SR-22 in Illinois

Checked against official Illinois sources · Last reviewed October 5, 2026

Illinois requires an SR-22 after a license revocation (such as for DUI), a Safety Responsibility suspension after an uninsured crash, an unpaid crash judgment suspension, or repeated no-insurance violations. Your insurer's home office files it with the Illinois Secretary of State.

In most cases you keep it for 3 years. By law, the 3 years count from the date the SR-22 is first filed. [1][2][5]

Uses SR-22?: Yes
How long: 3 years [1]
After a DUI: 3 years [2]
Base reinstatement fee: $70 [3]
Minimum liability coverage: 25/50/20 [4]

Does Illinois require an SR-22?

Yes. Illinois requires Financial Responsibility Insurance (SR-22), filed by your insurer's home office with the Secretary of State, after revocations, Safety Responsibility (uninsured crash) suspensions, unsatisfied judgment suspensions, and repeat no-insurance violations. [1]

Form: SR-22 (Financial Responsibility Certificate), issued as an Operator's, Owner's, or Operators-Owners Certificate [1]

How long do you need an SR-22 in Illinois?

3 years; by statute, 3 years from the date proof is first filed [1]

After a DUI

3 years from the date proof is first filed (a DUI conviction is a mandatory revocation, which triggers the 3-year proof requirement) [2]

What does reinstatement cost?

$70 for most suspensions, including Safety Responsibility and unsatisfied judgment suspensions; $500 after a revocation (e.g. DUI); $250 or $500 for DUI summary suspensions; $100 for a no-insurance suspension [3]

We couldn't confirm whether Illinois charges its own fee to file an SR-22. Your insurer may charge one.

What coverage do you need?

$25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per crash, $20,000 property damage [4]

What happens if your SR-22 lapses?

If the SR-22 expires or is cancelled, the insurer must notify the Secretary of State with an SR-26 Cancellation Certificate. Your driving record is then suspended, and the suspension stays until the insurance filing is reinstated. [1]

Don't own a car?

Yes. An Operator's Certificate covers you while driving any vehicle you don't own. [1]

Who has to file one?

Safety Responsibility suspensions after an uninsured crash, unsatisfied judgment suspensions, license revocations (e.g. DUI, reckless homicide, leaving the scene of an injury crash), court supervision for a mandatory insurance violation, and three or more convictions for mandatory insurance violations [1]

Who handles it

Illinois Secretary of State, Safety & Financial Responsibility Section (Springfield) [5]

Common questions

How much does it cost to get my license back after a DUI?

The reinstatement fee after a revocation, such as for a DUI conviction, is $500. A DUI summary suspension costs $250, or $500 for a second or later one. Most other suspensions cost $70, and a no-insurance suspension costs $100. [3]

Is there an alternative to SR-22 insurance?

Yes. Instead of an SR-22, you can deposit $70,000 in cash or securities with the State Treasurer, file a surety bond, or file a court-approved real estate bond. [1]

I don't own a car. What kind of SR-22 do I need?

An Operator's Certificate, which covers you in any vehicle you don't own. An Owner's Certificate covers your own vehicles, and an Operators-Owners Certificate covers both. [1]

What if I move out of Illinois?

You can ask the Secretary of State for a waiver using the Out of State Affidavit. If you move back to Illinois within three years of the waiver, the SR-22 requirement comes back. [1]

What happens if my SR-22 lapses?

Your insurer files an SR-26 cancellation with the Secretary of State, and your driving record is suspended until the filing is reinstated. The Secretary of State suggests renewing at least 45 days early, and says processing a filing can take up to 30 days. [1]

Do I need an SR-22 for a no-insurance ticket?

Not for a first conviction on its own. The Secretary of State requires an SR-22 after three or more no-insurance convictions, or if you get court supervision on a no-insurance charge. A no-insurance conviction also brings a 3-month suspension. [1][6]

Sources

Illinois Secretary of State - Financial Responsibility (SR-22) Insurance (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
625 ILCS 5/7-305 Suspension until proof furnished (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
625 ILCS 5/6-118 Fees (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
625 ILCS 5/7-317 Motor vehicle liability policy defined (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
Illinois Secretary of State - Safety and Financial Responsibility Law (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
625 ILCS 5/3-707 Operation of uninsured motor vehicle - penalty (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)