In this article:
An SR-22 is a form which verifies that you have sufficient auto insurance coverage to meet your state's minimum requirements. You may need to file one if you violate certain laws, and having one can make coverage more expensive and difficult to obtain.
Here's what you need to know about SR-22s, including how the process works, when you need to file one and how it can impact your car insurance options and rates.
What Is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is a court-ordered form you'll need to file with your state to indicate that you have enough insurance coverage to meet your state's minimum requirements. Depending on where you live, an SR-22 may also be referred to as a certificate of financial responsibility or an SR-22 bond.
There are three types of SR-22 forms, and your situation will dictate which one you'll need:
- Owner certificate: Covers you when driving the vehicle you own
- Operator certificate: Covers you when driving a vehicle you don't own; also known as a non-owners certificate
- Owner-operator certificate: Covers you when driving any vehicle
That said, not all states require an SR-22 for high-risk drivers. Read on to learn more about state requirements.
Do I Need an SR-22?
You only need to file an SR-22 if you've been ordered to by a court for violating certain laws. Examples include:
- Driving without sufficient insurance coverage
- Driving without a license
- Conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Excessive violations or at-fault accidents
- Repeated violations within a short period of time
- Reckless driving
- Not paying court-ordered child support
If you've had your license suspended or revoked, your state's department of motor vehicles (DMV) may issue a hardship or restricted license for certain needs, such as driving to work or school. However, an SR-22 is typically a stipulation for getting one.
FR-44 vs. SR-22
An FR-44 is similar to an SR-22, but it's only required in Florida and Virginia. What's more, an FR-44 form is typically only used for more serious offenses, such as a DUI with a high blood alcohol level or repeated offenses.
Also, while an SR-22 stipulates that the driver must maintain the state's minimum liability coverage amounts, an FR-44 often requires the driver to purchase much more than the minimum requirement.
In Virginia, for instance, the standard minimum liability coverage is $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability coverage, plus $40,000 of property damage liability coverage. With an FR-44, however, the minimum is $60,000/$120,000/$40,000.
How Much Does an SR-22 Cost?
Filing and maintaining insurance with an SR-22 can be costly, both in terms of filing fees and higher insurance rates.
Each time you renew your policy, you'll need to file a new SR-22. While the filing fee can vary by state, it's typically $25. If you're required to file an SR-22 for three years, then you may be required to pay $25 between three and six times, depending on how long your policy periods last.
Because an SR-22 indicates that you're a high-risk driver, you can also expect insurance providers to charge higher premiums—both for the certificate and for the incident that caused you to need the form. Exactly how much your rates will go up will depend on several factors, such as where you live, your driving record, your claims history and the violation itself.
Learn more: Why Did My Car Insurance Go Up?
How Long Is an SR-22 Required?
In most states, an SR-22 will be in effect for three years from the date of the offense. However, some states may have longer or shorter requirements, so check with your local DMV to get details for your situation.
SR22/FR44 Insurance Requirements by State
Alabama
You generally need an SR-22 for three years.
Alaska
For most offenses, you'll need to maintain an SR-22 for three years from the date your driving privileges have been restored. For DUI and refusal convictions, however, the term ranges from five to 20 years, or possibly even for life, depending on the number of offenses.
Arizona
You'll typically need an SR-22 for three years from the date of your suspension, though it can be different in some cases.
Arkansas
For most offenses, the duration of the SR-22 requirement is three years. With DUIs, however, it can last up to 10 years for repeat offenses.
California
You'll typically need an SR-22 for three years.
Colorado
You can expect to need an SR-22 for three years.
Connecticut
You'll typically need to maintain SR-22 insurance for three to five years, depending on the severity of the offense.
Delaware
The state of Delaware does not require SR-22 insurance.
District of Columbia
You'll typically need to maintain an SR-22 for three years.
Florida
For certain violations, you may need an SR-22 form for three years. However, more serious offenses, such as a DUI, may require an FR-44, which also lasts for three years.
Georgia
Also called an SR-22A, you must maintain your coverage for three years from the conviction date.
Hawaii
You'll need to maintain SR-22 insurance for three years from your conviction date.
Idaho
You may need to file an SR-22 form for just one year for your first offense, but that increases to three years with each subsequent offense.
Illinois
You'll need to maintain an SR-22 for three years.
Indiana
For violations before December 31, 2021, the SR-22 period is three or five years, depending on your offense. For violations after that date, the SR-22 period is just six months.
Iowa
You'll need to maintain an SR-22 for two years from the date of your suspension or revocation.
Kansas
The state requires violators to maintain SR-22 coverage for one full year.
Kentucky
The state of Kentucky doesn't require an SR-22.
Louisiana
You'll typically need to maintain SR-22 insurance for three years.
Maine
You'll generally need an SR-22 for three years.
Maryland
The state of Maryland doesn't require an SR-22 form.
Massachusetts
The state of Maryland doesn't require an SR-22 form.
Michigan
The general timeline is three years, but it may vary depending on your violation.
Minnesota
The state of Minnesota doesn't require an SR-22 form.
Mississippi
You'll need to maintain SR-22 insurance for a minimum of three years.
Missouri
You may need to maintain an SR-22 form for two or three years, depending on your violation.
Montana
You'll need to pay for SR-22 insurance for three years.
Nebraska
You'll need to maintain an SR-22 form for three years.
Nevada
You'll need to maintain an SR-22 form for three years.
New Hampshire
The state requires SR-22 insurance for a minimum of three years.
New Jersey
The state of New Jersey doesn't require an SR-22 form.
New Mexico
The state of New Mexico doesn't require an SR-22 form.
New York
The state of New York doesn't require an SR-22 form.
North Carolina
The state of North Carolina does not require SR-22 insurance.
North Dakota
You'll need to maintain SR-22 insurance for just one year.
Ohio
First-time offenders must maintain an SR-22 form for three years, but that increases to five years for subsequent offenses.
Oklahoma
The state of Oklahoma does not require SR-22 insurance.
Oregon
You'll typically need to maintain SR-22 insurance for three years.
Pennsylvania
The state of Pennsylvania does not require SR-22 insurance.
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island does not require SR-22 insurance.
South Carolina
You'll need to maintain SR-22 insurance for three years.
South Dakota
You must have an SR-22 form for three years.
Tennessee
Your SR-22 insurance must be in place for the duration of your suspension or revocation period.
Texas
The state requires an SR-22 for two years from the conviction or judgment date.
Utah
You'll be required to maintain SR-22 coverage for three years.
Vermont
The state requires an SR-22 filing for three years from the suspension date or other event that caused it.
Virginia
For both SR-22 and FR-44 forms, the requirement remains in place for three years from the date of suspension.
Washington
In most cases, you'll need to maintain SR-22 insurance for three years from the date you're eligible to reinstate your license.
West Virginia
The state of West Virginia does not require an SR-22 form.
Wisconsin
You must maintain your SR-22 filing for three years from the date you're eligible to reinstate your driving privileges.
Wyoming
You'll need to maintain SR-22 insurance for three years from the date of your suspension.
Stop overpaying for insurance
Answer some questions about your current plan and get matched to personalized quotes.
We’ll show you offers from our top insurance carriers and help you shop for better rates in the future.
From switching your policy to canceling and requesting a partial refund on your old plan, we help you do it all.
Get startedResults will vary and some may not see savings.
How to Get SR-22 Insurance
Depending on your situation, getting coverage with an SR-22 can be challenging because some insurers don't offer coverage to drivers with one due to the added risk. That said, here are some steps you can take to get the coverage you need while minimizing your costs:
- Check with your current insurer. If you already have an insurance policy, contact your insurer and ask if it offers SR-22 form filing. If so, you can provide the letter mandating an SR-22 and discuss your coverage options, then the insurer will handle the filing.
- Shop around. If you don't have insurance coverage, your insurance provider dropped you or you simply want to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere, take some time to obtain quotes from multiple insurers to compare your options. Be sure to share your situation upfront, so you can make apples-to-apples comparisons. With Experian's free auto insurance comparison tool, you can compare SR-22 quotes from multiple carriers in one place.
- Provide the order. Once you choose an insurance provider, you may need to share a copy of the letter or mandate you received from the DMV requiring an SR-22.
- Follow up with the DMV. Once you purchase a policy, the insurer will file the SR-22 form with your state's DMV. Contact the DMV to confirm that the filing was completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Insurance Companies Provide SR-22 Insurance?
The insurers that offer SR-22 insurance coverage may vary depending on where you live. However, some of the more well-known insurance providers that offer it include GEICO, Progressive and State Farm.
How Long Is an SR-22 Valid?
You'll typically need to file a new SR-22 form with your state each time you renew your auto insurance policy. In most cases, insurers renew policies every six or 12 months.
You'll need to maintain an SR-22 filing for as long as your state requires.
What Happens if I Need an SR-22 and Don't Own a Car?
Some insurers may offer non-owner SR-22 insurance coverage, which you can buy even if you don't own a vehicle.
Does an SR-22 Require a Defensive Driving Course?
You don't necessarily need to complete a defensive driving course to obtain an SR-22 certificate. However, a court may determine that you need to attend such a course for the violation that resulted in the SR-22 requirement.
The Bottom Line
An SR-22 is just one of many consequences for risky driving, but in many cases, it's among the most expensive. While it's best to avoid the infractions that could result in an SR-22 in the first place, there are still things you can do to save money on SR-22 insurance if that ship has already sailed.
Whatever you do, it's crucial that you follow the court order promptly and maintain sufficient coverage for the duration of your SR-22 period.