If you've been ticketed for multiple moving violations like speeding or convicted of a major traffic offense (such as a DUI), car insurance companies may consider you a "high-risk" driver.

Nonstandard (or high-risk) drivers can be any age and come from all sorts of social or economic backgrounds. Falling into this category may also result from 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 driving a motor home is also a higher risk. The cost of RVs and the potential for extensive physical damage in an accident mean the ordinary coverage minimums that apply to passenger cars are too low for RVs. For more on RV insurance, read about RVs: All the comforts of home — including insurance.

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

In some states, nonstandard drivers (like those with a DUI conviction) must file a form called an SR-22 with their state insurance departments to prove they carry insurance. But not all auto insurers will provide SR-22 form filings, so that creates another hurdle.

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. In general, the premiums for a nonstandard driver can range from around 10 or 15 percent more than a standard driver to more than three times the regular premiums. This also varies by state.

If you have a terrible driving record, 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 in the market. Make sure to shop around before you jump into the pool. Many car 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.

How do I become lower risk?

The actions to get yourself reclassified as a standard-risk driver are fairly obvious: Don't cause any accidents, pay your premium on time, don't drive while intoxicated and don't speed.

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.