The typical "nonstandard" (or high-risk) driver might be of any social or economic background, and the perception is that they are mainly young males. But it's not just 20-something males that fall into this category. Anyone who has had a major violation, such as DUI, or multiple smaller violations, such as speeding, can be considered a high-risk driver by car insurance companies.

Being classified as a nonstandard driver might also be the result of the type of car you drive. It doesn't come as much of a surprise to find out that someone driving a high-performance sports car will likely be a greater risk. What might be less obvious is that anyone tooling about in a motor home is also a higher risk. This means seniors touring the country in their RVs are considered nonstandard drivers.

Premiums for younger nonstandard drivers can also be higher than older ones and rural ones less than urban ones. And folks with little or no driving experience may start off as nonstandard drivers until they establish a clean driving record.

Letting auto insurance lapse can also land you in the nonstandard category. While most people don't intend to let their insurance slip, sending in your premium late can result in lapsed coverage.

Sometimes nonstandard drivers, like those with a DUI conviction, have to file a form called an SR-22 with their state insurance departments. It shows that even though you have a violation, you do have insurance. Not all auto insurers will provide SR-22 form filings, so that will create another hurdle.

So, what's it going to cost me?

The bottom line is that being a nonstandard driver is going to cost you a lot of money. Just how much higher depends on why you're considered a high risk in the first place. But, in general, the premiums for a nonstandard driver can range from around 10 or 15 percent more than a similar standard driver to more than three times the regular premiums. This also varies by state.

If you've managed to create a terrible driving record for yourself, you may be stuck in your state's assigned-risk pool, which is the insurer of last resort. In this pool, you're going to pay the highest rates going. But make sure to thoroughly shop around before you jump into the pool. Many auto insurers like Allstate, GEICO, Progressive and State Farm sell nonstandard policies, or have units that sell them. Your insurance agent or state department of insurance will be able to tell you who sells nonstandard auto insurance in your state.

What do I do to lower my risk?

The actions to get yourself reclassified as a standard-risk driver are fairly obvious: Don't cause any accidents, don't get any tickets for speeding or driving while intoxicated, and keep sending in those premium payments on time.

Generally, if you have a clean record for three years after a serious traffic violation, such as a citation for DUI, your auto insurance will drop back down to standard rates. But, depending on your violations and insurance company, it might take as long as five years or more.

Shopping around for a good rate during this period might yield better results than staying with your current insurance company.

Of course, selling the Lamborghini and buying a sedan might help, too.