How to Fill Out and File an SR-22

Filling out and filing an SR-22 form helps drivers who have had a DUI, points, or driven while uninsured regain their license or apply for a new one.
Written by Cheryl Knight
Edited by R.E. Fulton
background
An insurance agent can file your SR-22 certificate on your behalf, but you’ll need to provide all the information, including your policy number and case number. 

How to fill out an SR-22

Your car insurance company can help you fill out an SR-22 or do it for you. You’ll need to provide the following information:
  • Your full name
  • Your mailing address
  • Car insurance policy number
  • Case number
  • Driver's license number
  • Birth date
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • The vehicle make, model, year, and
    Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • The state you are filing in
  • Name of your car insurance company
  • The car insurance company's NAIC number
If you're using the same car insurance provider you had before the incident that caused you to get the SR-22, that provider likely already has all of this information. So check with the company to see if they can file the SR-22 for you. 
Most states in the U.S. have SR-22 requirements, except for the following:
  • Delaware
  • Kentucky
  • Minnesota
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania

How to file an SR-22

To get an SR-22, you need to first call your car insurance company and inform them you need an SR-22 certificate. Your insurance company then mails both you and the department of state in your area a completed SR-22 form, unless you fill out the form yourself.
The fees: Expect to spend at least $25 on SR-22 filing fees, on average. Many auto insurance companies also require SR-22 holders to pay for the whole term of the auto insurance policy, either six months or one year, upon issuing it. 
Once you acquire an SR-22, expect to have it at least for three years before you don't need it anymore.
Why it’s helpful: Even if you have a
DUI conviction
, are caught driving without insurance, or have an at-fault accident with serious injuries on your record, you can still qualify for insurance coverage by using an SR-22 form. 
While this often results in higher insurance costs, an SR-22 policy allows you to regain your license or apply for a new one and continue on with your life.
For drivers with license suspensions who don’t have a vehicle of their own, a non-owner policy with
bodily injury
and
property damage liability
coverage is a simple way to get cheap SR-22 insurance and satisfy the requirements for reinstatement. 

An SR-22 will make your rates go up

Getting an SR-22 will almost certainly make your car insurance rates go up due to your status as a high-risk driver. Your car insurance company might even drop your policy if they do not insure high-risk drivers. In this case, you’d need to find insurance with a company that does.

The purpose of an SR-22: proof of financial responsibility

An
SR-22
is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves that you’ve met
your state's minimum car insurance requirements
, including
liability insurance
and
uninsured motorist coverage
(if applicable). You might need one if: 
  • You’ve been convicted of a DUI or DWI
  • You have a lot of
    violation points
    on your driving record
  • You’ve lost your driving privileges due to a serious traffic offense, such as reckless driving
When working to regain the use of a license, the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) informs drivers if they need to file an SR-22.
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FAQs

Generally, no, you will not be able to drive for Uber with an SR-22. This is because Uber does not allow drivers with poor driving records to work for them. 
Uber does not accept drivers with a major driver violation (such as a DUI), and they don't accept drivers with more than three minor violations.
While it's unlikely you'll be allowed to drive for Uber with an SR-22, you may still qualify if it's been several years since you had your major driving infraction and you've demonstrated good driving.
The length of time that you have to carry required SR-22 insurance depends on your state's requirements and the specific infraction. Usually, SR-22s are required for three years after a major moving violation. 
Make sure to avoid any
insurance policy lapses
while you file for SR-22 insurance.
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