SR-22 is easy to misunderstand. Many people hear "you need SR-22" and assume it is a type of insurance policy. It is not. Understanding what it actually is, and what it costs, helps you plan for the financial reality ahead.
What SR-22 Actually Is
SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility. Your auto insurance company files it with your state's motor vehicle agency to confirm that you carry the state's minimum required liability coverage. Think of it as your insurer vouching to the state that you are insured. In Florida and Virginia, the filing required after a DUI is called an FR-44.
Your insurer may charge a fee to file the certificate. That is not where the expense comes from.
The expensive part is what happens to your insurance premium after a DUI conviction. Our state figures for the increase are market estimates, not published rates, and the typical increase is 90% in the median state.
How Long Do You Need SR-22?
Three years is the most common filing period in our data: 38 of the 45 states that use SR-22 filings require it for three years. Alaska is listed at five years for a first offense, and its period is longer after a prior conviction. Ohio's period has been one year since April 9, 2025. Iowa, Missouri, and Texas are listed at two years, and Kansas and North Dakota at one.
When the period starts differs by state. In Georgia, for example, it runs from the conviction. Ask your state's motor vehicle agency which date starts your clock.
If your coverage lapses during the period, meaning your insurer cancels your policy or stops filing the certificate, it can lead to a new suspension and a restarted filing period. Each state sets its own rules, so ask your insurer and your state's motor vehicle agency, and keep your coverage continuous.
States That Do Not Use SR-22
Five states do not use SR-22 filings: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Minnesota. Each handles proof of insurance after a conviction in its own way, so check with your state's motor vehicle agency for what it requires.
If you live in one of these states, there is no separate SR-22 filing, but your insurer can still raise your premium after a conviction. Our Auto Insurance Impact Calculator estimates that increase.
The Real Cost of SR-22
Our increase figures run from 55% to 135% across the states, with 90% in the median state. On an auto insurance policy of $1,600 per year, a 90% increase adds $1,440 per year, or $4,320 over three years. At 135%, the highest figure in our data, the increase is $2,160 per year, or $6,480 over three years.
A repeat offense or an accident can raise the increase further, and our SR-22 calculator applies a larger increase for a second or later offense.
Use our SR-22 Insurance Cost Calculator to get a state-specific estimate based on your current premium and offense number.
How to Get SR-22 After a DUI
Contact your current auto insurer first. If it will not file an SR-22 for you or will not renew your policy, you will need to shop for a new one, including from insurers that write policies for high-risk drivers.
Rates for the same driver can differ from one insurer to the next, so it is worth getting more than one quote.
When comparing quotes, be upfront about the DUI conviction and the SR-22 requirement. Providing accurate information ensures the quote reflects your actual situation.
SR-22 and Vehicle Registration
If you have more than one vehicle, ask your insurer and your state's motor vehicle agency whether the filing must cover every vehicle registered to you, not just the one you drive most often.
If you do not own a vehicle but still need to drive, ask insurers about a non-owner SR-22 policy, which is meant for drivers who need the filing but do not own a car.
When Does SR-22 End?
When your state's filing period ends, you can ask your insurer to remove the SR-22 filing. Your premium may not drop back to its pre-DUI level right away: how long a surcharge stays on your policy is up to your insurer, and it is not part of the filing requirement.
Mark the end of the filing period on your calendar and contact your insurer when it arrives.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. DUI laws and costs vary by state and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed DUI attorney in your state for guidance on your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SR-22 insurance and why do I need it after a DUI?
SR-22 is not a type of insurance. It is a certificate that your auto insurance company files with your state's motor vehicle agency confirming you carry the minimum required liability coverage. Our data shows a filing period after a DUI conviction in 45 states (Florida and Virginia call their filing an FR-44). Your insurer may charge a fee to file it, but the real expense is the premium increase that follows a conviction.
How long do I need SR-22 insurance after a DUI?
It depends on the state. Three years is the most common period in our data, in 38 of the 45 states that use SR-22 filings. Alaska is listed at five years, Iowa, Missouri, and Texas at two, and Kansas, North Dakota, and Ohio at one. When the period starts also differs: in Georgia it runs from the conviction. Keep your coverage continuous for the whole period, because a lapse can lead to a new suspension.
How much does SR-22 insurance cost?
The filing itself is not the expensive part. The cost is the premium increase. Our state figures for that increase are market estimates, not published rates: the typical increase is 90% in the median state, and it runs from 55% to 135% across the states. On a $1,600 annual policy, a 90% increase adds $1,440 a year, or $4,320 over three years. Our SR-22 calculator applies a larger increase for a second or later offense.
Which states do not require SR-22 after a DUI?
Five states do not use SR-22 filings: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Minnesota. If you live in one of these states, there is no SR-22 filing to make, but your insurer can still raise your premium after a conviction.
What happens if my SR-22 insurance lapses?
Each state sets the consequences, and our data does not track them. A lapse can lead to a new license suspension and a restarted filing period, so ask your insurer and your state's motor vehicle agency what happens in your state, and avoid any gap in coverage during the required period.