SR-22 insurance in Texas, explained
The short version
- An SR-22 is a certificate, not a policy. Your insurer files it with Texas DPS to prove you carry the required liability coverage.
- You need it for 2 years after certain events, such as a second conviction for driving uninsured.
- If it lapses, your insurer tells DPS and your license and registration can be suspended again.
- No car? A non-owner policy can carry the SR-22.
What an SR-22 is
An SR-22 is a form your insurance company files with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) certifying that you have at least the state minimum liability coverage, 30/60/25. It is proof of insurance for people DPS is watching more closely. Your insurance card is not a substitute (Texas DPS).
Who needs one in Texas
Texas DPS requires an SR-22 after:
- a driver license suspension resulting from a crash,
- a second or later conviction for driving without insurance (Transportation Code 601.231),
- a court judgment against you from a crash, or
- posting a security deposit for a crash suspension.
If you were actually insured on the date of a second no-insurance conviction, showing proof to DPS may remove the SR-22 requirement.
How long it lasts
Two years. For a conviction, DPS counts from the conviction date; for a crash judgment, from the date of the judgment. Filing late does not restart the clock: you owe only the time remaining, but a new conviction can extend it (DPS SR-22 FAQ). Keep the policy active the whole time.
If your SR-22 lapses
If your policy ends or is canceled, your insurer must notify DPS, and the coverage cannot end until the sixth day after DPS receives that notice (Transportation Code 601.085). Your driver license and vehicle registration can then be suspended until a new SR-22 is on file and the reinstatement fee is paid. The fee set by law is $100 (Transportation Code 601.376); DPS adds a convenience charge for paying online. Driving your own vehicle without a required SR-22 is a separate offense: a fine of up to $500, up to 6 months in jail, or both (Transportation Code 601.195).
No car? Non-owner SR-22
If you do not own a vehicle but need to keep your license, DPS accepts an SR-22 filed with a non-owner policy, which covers you when you drive a car you do not own (Transportation Code 601.083).
How to get an SR-22
- Ask an insurance company or licensed agent for a policy with an SR-22 filing. Not every insurer offers one.
- The insurer files the SR-22 with Texas DPS for you. Any filing fee is set by the insurer.
- If your license was suspended, pay the DPS reinstatement fee and confirm your license status with DPS.
- Keep the policy active for the full 2 years.
Before buying, you can check that any agent is licensed in Texas with the TDI agent lookup.
Common questions
How long do you need an SR-22 in Texas?
Two years, counted from the date of the conviction or court judgment that triggered it.
Is an SR-22 a type of insurance?
No. It is a certificate your insurer files with Texas DPS to prove you carry the required liability coverage.
Can I get an SR-22 if I do not own a car?
Yes. DPS accepts an SR-22 filed with a non-owner policy.
What happens if my SR-22 lapses in Texas?
Your insurer notifies DPS, and your license and registration can be suspended until you file a new SR-22 and pay the $100 reinstatement fee.
Compare prices without the phone calls
Quiet Quotes is launching in Texas. Leave your email and ZIP: we confirm your address once, then tell you when quotes are live.