Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22)

September 16, 2020

What is a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22)

A Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) is required by the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 601 to verify that you are maintaining motor vehicle liability insurance. A SR-22 can be issued by most insurance providers and certifies that you have the minimum liability insurance as required by law. An insurance provider will automatically notify the Department when a SR-22 is cancelled, terminated or lapses.

Minimum Liability Amounts

The minimum liability coverage amounts required by law are:

  • $30,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in one crash,
  • $60,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in one crash, and
  • $25,000 for damage to or destruction of property of others in one crash.

For more information on minimum liability insurance laws, please visit the Texas Department of Insurance.

Financial Responsibility, Conviction or Judgment

If your driving privilege has been suspended due to a car crash, you have received a second or subsequent conviction for No Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance* or a civil judgment has been filed against you, you are required to file a SR-22 with the Department. You are required to maintain coverage for two years beginning from the date of the conviction that requires a SR-22, or in the case of a judgment against you due to a crash, two years from the date the judgment was rendered. A SR-22 is also required when a security deposit is being placed with the Department as compliance for a crash or crash default suspension.

An insurance card or policy will not be accepted in place of a SR-22.

Authorized Insurance Providers

You should contact your local insurance agent or provider to obtain a SR-22. If you do not own a vehicle, you should ask an insurance provider about a Texas Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance policy.

Cancelled, Terminated or Lapsed SR-22

Your driving privilege and vehicle registration may be suspended if:

  1. You are required to file and maintain a valid SR-22 and you do not have one on file with the Department, or
  2. The Department receives notification that the SR-22 on file has been cancelled, terminated or lapsed, and a new SR-22 has not been filed prior to the cancellation of the original policy.

Driver License Reinstatement Requirements

To reinstate your driver license you must:

  1. Submit a valid SR-22 to the Department, and
  2. Pay the required $100 Reinstatement fee prior to the renewal or issuance of your driver license, in addition to paying any other outstanding fees owed.

*If you are convicted of a second or subsequent violation for No Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance but had insurance on the vehicle at the time of the offense, you may submit your proof of insurance and the SR-22 requirement will be waived.

For information on submitting compliance and fees to the Department, visit the Reinstating your Driver License or Driving Privilege webpage.

Driver Eligibility Status

To check the status of your driver license or to determine if you are eligible for reinstatement, visit the License Eligibility webpage.  This page will provide you with information on what you will need to reinstate your driver license or driving privilege, including any fees you may owe.  Once all compliance items have been processed and your suspension period has ended, your driver eligibility status will be updated to reflect "eligible".

For more information on SR-22 (Proof of Financial Responsibility), please visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage or download the Driver License Enforcement Actions chart for a complete list of driver license suspensions and revocations.