The official California Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) web site confirms the need for SR22 after a DUI conviction. You can visit this page by clicking the link below:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/actions_aps_court.htm
Specifically, this portion of the DMV web page referenced above reads (bold areas added for emphasis):
Court DUI Convictions
If you are convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of either alcohol and/or drugs or both, and you have an excessive BAC level, you may be sentenced to serve up to six months in jail and pay a fine between $390—$1,000 (plus about three times the fine in penalty assessments) the first time you are convicted. Your vehicle may be impounded and is subject to storage fees.
On the first conviction, the court will suspend your driving privilege for six months and require you to complete a DUI program before your driver license can be reinstated. The length of the program may vary. If your BAC is 0.15% or higher, and you already have a record of violations for other reasons or you refuse to submit to a chemical test, the court may order you to complete a nine month or longer program. If your BAC is 0.20% or higher and the court refers you to an enhanced DUI treatment program, your driver license will be suspended for 10 months. You could also be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle. A court may also order you to install an IID if your BAC is 0.15% or higher, or you have two or more prior moving violations, or you refuse a chemical test at the time of your arrest. An IID prevents you from starting your vehicle if you have any alcohol on your breath. If anyone is injured as a result of your DUI the suspension period is one year.
Drivers 21 and Older—DUI Programs and Restricted Driver Licenses
The completion of a DUI program is required for all DUI convictions.
Generally, if you are over 21 years of age, enroll in a DUI program, file a California Insurance Proof Certificate (SR 22), and pay the restriction and reissue fees, the DMV will issue you a restricted driver license, which allows you to drive to/from work and during the course of employment (unless you hold a commercial driver license) and to/ from a DUI program. However, if you are considered a “traffic safety” or “public safety” risk, if permitted to drive, the court may order the DMV to not grant you a restricted driver license. Other actions against you may also prohibit the issuance of a restricted driver license (bold and larger font added for emphasis).
Second and subsequent DUI convictions result in increased penalties, including a two-year suspension or a revocation of up to four years. After you complete a prescribed period of your suspension/revocation and either enroll in, or complete a portion of, a DUI program, you may obtain a restricted license to drive anywhere necessary, if you:
- Install an IID on your vehicle.
- Agree not to drive any vehicle without an IID.
- Agree to complete the prescribed DUI program.
- File an SR 22 (bold and larger font added for emphasis).
- Pay the reissue and restriction fees.