SR-22 Requirements by State
SR-22 insurance and DUI insurance are ways for high-risk motorists — such as those who have been convicted of a serious traffic offense — to get back on the road. This state-by-state guide explains how SR-22 and DUI insurance differ by state. You can check this other state-by-state guide to find out how to reinstate your license after its been suspended.
What Is SR-22 Insurance?
Technically, SR-22 insurance isn’t really an actual type of insurance. An SR-22 is simply a form that insurance companies fill out in order to guarantee that a high-risk motorist is maintaining the minimum required insurance. This form also sets a precedent wherein the state is informed if the driver changes vehicles, lapses on or cancels their insurance, or fails to pay their premiums.
An SR-22 is required after serious traffic offenses and is filed along with a high-risk insurance policy. Drivers can think of it as a way to get back on the road when options are minimal. Though it tends to cost around twice as much as regular insurance, this varies by state. Shopping for policies with different insurers is a great way to save on an SR-22 insurance policy.
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Alabama
If you have committed a driving offense such as reckless driving, a DUI, or driving without insurance, you will likely need SR-22 insurance in Alabama. The typical required period for an SR-22 is three years, though this will increase with the gravity of the offense.
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Alaska
SR-22 insurance in Alaska is required for certain high-risk drivers who have committed a serious offense. This document proves financial responsibility, indicating to the state that the driver has the minimum coverage needed to get back on the road. Your SR-22 filing will be made with the Alaska DMV.
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Arizona
In Arizona, an SR-22 will be mandated if the driver has committed an offense, including a DUI, multiple speeding tickets, reckless driving, or other serious violation. High-risk SR-22 insurance in Arizona will carry the state’s mandatory minimum coverage: $15,000 for the death or injury of one person, $30,000 for multiple injuries or deaths, and $10,000 to cover property damage.
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Arkansas
Arkansas drivers who have committed serious offenses will need to carry SR-22 insurance continuously for a specified period of time. Motorists who have committed two offenses must hold SR-22 insurance for five years; third offenders, 10 years; fourth offenders, 20 years. Past four offenses, the court may rule the motorist needs to carry an SR-22 for life.
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California
California mandates an SR-22 for DUI offenders as well as certain counts of reckless driving or driving without insurance. Multiple DUI offenders will be required to use an ignition interlock device to use their vehicles and will need to carry SR-22 insurance for a number of years.
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Colorado
SR-22 insurance in Colorado is required as proof that the driver is insured at the minimum coverage levels. This is a necessary step to reinstate a revoked license — the driver’s insurance company files the SR-22 with the state to guarantee liability coverage.
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Connecticut
In Connecticut, filing an SR-22 insurance form provides the state with an avenue to keep track of a driver’s insurance and car ownership to monitor potential violations. The driver needs to keep their SR-22 continuously, avoiding any lapses, cancelations, or failures to pay. Lapsing on insurance can cause the SR-22 period to restart from scratch.
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Delaware
Delaware requires an SR-22 after a number of serious offenses, including DUIs and driving without insurance. First-time offenders caught driving without insurance will owe the state $1,500 in fines, while second-time offenders owe $3,000 and will have their license suspended.
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Florida
Florida drivers will be required to have an FR-44 form, which is similar to the SR-22 form. These drivers will generally have three options. The first is an auto-owner policy for those who own their vehicle. The second is a non-owners FR-44 insurance policy, where a non-owner receives limited coverage to drive another person’s car — as long as that person isn’t living in their household. Motorcyclists can also have FR-44 filings.
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Georgia
SR-22 insurance in Georgia covers the state’s mandated minimums of $25,000 for a single person’s injury or death, $50,000 for multiple injuries or death, and $25,000 for property damage. Failing to have this coverage after a serious offense can cause the process of regaining your license to start over.
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Hawaii
In Hawaii, an SR-22 form is filed by a motorist’s insurance company and sent to the state. This serves as a guarantee that the motorist has sufficient liability coverage and is reserved for motorists deemed to be a high risk because of serious traffic offenses.
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Idaho
You will need SR-22 insurance in Idaho if your license has been suspended or revoked and you wish to get back on the road. Typical offenses requiring an SR-22 include a DUI, reckless driving, driving without insurance, getting into an accident while uninsured, committing a felony in a motor vehicle, and others.
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Illinois
If the court has ordered you to have an SR-22 on your record in Illinois, it is because you have committed a serious offense and are deemed high risk. An insurer will fill out this form and submit it to the state for you — just be sure not to let your coverage lapse, or you’ll have to start the process all over.
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Indiana
Indiana SR-22 insurance is required for three years for first- and second-time license suspensions, but a third offense will mean mandatory SR-22 insurance for five years. This keeps the state up to date with a driver’s insurance to make sure they have the minimum coverage.
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Iowa
To find SR-22 insurance in Iowa, shop around for different insurers until you find a policy that best suits you. The minimum coverage you’ll need is $25,000 for a single person’s injury or death, $40,000 for total damages to multiple persons, and $15,000 for damage to property.
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Kansas
Kansas imposes some of the nation’s strictest DUI consequences. A first offense results in a minimum of 100 hours of community service or two days in jail and $500 to $1,000 in fines with 330 days of license restriction after a suspension period. SR-22 insurance is crucial in Kansas.
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Kentucky
While Kentucky doesn’t require SR-22 insurance, any driver with an SR-22 mandate in another state will need to keep it current while in Kentucky.
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Louisiana
In Louisiana, an SR-22 car insurance certificate is often mandatory for drivers with DUIs and who drove without insurance or got into an accident without insurance, who failed to pay for damages in an accident, as well as other violations. You should shop around to find the cheapest SR-22 insurance in Louisiana.
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Maine
Getting a DUI, driving without insurance or a driver’s license, and committing multiple traffic offenses are all grounds for SR-22 insurance in Maine. The driver’s insurance company will fill out and file this form with the state as a guarantee that the driver is covered.
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Maryland
If you’ve been convicted of a serious driving offense in Maryland, you will need to carry minimum coverage with an SR-22. Minimum liability in Maryland includes $30,000 per death or bodily injury from an accident, $60,000 for multiple deaths or bodily injuries, and $15,000 to cover the damage of property.
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Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not require an SR-22 — however, if a driver from another state has an SR-22 mandate from that state, they will need to have minimum coverage. Massachusetts does impose its own mandatory minimum coverage requirements.
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Michigan
Michigan’s SR-22 insurance is the most expensive anywhere in the country. That makes it even more important to know how to shop for the cheapest SR-22 insurance available, which will include taking all the steps required by the DMV to get back on the road. Comparing different insurers is the most important step for finding more affordable SR-22 insurance.
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Minnesota
An SR-22 is not required by Minnesota, though drivers with an SR-22 mandate from another state will need to maintain their minimum coverage to avoid having their license suspended in Minnesota.
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Mississippi
In Mississippi, a driver may be required to carry an SR-22 to prove they have minimum coverage. Common reasons Mississippi requires an SR-22 include a DUI charge, suspended or revoked license, failing to stop after an accident, reckless driving, and a DUI under age 21.
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Missouri
Missouri mandates the use of an SR-22 form in order to guarantee financial responsibility at the minimum coverage rates. This is common for those who have lost their license due to a DUI, driving without insurance, reckless driving, and other serious charges.
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Montana
Montana is an at-fault state — this means if a driver caused an accident, they are responsible for all of the resulting costs. The driver needs to file a claim with their insurer, and if the insurance policy is not enough to cover the accident, their personal assets may be repossessed to pay.
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Nebraska
Nebraska requires an SR-22 as an add-on to high-risk insurance policies for drivers whose license has been suspended or revoked. This could be due to serious offenses like court convictions, a DUI, driving without a license or insurance, or other serious offense.
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Nevada
Nevada requires high-risk drivers to carry an SR-22 form after a serious offense. Minimum coverage under the driver’s policy has to have at least $15,000 for an individual death or injury, $30,000 for multiple injuries or deaths, and $10,000 for property damage.
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New Hampshire
If you have lost your license due to a serious charge like a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance, New Hampshire will require you to have an SR-22 form on record to get back on the road. This is the only way to drive again after a major violation.
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New Jersey
The Motor Vehicle Commission of New Jersey will require an SR-22 in situations where a motorist has committed a major traffic violation. This could include drivers with 6+ points on their driver’s license, those who have a DUI, those who refused a breathalyzer test, and those who were driving without insurance.
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New Mexico
New Mexico does not mandate an SR-22 but requires $25,000 of coverage for a single death or injury, $50,000 for multiple deaths or injuries, and $10,000 property damage.
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New York
New York is another of the few states that do not require SR-22s. However, serious traffic offense convictions incurred in New York could require drivers to have SR-22 insurance if they move to another state.
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North Carolina
It is not a requirement in North Carolina that high-risk drivers carry an SR-22. However, out-of-state drivers who are required to have an SR-22 in another state must maintain their SR-22.
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North Dakota
North Dakota mandates that high-risk drivers carry SR-22 insurance for a minimum of one year. It is necessary to maintain SR-22 insurance throughout this period without lapsing or failing to pay premiums, or else the driver could face fines and further license suspension.
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Ohio
In Ohio, drivers deemed to be high risk will need to carry an SR-22 certificate to get back on the road. This could be due to a DUI or DWI, getting into an at-fault accident without insurance, a suspended or revoked license, or a high number of points of a driver’s license.
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma is one of the few states that do not require an SR-22 form to get back on the road. However, Oklahoma does have minimum liability insurance coverage requirements and will impose penalties for major offenses.
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Oregon
The Oregon DMV requires an SR-22 form to get back on the road after a major offense. This certificate guarantees the state that the driver has the minimum coverage, which includes $25,000 for a single person’s injury or death, $50,000 for multiple injuries or deaths, and $20,000 for property damage.
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Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not require SR-22 insurance but does mandate car insurance for all drivers, including those who are owners, leasers, or renters.
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Rhode Island
SR-22 insurance is mandatory in Rhode Island for DUI cases, as it guarantees the state that you have the minimum required coverage to be back on the road. Rhode Island can also require an SR-22 for other serious traffic offenses such as reckless driving or multiple tickets within a short window.
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South Carolina
South Carolina mandates that all drivers required to carry an SR-22 must do so for at least three years. Lapsing in this coverage could result in another license suspension and a reset of the SR-22 filing period, which means the driver must start the process over again.
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South Dakota
SR-22 insurance in South Dakota is required for drivers who have committed a serious traffic offense. This period lasts for at least three years, during which continuous coverage is required to assure the state that a high-risk driver has the minimum required coverage.
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Tennessee
Tennessee did not require drivers to have insurance just two decades ago, but today, things are different. High-risk drivers will be required to carry an SR-22 form after major traffic offenses like a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance.
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Texas
In Texas, an SR-22 form is required to assure the state that a high-risk driver has the minimum required coverage. The state requires drivers to have a minimum of $30,000 of coverage for a single person’s death or injury, $60,000 for total injuries or deaths, and $25,000 for damage of property.
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Utah
An SR-22 is likely to be required for Utah drivers who have recently been convicted of reckless driving, a DWI, or other serious charges. This form notifies the state if the driver lapses on insurance, which can cause the filing period to restart.
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Vermont
Vermont requires an SR-22 form for drivers convicted of serious traffic offenses. These include hit-and-runs, stealing a vehicle, driving without insurance or a license, a DUI, or unsatisfied judgment. The driver’s insurance company will fill out the SR-22 form and submit it to the state on the driver’s behalf.
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Virginia
Virginia’s DMV requires drivers to have a minimum of $25,000 of coverage for a single person’s bodily injury or death, $50,000 for multiple deaths or bodily injuries, and $20,000 for damage of property. Instead of an SR-22 form, Virginia requires an FR-44 form, which is the same thing and will be required for drivers who have committed serious offenses and guarantees the state that the driver has said coverage.
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Washington
Washington requires drivers who have committed serious offenses such as a DUI, reckless driving, or driving with a revoked or suspended license to have an SR-22. This form, filled out by insurance companies, guarantees the state that the driver in mention has the minimum required coverage.
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Washington, D.C.
The District of Columbia requires drivers to have an SR-22 if they have committed any one of a number of violations. These could include driving under the influence, a high number of traffic violations in a short time span, reckless driving, and others.
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West Virginia
West Virginia does not currently require SR-22 insurance, but they do mandate minimum coverage for all drivers.
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Wisconsin
Wisconsin drivers will need to hold their SR-22 for three years if the state requires them to have one for a first-time offense. This period extends to five years for second offenses, and the sentence gets continuously doubled for each subsequent offense. Penalties are generally harsher for DUIs than other offenses.
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Wyoming
In Wyoming, SR-22 insurance is required for drivers who have committed a serious traffic offense. The state requires this form to monitor the driver’s insurance status, which helps them guarantee the driver has the minimum coverage at all times while on the road.
Frequently Asked SR-22 Insurance Questions
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An SR-22 is a document your insurance provider fills out to notify the state that you’ve got the minimum coverage required by law. It is not a type of insurance in itself—rather, think of an SR-22 as an additional form the state requires your insurer to fill out with your policy.
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The first thing to note is that “DUI insurance” or “SR-22 insurance” are both misnomers. The real story is that these are simply high-risk policies that include an SR-22, which an insurance company fills out as proof you have insurance and are financially responsible for any damages caused on the road.
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SR-22 is the exact title of the form, also known as a “Certificate of Financial Responsibility” or an “SR-22 Certificate.” Specifically, the initials stand for “Safety Responsibility.”
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In most cases, the cost of an SR-22 form is about $25, with some states charging additional fees.
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Not every driver is required to get SR-22 coverage. Although each state has its own requirements, typically, SR-22 insurance is required if you’ve been driving without valid car insurance or driver’s license or get a DUI. Check your state laws to find other instances where you might need one.
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After a traffic violation in which the driver’s license is revoked or suspended, the only way to get back on the road quickly is to apply for a restricted license. To have the vehicle covered while operating under a restricted license, the driver must have their insurance company file an SR-22, SR-22A, or FR-44 form with their state’s department.
Find Cheap SR-22 Auto Insurance Quotes
Let SR-22 Adviser Help You Find Cheap SR-22 Insurance
If you’re looking for affordable SR-22 insurance in any state, choose SR-22 Adviser. We are here to help you find cheap, reliable SR-22 insurance that works for your budget and needs. This means you can get back on the road and closer to begin putting this difficult period behind you. Visit our website to get a quote or call us at 877-822-2049 and start the important process of shopping for the best deal available.