What SR-22 Insurance Is and Why Texas Requires It
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that Texas requires from drivers who have been convicted of certain traffic violations, usually involving alcohol or drugs, or who have accumulated too many points on their driving record. It is not a type of insurance — it is a form your insurance company files with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to prove you carry the minimum liability coverage the state demands.
When you are ordered to carry an SR-22, your insurance company must file the form on your behalf. If your policy lapses or you cancel it, the insurance company is required to notify the DPS when ready. A lapse in coverage while an SR-22 is active can result in license suspension, even if you were not driving.
Texas requires an SR-22 most commonly after a DWI conviction, a reckless driving conviction, driving with a suspended or revoked license, or accumulating too many traffic violations in a short period. The specific trigger depends on the violation and your driving history.
Key Takeaways
- An SR-22 is a form your insurance company files with Texas DPS to prove you have liability coverage; it is not a separate insurance product.
- You must maintain continuous coverage for the full period the court or DPS requires, usually three years, or your license will be suspended again.
- SR-22 insurance costs more than standard policies because insurers view you as higher risk, but rates vary widely by company and your specific violation.
- You can only remove the SR-22 requirement by waiting out the required period and then requesting the DPS remove it from your record.
- Some insurance companies refuse to insure drivers with an SR-22 requirement, so you may need to contact multiple insurers or use a specialist provider.
How Long You Must Carry an SR-22 in Texas
The length of time you must maintain an SR-22 depends on the violation that triggered it. For a first DWI conviction in Texas, the requirement is typically three years from the date of conviction. For a second DWI within ten years, it is also three years. For a third or subsequent DWI, the requirement may extend to five years or longer.
If your SR-22 was ordered because of reckless driving or accumulation of points, the period is usually three years. If you were driving with a suspended or revoked license, the requirement lasts until your license is reinstated, plus an additional period set by the DPS.
You cannot shorten this period by paying a fee or taking a course. The only way to remove the SR-22 requirement is to maintain continuous coverage for the full term and then request the DPS remove it from your record. After the required period ends, contact your insurance company or the DPS directly to confirm the form has been withdrawn.
What SR-22 Insurance Costs and Why Rates Are Higher
There is no single price for SR-22 insurance in Texas because rates depend on your age, driving history, the specific violation that triggered the requirement, the type of vehicle you drive, and the insurance company you choose. Some insurers charge a flat fee to file the SR-22 form itself, usually between $15 and $25, in addition to higher premiums on your policy.
Insurance companies charge more for drivers with an SR-22 because the requirement signals that you have already been convicted of a serious traffic violation. Drivers with DWI convictions typically see the largest rate increases. A driver who previously paid $100 per month for liability coverage might pay $200 to $300 per month or more after an SR-22 is required, though this varies significantly.
Some companies specialize in high-risk drivers and may offer lower rates than mainstream insurers, but you will still pay more than you would without the SR-22 requirement. Shopping among multiple insurers is the most effective way to find the lowest available rate for your situation.
Finding an Insurance Company That Will Insure You
Not all insurance companies in Texas will insure a driver with an SR-22 requirement. Large national carriers sometimes decline these policies or charge rates so high that they are impractical. Your best options are usually regional carriers, specialty high-risk insurers, or companies that explicitly market to drivers with violations on their record.
Before you contact an insurer, gather the details of your violation: the date of conviction, the specific charge, and any court documents related to the sentence. When you call, be direct about your situation. Ask whether the company insures drivers with your type of violation and whether they file SR-22 forms. If they say no, move to the next company rather than spending time on a lengthy quote.
Texas FAIR Plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) is a last-resort option if you cannot find coverage through the standard market. It is a state-run pool that insurers must participate in, and it will provide liability coverage to drivers who have been rejected by at least one standard insurer. Coverage through FAIR Plan is more expensive than specialty high-risk insurers, but it guarantees you can obtain the coverage you need to satisfy the SR-22 requirement.
The SR-22 Filing Process and What Happens Next
Once you have purchased an insurance policy from a company willing to insure you, the insurer will file the SR-22 form with the Texas DPS on your behalf. You do not file it yourself. The filing usually takes one to three business days, though some companies can file electronically the same day you purchase the policy.
After the SR-22 is filed, the DPS will update your driving record. If your license was suspended, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100 in Texas) and may need to pass a written or driving test, depending on the reason your license was suspended. The SR-22 filing alone does not reinstate your license — it only proves you have the required insurance.
Once your license is reinstated, you must maintain your insurance policy without any lapse for the entire required period. If you miss a payment and your policy cancels, notify your insurance company when ready and ask them to reinstate it as quickly as possible. Even a one-day lapse can trigger a notice to the DPS and result in license suspension again.
What Happens If Your Coverage Lapses
If your insurance policy lapses or is cancelled while an SR-22 is active, your insurance company is legally required to notify the Texas DPS within a set timeframe, usually ten days. The DPS will then suspend your license again, even if you were not driving at the time of the lapse.
If this happens, you must purchase a new policy with SR-22 coverage, have the new company file the form, pay the DPS reinstatement fee again, and potentially retake a driving test. This process can take several weeks and costs money each time it occurs. To avoid a lapse, set up automatic payments on your insurance policy and mark renewal dates on your calendar.
If you need to switch insurance companies during the SR-22 period, coordinate the transfer carefully. Contact your new insurer before your current policy ends and confirm they will file the SR-22 form on the same day your old policy expires. Do not cancel your old policy until the new one is in force and the SR-22 has been filed with the new company.
Removing the SR-22 Requirement From Your Record
After you have maintained continuous coverage for the full required period — usually three years — you can request that the SR-22 be removed from your record. You do not have to wait for the DPS to remove it automatically; you can initiate the process yourself.
Contact the Texas DPS and provide your driver's license number and the date your SR-22 requirement should end. The DPS will verify that the required period has passed and that your insurance company has not reported any lapses. Once confirmed, the DPS will remove the SR-22 requirement from your record.
After the SR-22 is removed, you can switch to a standard insurance policy with lower rates. Your insurance company is not required to lower your rates automatically, so contact them or shop for new coverage. Some insurers will reduce your premium once the SR-22 is gone; others may require you to switch companies to get a better rate. Your driving record will still show the original violation, but the SR-22 requirement itself will no longer be active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an SR-22 if I do not own a car?
Yes. You can purchase a non-owner SR-22 policy, which covers you when you drive a car you do not own. This is less expensive than a standard policy and is designed for people who drive occasionally or borrow vehicles. The SR-22 requirement applies to you as a driver, not to a specific vehicle.
Does an SR-22 stay on my record forever?
No. The SR-22 requirement lasts only for the period set by the court or DPS, usually three years. After that period ends and you request removal, it is taken off your record. Your underlying conviction will remain on your driving record, but the SR-22 requirement itself is temporary.
What if I move out of Texas while I have an active SR-22?
You must maintain SR-22 coverage in Texas for the full required period, even if you move. Contact your insurance company and the Texas DPS to understand how your move affects your requirement. Some states have reciprocal agreements with Texas, but you cannot straightforward drop the requirement by relocating.
Can I get my license back before the SR-22 period ends?
Your license can be reinstated once the SR-22 is filed and you pay the reinstatement fee, but the SR-22 requirement itself continues for the full period set by the court. Reinstating your license and satisfying the SR-22 requirement are two separate processes.
Will my insurance rates drop after the SR-22 is removed?
Not automatically. Your rates may stay the same or drop slightly, depending on your insurance company and your overall driving record. The original violation will still be on your record for several years, so rates may not return to pre-violation levels when ready. Shopping for new coverage after the SR-22 is removed often yields better rates than staying with your current insurer.