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    SR-22 Insurance Explained

    Last updated: March 3, 2026

    The certificate you didn't know you'd need — and the insurance increase you weren't ready for. Here's how to handle it without overpaying.

    WHAT IS SR-22?

    It's NOT insurance — it's proof of insurance

    An SR-22 is a certificate your insurance company files with the state proving you carry at least the minimum required liability coverage. The state monitors it continuously. If your coverage lapses for even one day, your insurer reports it and your license gets suspended again.

    Who needs it: Almost everyone convicted of DUI/DWI, anyone whose license was suspended for refusing a breath/blood test, and anyone convicted of driving without insurance in connection with a DUI.

    SR-22 BY STATE

    What each state requires after a DUI or DWI, from official sources. Tap a state for its full guide.

    StateFilingHow long
    AlabamaProof of insuranceSee guide
    AlaskaSR-225 years
    ArizonaSR-223 years
    ArkansasProof of insuranceSee guide
    CaliforniaSR-223 years
    ColoradoSR-223 years
    ConnecticutNone required—
    DelawareProof of insuranceSee guide
    FloridaFR-443 years
    GeorgiaNone required—
    HawaiiSR-223 years
    IdahoSR-223 years
    IllinoisSR-223 years
    IndianaSR-223 years
    IowaSR-222 years
    KansasSR-221 years
    KentuckyNone required—
    LouisianaSR-223 years
    MaineSR-223 years
    MarylandNone required—
    MassachusettsNone required—
    MichiganNone required—
    MinnesotaNone required—
    MississippiSR-223 years
    MissouriSR-222 years
    MontanaProof of insuranceSee guide
    NebraskaSR-223 years
    NevadaSR-223 years
    New HampshireSR-223 years
    New JerseyProof of insurance3 years
    New MexicoProof of insuranceSee guide
    New YorkNone required—
    North CarolinaProof of insurance3 years
    North DakotaSR-221 years
    OhioProof of insuranceSee guide
    OklahomaProof of insuranceSee guide
    OregonSR-223 years
    PennsylvaniaNone required—
    Rhode IslandNone required—
    South CarolinaSR-223 years
    South DakotaSR-22See guide
    TennesseeSR-22See guide
    TexasSR-222 years
    UtahSR-223 years
    VermontSR-22See guide
    VirginiaFR-443 years
    WashingtonSR-223 years
    West VirginiaSR-22See guide
    WisconsinSR-223 years
    WyomingSR-223 years

    Florida and Virginia use an FR-44, which requires higher liability limits than an SR-22. Premiums vary by driving record, age, ZIP code, and insurer.

    THE REAL COST

    It's not just the filing fee

    The SR-22 filing costs $25. The insurance increase is the real hit.

    Before DUI

    ~$1,400/yr

    Average full coverage (all states)

    After DUI (with SR-22)

    ~$3,200–$5,600/yr

    Increase of 130–300%

    Total extra cost over SR-22 period

    $3,600–$12,600+

    2 years (TX) or 3 years (OK, AZ, NM, CA, FL) of increased premiums

    HOW TO PAY LESS

    1

    Get at least 5 quotes

    Insurers price DUI risk very differently. The cheapest and most expensive quote can differ by $1,500+/year. Don't just call your current insurer.

    2

    Try high-risk specialists

    Companies like Progressive, The General, Dairyland, and SafeAuto specialize in high-risk drivers and often beat standard insurers on SR-22 pricing.

    3

    Raise your deductible

    Going from a $500 to $1,000 deductible can cut premiums 15–25%. If you can afford the higher out-of-pocket risk, this is the easiest savings.

    4

    Complete a defensive driving course

    Most states offer insurance discounts (5–10%) for completing an approved defensive driving course. Some courts require it anyway — might as well get the insurance discount too.

    5

    Don't let it lapse — ever

    A single lapse resets the SR-22 clock AND adds another mark on your record. Set up autopay. Put reminders 30 days before renewal. This is the most expensive mistake you can make.

    6

    Re-shop every 6 months

    As time passes without incidents, your risk profile improves. Get new quotes every 6 months. You can switch insurers anytime — just make sure the new SR-22 is filed before canceling the old policy.

    MISTAKES THAT COST YOU

    Canceling before new SR-22 is filed: Even a 1-day gap triggers license suspension and resets the clock.

    Paying the first quote you get: Could cost you $1,500+ extra per year. Always compare.

    Not telling your insurer about the DUI: If they find out (and they will), your policy gets voided retroactively — you'll have driven uninsured.

    Driving before SR-22 is confirmed: Filing takes 24–72 hours. Driving before it's active = driving with a suspended license.

    DON'T OWN A CAR?

    Non-Owner SR-22 Policy

    You still need SR-22 to reinstate your license — even if you don't own a vehicle. A non-owner SR-22 policy covers you when driving borrowed or rental cars. It's typically 30–50% cheaper than a standard SR-22 policy since there's no vehicle to insure.

    Typical cost: $300–$800/year for non-owner SR-22 vs. $1,500–$4,000+ for standard.

    SR-22 TIMELINE

    Day 1: Get quotes

    Start shopping as soon as you know SR-22 is required. Get at least 5 quotes.

    Day 2–3: Purchase & file

    Buy the policy and have your insurer file the SR-22 electronically. Filing takes 24–72 hours to process.

    Day 3–7: Confirm with state

    Verify your SR-22 is on file with your state agency (TX DPS, Service OK, AZ MVD, NM MVD, CA DMV, or FL DHSMV). Don't drive until confirmed.

    Every 6 months: Re-shop

    Get new quotes. Switch if cheaper — but always overlap policies.

    Year 2 (TX) / Year 3 (OK, AZ, NM, CA, FL): Done

    SR-22 requirement ends. Your insurer stops filing. Rates should begin to drop — shop around again.

    STATE LICENSE GUIDES

    Alabama License Guide

    10-day deadline

    Alaska License Guide

    7-day deadline, SR-22

    Arizona License Guide

    30-day deadline, SR-22

    Arkansas License Guide

    7-day deadline

    California License Guide

    10-day deadline, SR-22

    Colorado License Guide

    7-day deadline, SR-22

    Connecticut License Guide

    7-day deadline

    Delaware License Guide

    15-day deadline

    Florida License Guide

    10-day deadline, FR-44

    Georgia License Guide

    30-day deadline

    Hawaii License Guide

    6-day deadline, SR-22

    Idaho License Guide

    7-day deadline, SR-22

    Illinois License Guide

    90-day deadline, SR-22

    Indiana License Guide

    Implied Consent / Probable Cause Suspension (BMV, on court finding), SR-22

    Iowa License Guide

    10-day deadline, SR-22

    Kansas License Guide

    14-day deadline, SR-22

    Kentucky License Guide

    Court-ordered pretrial suspension (no separate DMV administrative hearing)

    Louisiana License Guide

    30-day deadline, SR-22

    Maine License Guide

    10-day deadline, SR-22

    Maryland License Guide

    30-day deadline

    Massachusetts License Guide

    15-day deadline

    Michigan License Guide

    14-day deadline

    Minnesota License Guide

    60-day deadline

    Mississippi License Guide

    DPS administrative suspension (temporary permit, refusal suspension, and court review), SR-22

    Missouri License Guide

    15-day deadline, SR-22

    Montana License Guide

    30-day deadline

    Nebraska License Guide

    10-day deadline, SR-22

    Nevada License Guide

    7-day deadline, SR-22

    New Hampshire License Guide

    30-day deadline, SR-22

    New Jersey License Guide

    None — license loss is ordered by the municipal court on conviction

    New Mexico License Guide

    10-day deadline

    New York License Guide

    Suspension pending prosecution (court) and DMV chemical test refusal hearing

    North Carolina License Guide

    10-day deadline

    North Dakota License Guide

    10-day deadline, SR-22

    Ohio License Guide

    30-day deadline

    Oklahoma License Guide

    30-day deadline

    Oregon License Guide

    10-day deadline, SR-22

    Pennsylvania License Guide

    30-day deadline

    Rhode Island License Guide

    No administrative per se suspension; court suspension on conviction, and Traffic Tribunal refusal case

    South Carolina License Guide

    30-day deadline, SR-22

    South Dakota License Guide

    No administrative per se suspension; court revocation on conviction, and DPS refusal revocation, SR-22

    Tennessee License Guide

    Court-ordered revocation (no separate administrative hearing), SR-22

    Texas License Guide

    15-day deadline, SR-22

    Utah License Guide

    10-day deadline, SR-22

    Vermont License Guide

    7-day deadline, SR-22

    Virginia License Guide

    7-day deadline, FR-44

    Washington License Guide

    7-day deadline, SR-22

    West Virginia License Guide

    DMV revocation upon DUI conviction (administrative hearings ended July 1, 2020), SR-22

    Wisconsin License Guide

    10-day deadline, SR-22

    Wyoming License Guide

    20-day deadline, SR-22

    DUI & Your Career

    Profession-specific impacts & what to do

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    An SR-22 is NOT insurance itself — it's a certificate filed by your insurance company with your state's DMV proving you carry the minimum required liability coverage. Think of it as a 'proof of responsibility' form. Your insurer files it electronically, and the state monitors it. If your policy lapses for even one day, your insurer notifies the state and your license gets suspended again.

    The SR-22 filing fee itself is typically $15–$50 one-time. The real cost is the insurance premium increase. After a DUI/DWI, expect your auto insurance to increase 40–300% depending on your record, age, and insurer. Annual costs range from $1,100–$5,000+ depending on your state. Shopping around can save you $500–$1,500 annually.

    It depends on your state — most that require one set 2 or 3 years, and some don't require a filing at all. The table on this page lists every state. If your policy lapses, the clock usually starts over. Florida and Virginia require an FR-44, which has higher liability limits than an SR-22.

    Your insurance company immediately notifies the state (within 24–48 hours). Your license gets suspended again — automatically. You'll need to pay reinstatement fees again ($100–$200+ depending on state), and the SR-22 clock resets to day one. Even switching insurers requires careful timing — your new company must file the SR-22 before the old policy ends. Never cancel first and file later.

    Yes — this is called a 'non-owner SR-22' policy. It covers you when driving vehicles you don't own (borrowed, rental). It's typically cheaper than a standard SR-22 policy because there's no vehicle to insure. This is common for people whose license was suspended and who sold their car or don't currently own one. You still need it to reinstate your license.

    The SR-22 filing itself appears on your driving record with the state DMV/DPS. Future insurance companies can see that you have or had an SR-22 requirement, which signals a high-risk driver status. This is one reason premiums stay elevated even after the SR-22 period ends — it can take 3–5 additional years for rates to fully normalize.

    Yes, and you should shop around regularly. The key rule: your new insurer must file the SR-22 BEFORE your old policy ends. There cannot be any gap. Ask your new insurer to confirm the SR-22 filing date, then cancel your old policy effective that same date or later. A one-day gap triggers license suspension.

    Disclaimer: This is general educational information, not legal or insurance advice. SR-22 requirements, costs, and timelines vary by individual circumstances. Insurance rates depend on your full driving record, age, location, vehicle, and other factors. Consult with a licensed insurance agent and/or attorney for guidance specific to your case. Information current as of February 2026.