2 DUIs in 1 year in 2001 - need to get a license

What is the name of your state? CA

I got 2 DUI, Last one in 9/01 I feel horrible for what I had done. It has created a hardship. I lost everything I own. I support a 16 year old and I am trying to move ahead. I finally got a job that did not do background check. I am paying the state of California Franchise Board $260 a month. I owe approxiamately $5000 In addition, I have almost completed the County Drinking driving program. Only 6 more meetings to go to. I got full coverage insurance with an SR-22. Problem is they won't give me an abstract to get a restricted unless I pay everything off. There is no way I can do that. I live check to check. Any ideas?

I got full coverage insurance with an SR-22. Problem is they won't give me an abstract to get a restricted unless I pay everything off. There is no way I can do that. I live check to check. Any ideas?

Having done insurance and been licensed in CA I think I may be able to answer this question somewhat.

Since you have shown yourself to be a high risk driver you are limited in your options as to what may be done.

1) You may appeal the decision to the underwriter. Depending on how the insurance company model is based you may or may not speak directly with the underwriter.

2) Search for a different insurance company whose modifications or restrictions to the insurance contract you can live with.

3) Learn to live with public transportation, which with you having 2 DUI's I would personally feel is more comfortable to me as a member of the driving public.

4) Continue with the shoe leather express.

Depending on the insurance company and their model, right now you are probably looking at high risk insurance companies for a while to come, the incidences will be chargeable for 3 years from the date of conviction in most states (not ticketing date, but the date you actually plead guilty or nolo or were found guilty). Those convictions can be CONSIDERED for up to 7 years in your placement in the risk pool hence affecting your premium or your overall insurability.
Since insurance is in some measure both a trust relationship and a statistical analysis based on multiple factors your past actions will haunt you and you will continue to pay it in many ways for several years. Statistically for every time a drunk driver is caught there were up to 10 times previously that they WEREN'T. It doesn't matter if these were the only 2 times that you ever drove intoxicated your actions were the same as those who HAD and since you chose to drive intoxicated the trust level in you is low.

Best advice I can give you is once you have obtained insurance that you can live with, on a yearly basis (like maybe a week after the last date of conviction for DUI) get quotes from other insurance companies. You will probably start to see some major premium differences around the 5 year mark after your conviction(s) are expired and more likely lower premiums can start to appear after you no longer are required to show the SR-22 to the state.

I could spend all day explaining this in detail, it is that complex and detailed. Basically put, you broke the public trust when you drove drunk and you are now paying the price so you have to take your lumps both personally, professionally and economically.

Jym