Blog · Auto & SR-22
SR-22 in Texas: filing with DPS and what changes on your policy
Short answer: in Texas, an SR-22 is a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate your insurer files with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). It proves you carry at least $30,000 / $60,000 / $25,000 in liability. DPS requires you to keep it for two years from the conviction or judgment that triggered it. If it lapses, your license is suspended again and you'll need a new SR-22 and another $100 reinstatement fee.
An SR-22 in Texas sounds complicated, but the moving parts are few: the right policy, the right filing, and no gaps for two years. Here's what DPS actually requires, and what changes on your auto policy once the filing is attached.
What is an SR-22 in Texas?
DPS describes the SR-22 as a certificate required by Texas Transportation Code Chapter 601 to verify that you are maintaining motor vehicle liability insurance. It isn't a separate kind of insurance. It's a form your insurance company attaches to your auto policy and files with DPS for you.
Not every carrier offers SR-22 filings, and some won't write a driver who needs one. As an independent agency, we compare carriers that do, including Mercury, GEICO, Kemper, National General, Aspire and Bristol West.
Who needs an SR-22 in Texas?
According to DPS, you'll need to file an SR-22 if:
- Your driving privilege was suspended because of a crash
- You were convicted a second or subsequent time for no motor vehicle liability insurance
- A civil judgment was filed against you
- You're placing a security deposit with DPS for a crash or crash default suspension
DPS also requires an SR-22 after a DWI conviction, and as part of applying for an occupational license (the restricted license that lets you drive for work or essential needs during a suspension). See DPS: Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22).
How does filing with DPS work?
- You buy an auto policy that meets Texas minimum liability limits, from a carrier that files SR-22s.
- Your insurer files the SR-22 with DPS. You don't submit it yourself. Carriers usually charge a filing fee.
- You pay the $100 reinstatement fee to DPS, plus any other fees you owe, before your license is renewed or issued.
- You check your status on DPS's License Eligibility page, which lists what you still need to reinstate.
Ask us to file the SR-22 the same day you bind the policy. The sooner it posts with DPS, the sooner you can reinstate.
How long do you need an SR-22 in Texas?
DPS says you must maintain a valid SR-22 for two years from the date of your most recent conviction, or two years from the date a judgment was rendered against you after a crash. For a DWI, it's two years from the date of conviction.
Note that the clock runs from the conviction or judgment date, not from the day you bought the policy. If you're unsure when yours ends, check with DPS before you drop the filing.
What are the minimum liability limits in Texas?
| Coverage | Texas minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury or death, one person, one crash | $30,000 |
| Bodily injury or death, two or more people, one crash | $60,000 |
| Damage to others' property, one crash | $25,000 |
That's the floor your SR-22 policy has to meet. After a crash suspension or a judgment, you already know what an underinsured accident can cost, so we'll show you higher limits next to the minimum and let you choose.
What changes on your policy once an SR-22 is attached?
Your coverage works the same way. What changes is how the policy is handled:
- DPS is watching. DPS says your insurer will automatically notify it if the SR-22 is canceled, terminated or lapses. That notice is commonly called an SR-26.
- Carrier choice narrows. Only carriers that file SR-22s can write the policy, and some add surcharges for the violation behind it.
- Price reflects your record. The filing fee is small. The bigger cost is the rating for the DWI, crash or insurance conviction.
- Switching carriers takes care. The new SR-22 needs to be filed before the old policy ends, or DPS sees a gap.
- Payments matter more. A missed payment that cancels your policy also cancels your proof with DPS.
What happens if my Texas SR-22 lapses?
DPS is direct about this: if you let SR-22 coverage lapse, your driver license or driving privilege is re-suspended, and you'll need a new SR-22 and another $100 reinstatement fee. See the DPS SR-22 FAQ.
- Put your policy on automatic payments
- Keep your mailing address current with your insurer and DPS
- Call your agent as soon as you get any cancellation notice
- Don't cancel until DPS confirms your two-year period is complete
Can I get an SR-22 in Texas if I don't own a car?
Yes. DPS notes that if you don't own a vehicle, you can get a Texas non-owner SR-22 policy. It covers your liability when you drive a vehicle you don't own and gives DPS the proof it needs to reinstate your license. It won't cover a car you own or one that's regularly available to you, so tell us how you drive and we'll match the policy to it.
How do I reinstate my Texas license with an SR-22?
DPS lists the core steps for SR-22 reinstatement as submitting a valid SR-22 and paying the $100 reinstatement fee, along with any other outstanding fees. Other requirements can apply depending on why you were suspended, such as a DWI. The DPS License Eligibility page shows exactly what's still open on your record.
What should I have ready before I call?
- Your Texas driver's license number
- Your DPS notice or court paperwork that mentions the SR-22
- Date of the conviction or judgment
- Vehicle VIN, or tell us you need a non-owner policy
- Garaging address and any prior insurance information
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need an SR-22 in Texas?
DPS requires you to maintain a valid SR-22 for two years from the date of your most recent conviction, or two years from the date a judgment was rendered against you after a crash.
Who files the SR-22 with Texas DPS?
Your insurance company files it. You buy an auto policy from a carrier that offers SR-22 filings, and the carrier sends the certificate to DPS for you.
What happens if my SR-22 lapses in Texas?
Your insurer notifies DPS, your license is re-suspended, and you need a new SR-22 plus another $100 reinstatement fee to get it back.
Do I need an SR-22 after a DWI in Texas?
Yes. DPS requires an SR-22 after a DWI conviction, maintained for two years from the date of conviction.
Can I get a Texas SR-22 without owning a car?
Yes. A Texas non-owner SR-22 policy covers your liability when you drive a car you don't own and satisfies the DPS filing requirement.