Reader’s Question:

Can I drive my mother’s car here in Texas if I have SR22?

Garrett

Austin, TX

The form SR22 is filed by a car insurance company with the Texas Department of Public Safety and Motor Vehicles to prove that an individual has car insurance coverage in effect.

There are two reasons why an individual may be required to obtain SR22. First will be because of a DUI conviction where an offender will be obligated to take high-risk car insurance coverage as one of the penalties of his or her crime. This insurance is needed for an offender’s driver’s license and/or vehicle registration reinstatement. The DUI offender will be required to maintain the SR22 for at least two to three years depending on the court’s directive. Failure to do so will result in permanent cancellation of driving privileges and the vehicle will be impounded. If SR22 lapses or is cancelled, the insurer will report this to the Department of Public Safety and the offender will lose his or her driver’s license totally.

The second reason SR22 is obtained is through a non-owners car insurance policy. This provides any individual the right to drive a motor vehicle he or she does not own.

In your case, we need to establish why you have SR22. If it is due to a DUI conviction, then you will need to inquire from the Department of Public Safety about the restrictions on your driving privileges so as to be sure that you are not violating any court sanction. If what you have is a non-owners SR22 insurance policy, then yes, you can drive your mother’s car provided that she agrees to lend it to you.

Tags: DUI, high risk insurance, sr22 car insurance, SR22 Form, sr22 insurance