What States Require SR-22 Insurance?

Which States Require SR-22 Insurance?

49 states require SR-22 or an equivalent financial responsibility certificate.

States that use standard SR-22:

• Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Total: 47 states use SR-22

States that use FR-44 instead of SR-22 for DUI:

• Florida: FR-44 required for DUI offenses (higher liability limits than SR-22)
• Virginia: FR-44 required for DUI offenses (higher liability limits than SR-22)

State that does NOT require SR-22 or equivalent:

• New Hampshire: No SR-22 or financial responsibility certificate required
• New Hampshire has no mandatory car insurance requirement (though drivers must still be financially responsible for accidents)

Important note: Even though New Hampshire doesn't require SR-22, if you're required to file SR-22 in another state and move to New Hampshire, you may still need to maintain the filing to satisfy the original state's requirements.

What Is the Difference Between SR-22, FR-44, and SR-50?

States use different forms with varying requirements:

SR-22 (47 states):

• Purpose: Proves you carry minimum state liability insurance
• Required coverage: State minimum liability limits
• Common triggers: DUI, reckless driving, suspended license, uninsured accidents, multiple violations
• Duration: 1–5 years (typically 3 years)

FR-44 (Florida and Virginia for DUI):

• Purpose: Stricter financial responsibility certificate for DUI offenses
• Required coverage: Double the state's minimum liability limits
• Florida FR-44 minimums: 100/300/50 ($100k bodily injury per person, $300k per accident, $50k property damage) vs. standard Florida minimums of 10/20/10
• Virginia FR-44 minimums: 50/100/40 vs. standard Virginia minimums of 25/50/20
• Common triggers: DUI, DWI only
• Duration: 3 years (Florida), 3 years (Virginia)
• Cost impact: 20–40% higher premiums than standard SR-22 due to higher coverage requirements

SR-50 (some states, uncommon):

• Purpose: Similar to SR-22, used in a few states as an alternative name
• Functionally identical to SR-22

Key takeaway: If you have a DUI in Florida or Virginia, you need FR-44 (not SR-22), which requires higher liability limits and costs more.

What Violations Require SR-22 by State?

Common violations that trigger SR-22 requirements in most states:

1. DUI / DWI (Driving Under the Influence):

• All 49 SR-22/FR-44 states
• Most common SR-22 trigger
• Duration: 3–5 years

2. Reckless driving:

• Most states
• Excessive speeding (typically 20+ mph over limit), street racing, aggressive driving
• Duration: 3 years

3. Driving on a suspended or revoked license:

• Most states
• Duration: 3 years

4. At-fault accidents without insurance:

• Most states
• Duration: 3 years

5. Multiple at-fault accidents (typically 3+ in 3 years):

• Many states
• Duration: 3 years

6. Multiple traffic violations (typically 3+ in 12–24 months):

• Many states
• Duration: 1–3 years

7. Driving without insurance (uninsured motorist):

• Most states
• Even if no accident occurred
• Duration: 1–3 years

8. Habitual offender designation:

• Some states
• Repeated violations over several years
• Duration: 3–5 years

9. Court-ordered SR-22:

• Any state
• Judge orders SR-22 as condition of probation or sentencing
• Duration: Varies

State-specific variations:

• California: SR-22 required for DUI, suspended license, at-fault accidents without insurance
• Texas: SR-22 required for DUI, driving without insurance, suspended license
• Florida: FR-44 (not SR-22) required for DUI; SR-22 required for other violations
• Virginia: FR-44 for DUI; SR-22 for other violations
• New York: SR-22 required for DUI, multiple violations, uninsured accidents

Check your court order, DMV notice, or state insurance department website for exact requirements.

SR-22 Filing Requirements by State

How SR-22 filing procedures differ by state:

Who files the SR-22:

• Your insurance company files the SR-22 certificate directly with your state's DMV or Department of Insurance
• You do not file it yourself

Filing timeline:

• Most states: Insurer must file within 1–3 business days of policy purchase
• Some states: Electronic filing (instant)
• Older systems: Paper filing (5–10 business days)

Who can file SR-22:

• Not all insurance companies file SR-22 in all states
• Major carriers like GEICO, Progressive, State Farm typically file in most states
• If your carrier doesn't file SR-22 in your state, you must switch insurers

Notification:

• Most states: You receive confirmation from DMV once SR-22 is filed
• Some states: No confirmation; filing is automatic

Duration by state:

• 1 year: Rare (some states for minor violations)
• 2 years: Texas (most offenses), Michigan
• 3 years: California, Florida, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and 30+ others (most common)
• 4–5 years: Some states for repeat offenses

Lapse notification:

• If you cancel or fail to renew SR-22 insurance, your insurer must notify the state within 24–48 hours
• Your license is immediately suspended
• SR-22 clock resets when you refile

Termination:

• Automatic: Some states automatically end SR-22 requirement after the mandated period
• Manual: Other states require you to request clearance from DMV

What If You Move to a Different State?

SR-22 requirements typically follow you when you move.

Scenario 1: Moving from an SR-22 state to another SR-22 state

• Requirement continues: You must maintain SR-22 in your new state
• Steps:
• 1. Notify your insurance company of your move
• 2. Update your address with the DMV in both states
• 3. Insurer files SR-22 in your new state
• 4. Original state's SR-22 may terminate (check with both DMVs)
• Duration: The SR-22 period continues from the original filing date (doesn't reset unless there's a lapse)

Scenario 2: Moving from an SR-22 state to New Hampshire

• New Hampshire does not require SR-22
• However, if your original state's SR-22 requirement is still active, you may need to maintain insurance that meets the original state's requirements until the period ends
• Check with your original state's DMV before canceling SR-22

Scenario 3: Moving from Florida/Virginia (FR-44) to an SR-22 state

• FR-44 converts to SR-22 in your new state
• You may be able to reduce coverage to the new state's minimums (lower than FR-44)
• Potential savings: $300–$800/year by reducing coverage

Scenario 4: Moving from an SR-22 state to Florida/Virginia with a DUI

• If your DUI occurred in the original state and you're still serving the SR-22 requirement, Florida/Virginia may require you to upgrade to FR-44
• Check with the new state's DMV and your insurer

Important: Always confirm with both states' DMVs before making any changes. Dropping SR-22 prematurely can result in license suspension in your original state and extended SR-22 requirements.

Do All States Accept SR-22 From Any Insurer?

No. Insurers must be licensed in your state to file SR-22.

State licensing requirements:

• Your insurance company must be authorized to do business in your state
• Not all carriers operate in all states
• Some carriers specialize in certain states and don't file SR-22 elsewhere

What this means for you:

• If you have SR-22 insurance with GEICO in California and move to a state where GEICO doesn't file SR-22, you must switch carriers
• Always confirm your insurer files SR-22 in your current state before purchasing

Carriers that file SR-22 in most states:

• Progressive (all SR-22 states)
• GEICO (most states)
• The General (most states)
• State Farm (most states)
• Direct Auto (many states)
• Acceptance Insurance (many states)

Carriers that may have limited SR-22 availability:

• Allstate (select states)
• Farmers (select states)
• USAA (select states, members only)

How to verify:

• Call the insurer: "Do you file SR-22 in [your state]?"
• Check your state's Department of Insurance website for licensed SR-22 insurers

State-Specific SR-22 Details (Top 10 States)

California SR-22:

• Duration: 3 years
• Common triggers: DUI, suspended license, at-fault accident without insurance
• Minimum coverage: 15/30/5

Texas SR-22:

• Duration: 2 years (most offenses)
• Common triggers: DUI, driving without insurance, suspended license
• Minimum coverage: 30/60/25

Florida FR-44 (for DUI):

• Duration: 3 years
• Required for: DUI only (other violations use standard SR-22)
• Minimum coverage: 100/300/50 (double the standard minimums)

New York SR-22:

• Duration: 3 years
• Common triggers: DUI, multiple violations, uninsured accidents
• Minimum coverage: 25/50/10
• Note: High-cost state; expect premiums of $4,000–$6,000/year with SR-22

Illinois SR-22:

• Duration: 3 years
• Common triggers: DUI, suspended license, uninsured driving
• Minimum coverage: 25/50/20

Ohio SR-22:

• Duration: 3 years
• Common triggers: DUI, multiple violations, suspended license
• Minimum coverage: 25/50/25

Arizona SR-22:

• Duration: 3 years
• Common triggers: DUI, suspended license, uninsured driving
• Minimum coverage: 25/50/15

Virginia FR-44 (for DUI):

• Duration: 3 years
• Required for: DUI only
• Minimum coverage: 50/100/40

Georgia SR-22:

• Duration: 3 years
• Common triggers: DUI, suspended license, uninsured accidents
• Minimum coverage: 25/50/25

North Carolina SR-22:

• Duration: 3 years
• Common triggers: DUI, suspended license, uninsured driving
• Minimum coverage: 30/60/25
• Note: Lower-cost state; SR-22 premiums average $2,400–$3,500/year

For your state's specific requirements, visit your state DMV website or call the Department of Insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions