license from your state's department of motor vehicles, which may conditionally reinstate your driving privileges. Additionally, in some cases, getting SR-22 insurance may be the only way to get car insurance coverage and regain your driving privileges after your license is suspended.

Apply for a restricted or conditional license

Certain insurers may offer you insurance coverage if you can successfully apply for a restricted license. To find a car insurance policy with a restricted license, you will likely be limited to non-standard insurance, an insurance tier that covers high-risk drivers. Non-standard insurers include:

A restricted license, also known as a hardship license, conditionally reinstates your driving privileges if your license was previously suspended for a traffic violation. Your eligibility and the specific terms for your restricted license vary by state. However, you may be ineligible to apply for a restricted license if you have had a previous suspension. Additionally, a restricted license may only allow you to drive during the day or only for designated purposes, such as getting to work or school.

In some states, instead of a restricted license, you can apply for a conditional license if your driving privileges have been suspended. Getting a conditional license reinstates your ability to drive — usually under the condition that you complete a DMV-sponsored driving program.

In New York, for example, drivers whose licenses have been suspended for a drinking and driving violation could receive a conditional license if they attend a DMV-approved Impaired Driver Program.

Get SR-22 insurance

If your license was suspended because of a serious traffic violation, such as driving while intoxicated or without insurance, your state may require you to get an SR-22 insurance policy before your license can be reinstated. SR-22 insurance is a type of policy in which your insurer files a form with the DMV that attests you have the required auto insurance coverage in your state.

Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes for SR-22

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Though most insurers can offer you SR-22 coverage, some standard insurers may not give you a quote because they consider you a high-risk driver. Instead, non-standard car insurance companies — such as The General, Acceptance and Titan — may be your best options to insure your vehicle.

How to get cheap car insurance with a suspended license

Though it might be tempting to stick with your current insurer, the best way to get cheap car insurance rates is to compare quotes from multiple companies. This is because insurers weigh traffic violations differently when setting rates, so you will have to shop around to find the cheapest car insurance company if your license is suspended.

Why you should maintain car insurance while your license is suspended

If you are in the middle of your insurance policy's term and your license is suspended, you should not cancel your coverage. A gap in coverage, which happens when you cancel a policy with no other coverage in place, can cause rates to skyrocket whenever you next shop for auto insurance.

You may be tempted to cancel your policy in order to save on insurance premiums; however, we have found that rates could increase by 29% for drivers with a lapse in coverage. So what you could potentially save on premiums will likely not be worth the hike in rates when you purchase your next car insurance policy.

Can you rent a car with a suspended license?

Car rental companies will not allow you to rent a car with a suspended license. Furthermore, many major rental car companies — including Avis, Budget and Dollar — reserve the right to perform an electronic DMV check of your driving record to confirm your license isn't suspended or revoked. Additionally, some rental car agencies may reject drivers if they have recent traffic violations such as DUIs.

Can you buy a car with a suspended license?

There is not a specific requirement that you must have a valid license when you buy a vehicle, although you'll have to provide proof of insurance when registering your car. So while it's technically possible to buy a car with a suspended license and get a title in your name, you'll have to get insurance before you can register the vehicle.

Additionally, if you are planning to finance your purchase, it may be quite difficult to buy a car with a suspended license. The company providing you an auto loan will likely reject you without a valid license.

Registering a car with a suspended license

In most states, it is not a requirement to have a valid license to register a vehicle. However, you will likely be required to provide proof of insurance as well as the proper identifying documents.

To first get insurance, you will have to utilize one of the methods detailed above, such as applying for a hardship license or getting SR-22 insurance. After obtaining coverage, you can apply for registration through your state's motor vehicle office.

Methodology

To find the typical cost of car insurance after an insurance lapse (which drivers may be tempted to allow after their license is suspended), we collected sample rates for drivers in New York and Pennsylvania from three major insurers at three intervals: no lapse in coverage, a short lapse (less than 30 days) and a long lapse (more than 30 days).

The conditions under which your license is suspended also impact your rates. If you have received a DUI, for example, that would also impact your rates once your license is reinstated.

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