SR-22 Insurance: What It Is, How Long You Need It and FR-44
An SR-22 is not a type of policy. It is a promise from your insurer to the state, and the state hears about it the moment your coverage stops.
An SR-22 is a certificate your auto insurer files with your state’s motor vehicle agency to prove you carry at least the required liability insurance. States usually order it after a DUI, driving without insurance or a license suspension, and many require it for 3 years. Florida and Virginia use a stricter FR-44 certificate after DUI convictions, with higher liability limits.
The SR-22 is not a separate kind of insurance. It is attached to a regular liability policy, and the insurer must tell the state if that policy ends.
What triggers an SR-22 requirement?
A court or the state DMV orders an SR-22 when it wants proof that a high-risk driver stays insured. Common triggers include:
- a DUI or DWI conviction;
- driving without insurance, or a crash while uninsured;
- a license suspension or revocation, as a condition of reinstatement;
- serious or repeated traffic violations;
- an unpaid judgment from a crash.
The suspension notice or court order says whether you need an SR-22 and for how long. California’s DMV, for example, explains on its financial responsibility page that after a suspension for driving uninsured, proof of insurance must be filed and maintained with the DMV for three years under Vehicle Code 16430.
How long do I need an SR-22?
Three years is the most common period, but the length depends on the state and the offense, and the clock may start at conviction, at suspension or at reinstatement.
| State | Certificate | Coverage required | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | SR-22 | State minimum liability | 3 years after an uninsured-driving suspension (CVC 16430); some restricted-license paths require 4 years from the suspension date |
| Florida | FR-44 (DUI) | $100,000 per person / $300,000 per crash bodily injury and $50,000 property damage, or a $350,000 combined single limit | 3 years from reinstatement |
| Virginia | FR-44 (DUI and certain related offenses) | Double the state minimum limits | Set by DMV order; ask DMV |
Sources: California DMV; Florida Statute 324.023 and the FLHSMV DUI FAQ; Virginia DMV, as of November 2026. Virginia’s minimum limits for policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, are $50,000/$100,000/$25,000, so doubled limits work out to $100,000/$200,000/$50,000.
Do not cancel the policy the day you think the period ends. Confirm the end date with the DMV in writing first.
What is an FR-44, and how is it different?
An FR-44 is a financial responsibility certificate used in Florida and Virginia, mainly after DUI convictions. It works like an SR-22 but requires much higher liability limits.
In Florida, the higher limits apply to drivers convicted of DUI after October 1, 2007, and must be carried for 3 years from reinstatement of driving privileges. In Virginia, FR-44 limits are double the regular SR-22 limits and apply to convictions on or after January 1, 2008. Higher limits mean a higher premium, on top of the rate increase from the conviction itself.
What does an SR-22 cost?
Insurers usually charge a small one-time fee to file the certificate. The real cost is the premium, because the violation that triggered the SR-22 raises your rate.
Not every insurer files SR-22s, and some will not cover high-risk drivers at all. Ask several companies whether they file in your state, what the filing fee is and whether the quote includes the SR-22. Our guide to why car insurance goes up explains how violations and claims move premiums, and our state table of minimum car insurance shows the base limits an SR-22 policy must meet.
How do I get an SR-22?
- Read the DMV or court notice for the certificate type (SR-22 or FR-44), the state and the period.
- Contact an insurer licensed in that state and ask for a policy with an SR-22 or FR-44 filing.
- Pay the premium and filing fee. The insurer sends the certificate to the state, usually electronically.
- Confirm with the DMV that the filing was received before you drive or apply for reinstatement.
- Pay any reinstatement fee and complete other conditions, such as DUI classes or an ignition interlock.
If you do not own a car, ask about a non-owner policy with an SR-22, which covers you when you drive someone else’s vehicle.
What happens if my SR-22 policy lapses?
The insurer notifies the state when the policy is cancelled or lapses, and the state can suspend your license or registration again.
California’s DMV says registration can be suspended within 45 days if the insurer reports a cancellation and no replacement is filed, and a driving privilege under a proof requirement can be suspended until a new certificate is accepted. Set payments to autopay, and if you change insurers, make sure the new SR-22 is filed before the old policy ends.
Bottom line
An SR-22 or FR-44 is proof of insurance your insurer files with the state, usually for about 3 years after a serious violation. Keep the policy active without gaps for the full period, and confirm the end date with the DMV. For questions about your specific suspension, contact your state DMV or a licensed attorney.
FAQ
Is SR-22 a type of car insurance?
No. It is a certificate attached to a liability policy that proves to the state you are insured. You still buy regular coverage.
What if I move to another state with an SR-22?
The requirement is set by the state that ordered it, and moving does not cancel it. You may need an insurer that can file in that state while you live elsewhere, so tell both states’ DMVs and your insurer.
Can I drop full coverage once I have an SR-22?
The SR-22 only requires liability coverage at the state’s limits. A lender or lease company will still require collision and comprehensive on a financed car.
Does an SR-22 show on my driving record?
The state records the filing requirement, and insurers see the underlying violation on your driving record. Both affect your quotes until they age off.
