SR 22 Requirements

About SR 22 Requirements

SR 22 auto insurance is an insurance policy rider that car insurance companies use to guarantee that you will keep your insurance policy active for a specified period of time. In other words, the SR22 form serves as proof of car insurance.

If you keep a clean driving record you will probably not be asked to submit a SR 22 form to your state DMV office. An exception to this is if there is a lapse in your insurance coverage that exceeds 30 days.

For example, Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation (DOT) will suspend your driver’s license for three months if your insurance policy is inactive for 31 or more days. Penalties for the lapse include having your motor vehicle license plate, registration card, and sticker revoked.

Your driver’s license and motor vehicle registration will not be reactivated until you show the DMV proof that you have insurance. You might also be required to show proof that the amount of coverage you have meets state liability insurance requirements. Mandatory state auto insurance levels are generally posted on state DMV websites.

Traffic Penalties That Require SR 22 Forms

Traffic penalties (e.g. excessive traffic tickets for speeding) can cause your state DMV to require you to submit a SR 22 form. Generally, you will not be allowed to operate your motor vehicle until you submit a SR 22 form to your state DMV office.

If you are ordered to appear in court to address a traffic violation, the judge might also order you to file a SR 22 with the DMV. Reasons that you could be ordered to submit a SR 22 form to your state DMV include:

• You are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI).

• You received a license suspension.

• Excessive points are recorded on your driver's license (due to traffic accidents, etc.).

• You were convicted of driving without car liability insurance.

As previously discussed, you could also be ordered to submit a SR 22 form to your DMV office if the insurance on your motor vehicle lapses by more than 30 days. For this reason it is important that you renew your car insurance policy in advance of the expiration date.

How to Obtain Proof of Car Insurance

Contact your insurance agent immediately after the state or court orders you to file a SR 22. Ask your auto insurance agent to send you a copy of your SR 22. Details provided on the form include:

• Your first and last names.

• Street address.

• Driver’s license number.

• Date of birth.

• Social Security number.

• Auto insurance policy number.

• Make, model, and year of your car or truck.

• Start and end dates of your insurance coverage.

The name of insurance company that your vehicle is covered through is generally printed at the bottom of the SR 22 form. An authorized representative from the car insurance company must sign and date the form.