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If the California DMV or a court told you to file an SR-22, you need three things: a clear definition of what it is, the steps to get it filed, and how long you must keep it. This guide covers those points using California DMV sources, so you know what to expect before you contact an insurance company.
What Is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is not an insurance policy. The DMV calls it a California Insurance Proof Certificate: a form issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in California that tells the DMV you carry the liability coverage the state requires. It is attached to a regular auto policy (or, if you do not own a car, to a policy written for that situation).
Because the insurer issues the certificate, you do not fill it out or file it yourself. The insurer sends it to the DMV once you buy a qualifying policy and ask for the filing.
Who Needs an SR-22 in California?
Only the DMV or a court can require an SR-22, and your notice will say so. The DMV materials we reviewed show it in these situations:
- DUI. After a DUI arrest or conviction, DMV guidance for reinstating a license, or applying for a restricted license, lists proof of insurance (SR 22) among the requirements.
- A collision without insurance. If you are in a collision and cannot show insurance, your driving privilege can be suspended, and you can get your license back by filing an SR 22 or SR 1P certificate and maintaining it.
- Other financial responsibility actions. The DMV can require proof of insurance on file after certain suspensions. Read the notice you received for the exact requirement.
If you are unsure whether you need one, check your DMV or court paperwork, or ask the DMV directly. This website cannot tell you what your case requires.
California Minimum Liability Limits
The policy behind your SR-22 must meet California’s minimum liability limits. According to the DMV’s insurance requirements page, the minimums are:
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury or death, one person | $30,000 |
| Bodily injury or death, more than one person | $60,000 |
| Property damage | $15,000 |
This is often written as 30/60/15. These limits took effect on January 1, 2025 under Senate Bill 1107; before that, the minimums were 15/30/5. Liability coverage pays for injuries and damage you cause to others. It does not pay for your own car or your own injuries.
How to Get an SR-22 Filed
- Read your DMV or court notice. Note what it requires and any deadline.
- Contact an insurance company authorized in California. Companies differ on whether they file SR-22s and whom they will cover after a violation, so you may need to ask more than one. Tell them you need an SR-22 filing.
- Buy a policy that meets the minimums. Ask whether the company charges a filing fee, since amounts differ by company.
- Ask the insurer to file the certificate with the DMV. Keep a copy of your confirmation.
- Confirm with the DMV. Make sure the filing is on your record before you assume your license can be reinstated, since the SR-22 is usually only one of the reinstatement requirements.
For more detail, see our guide to how the SR-22 filing process works in California. If you do not own a vehicle, read about non-owner SR-22 insurance.
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How Long Do You Need an SR-22?
The period depends on why the DMV required it, and your notice states the requirement. In the DMV guidance we reviewed, DUI reinstatement requires you to maintain the SR 22 for three years. After a financial responsibility suspension, the DMV says proof of insurance must be filed and maintained for three years after the suspension ends.
The clock only counts while coverage stays in force, so keep the policy active for the full period. Before asking your insurer to remove the filing, confirm with the DMV that the requirement is complete. More in how long SR-22 is required in California.
What Happens If Your Coverage Is Cancelled or Lapses?
According to the DMV, if your insurance is cancelled before the proof-filing requirement ends, your driving privilege can be suspended until a new insurance certificate is filed and approved. To avoid a gap, start the new policy and have its SR-22 filed before you cancel the old one. If you receive a cancellation notice, see our explanation of what an SR-26 is and our guide to what happens if SR-22 insurance lapses.
What Affects the Cost?
No one can quote you an exact price without your details, and this website does not set or guarantee prices. The factors that usually matter are the violation behind the requirement, your driving record, your age, where you live, the vehicle, the coverage you choose, and the insurer. Rates vary between companies, so comparing several quotes is reasonable. Ask each company what it charges for the filing itself and for the policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an SR-22 the same as car insurance?
No. It is a certificate your insurer files to prove you carry the required liability coverage. You still need the underlying policy.
Can I file the SR-22 myself?
No. The certificate comes from an insurance company authorized in California, which submits it to the DMV.
Does an SR-22 follow me if I change insurers?
The requirement stays with you. If you switch companies, the new insurer must file a new certificate, so avoid cancelling the old policy until the new filing is in place.
Will an SR-22 get my license back by itself?
Not necessarily. The DMV may also require completing a DUI program, serving a suspension, or paying fees. See how to reinstate your license after an SR-22 suspension.
Related Guides
- DUI and SR-22 in California
- Violations that require an SR-22 in California
- Non-owner SR-22 insurance
- SR-26: what it is
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This website provides general information, not legal or insurance advice. It is not an insurer, agency or broker, and information may change, so check requirements with the California DMV. See our disclosure.