How Long Does SR-22 Stay on Your Record?

What Is an SR-22 and How Long Does It Last?

An SR-22 is not insurance—it's a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company files with your state's DMV or Department of Insurance. It proves you carry at least the minimum required liability coverage.

How long SR-22 lasts by state (common durations):

1 year:

• Rare; typically for minor first-time offenses in select states

3 years (most common):

• California, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Arizona, Nevada, and 30+ other states
• Covers most DUI, reckless driving, and suspended license violations

4–5 years:

• Some states for repeat offenses or serious violations
• Washington (3 years), Virginia (3 years), but can extend for multiple violations

The requirement starts on the date the SR-22 is filed, not the date of your violation. If you have a lapse in coverage during the SR-22 period, the clock resets.

Important distinction:

• SR-22 filing period: 1–5 years (state-mandated)
• Underlying violation on driving record: 3–10 years (affects insurance rates)

Even after the SR-22 requirement ends, the DUI or reckless driving conviction remains on your record and continues to raise your insurance premiums for several more years.

SR-22 Duration by State

Common SR-22 filing periods:

| State | SR-22 Duration | |-------|----------------| | California | 3 years | | Florida | 3 years | | Texas | 2 years (most offenses) | | New York | 3 years | | Illinois | 3 years | | Ohio | 3 years | | Arizona | 3 years | | Nevada | 3 years | | Washington | 3 years | | Georgia | 3 years | | Virginia | 3 years | | North Carolina | 3 years | | Tennessee | 3 years | | Michigan | 2 years | | Pennsylvania | 3 years |

Longer periods for repeat offenses:

• Second DUI: 4–5 years in some states
• Multiple violations: Extended periods or permanent SR-22 in extreme cases
• Serious bodily injury: Up to 5 years

Check your court order or DMV notice for your exact requirement. Your state's DMV website will also list standard SR-22 durations by offense type.

When Does the SR-22 Clock Start?

The SR-22 period begins when your insurance company successfully files the SR-22 with the state, not when you're convicted or when your license is suspended.

Timeline example:

• January 1: DUI arrest
• March 15: Conviction, license suspended, SR-22 required
• April 10: You find SR-22 insurance and insurer files SR-22
• April 10: SR-22 clock starts (3-year requirement begins)
• April 10, 2029: SR-22 requirement ends (if no lapses)

Key rule: Any lapse in SR-22 coverage resets the clock. If your policy cancels or you fail to renew, the state is notified and your license is suspended. When you refile, you start the full 3-year period over.

What Happens If You Cancel SR-22 Early?

You cannot legally cancel SR-22 before the mandated period ends.

If you cancel your SR-22 policy or let it lapse:

1. Immediate license suspension:

• Your insurer notifies the state within 24–48 hours
• Your license is suspended automatically (no warning)

2. SR-22 clock resets:

• When you refile, the full 3-year (or longer) period starts over
• Example: If you cancel after 2 years, you don't have 1 year left—you start over at 3 years

3. Additional penalties:

• Fines for driving on a suspended license ($500–$2,000+)
• Vehicle impound
• Extended SR-22 requirement (state may add 1–2 additional years)
• Potential jail time for driving without a license

4. Higher insurance rates:

• A lapse in coverage signals high risk to insurers
• Your premiums increase 20–50% when you refile

Real-world example:

John needs SR-22 for 3 years. After 2.5 years, he cancels his policy to save money. His license is suspended immediately. He's pulled over 2 weeks later and charged with driving on a suspended license (misdemeanor, $1,500 fine). When he refiles SR-22, the state requires a fresh 3-year period. What should have ended in 6 months now takes another 3 years—plus he paid $1,500 in fines and court costs.

Never cancel SR-22 insurance until the state confirms your requirement has ended.

How to Know When Your SR-22 Requirement Ends

Steps to confirm your SR-22 end date:

1. Check your court order or DMV notice:

• The original order states the required duration (usually 3 years)

2. Calculate from filing date:

• Add the required years to the date your insurer filed the SR-22
• Example: Filed April 10, 2026 + 3 years = April 10, 2029

3. Request confirmation from the DMV:

• Call or visit your state DMV 30–60 days before the expected end date
• Ask: "Can you confirm my SR-22 requirement end date?"
• Get written confirmation if possible

4. Contact your insurance company:

• Your insurer receives notification when the state removes the SR-22 requirement
• They can confirm when you're eligible to drop SR-22

5. Wait for official clearance:

• The state may send a notice when your SR-22 period ends
• Some states require no action; the requirement simply expires
• Others require you to request a "clearance letter"

Do not drop SR-22 until you have written confirmation from the state or DMV that the requirement has ended. Dropping it one day early restarts the clock.

Does the Underlying Violation Stay on Your Record After SR-22 Ends?

Yes. The SR-22 filing requirement and the underlying conviction are separate.

SR-22 filing:

• Duration: 1–5 years (state requirement)
• Purpose: Proves you maintain minimum insurance
• Ends: After mandated period with no lapses

Underlying violation (DUI, reckless driving, etc.):

• Duration: 3–10 years on driving record
• Impact: Raises insurance rates
• Insurance rate impact: 3–5 years for minor violations, 5–10 years for DUI

Example timeline:

• Year 0: DUI conviction
• Years 0–3: SR-22 required + DUI on record = Very high rates (+80–200%)
• Years 3–7: SR-22 ends, but DUI still on record = High rates (+40–100%)
• Year 7–10: DUI begins to age off = Rates gradually decrease
• Year 10+: DUI fully aged off = Standard rates (if no new violations)

Dropping SR-22 does not erase the violation. Your insurance rates remain elevated until the conviction ages off your driving record (typically 5–10 years for DUI, 3–5 years for reckless driving).

How to Successfully Complete Your SR-22 Requirement

To avoid resetting the clock:

1. Never let coverage lapse

• Pay premiums on time, every time
• Set up automatic payments to prevent missed payments
• Monitor your policy renewal dates closely

2. Maintain continuous coverage

• If switching insurers, ensure new policy starts before old policy ends
• There must be zero gap—even one day resets the SR-22 clock

3. Keep minimum required coverage

• Don't reduce coverage below state minimums
• If you drop from full coverage to liability-only, ensure it still meets SR-22 requirements

4. Notify your insurer if you move

• Address changes can affect SR-22 filing status
• Update address with both insurer and DMV

5. Avoid new violations

• Any new traffic violation, DUI, or suspension can extend SR-22 requirement
• Some states add 1–3 years for each new offense

6. Track your end date

• Mark it on your calendar
• Request DMV confirmation 60 days before expected end date

7. Don't assume it ends automatically

• Confirm with the state before canceling SR-22 or switching to non-SR-22 insurance

Pro tip: Even after the SR-22 requirement ends, keep your insurance active. A lapse in coverage after SR-22 can still result in higher future rates and potential license issues.

Can You Get SR-22 Removed Early?

In most states, no. The SR-22 requirement is court-ordered or DMV-mandated and cannot be reduced through appeals or good behavior.

Rare exceptions:

1. Hardship waivers:

• Some states allow early termination in cases of severe financial hardship
• Requires proof of inability to afford SR-22 insurance
• Very rarely granted

2. Legal errors:

• If the SR-22 was issued in error (wrong person, overturned conviction)
• Requires legal action and court documentation

3. Reinstatement programs:

• A few states offer early reinstatement after completing DUI education, community service, or rehabilitation
• May reduce SR-22 period by 6–12 months
• Not available in most states

4. Out-of-state moves:

• If you move to a state that doesn't require SR-22, the requirement may not transfer
• However, your driving record follows you, so the underlying violation still affects insurance rates
• Consult an attorney before relocating

Bottom line: Assume you'll serve the full SR-22 period. Plan financially and avoid any lapses.

Frequently Asked Questions