SR-22 in Michigan

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

Michigan law requires an insurer-filed certificate of insurance in narrow cases, mainly when your license is suspended because you didn't pay a court judgment from a crash. The Secretary of State calls it financial-responsibility insurance, and insurers often call it an SR-22.

You keep it for 3 years from the date it was first required. After that the Secretary of State cancels it when you ask, unless a conviction requiring a suspension or revocation was recorded in the 3 years before your request. If your case involves an unpaid judgment, you must keep it until the judgment is paid in full. [1][2]

Uses SR-22?: Yes (insurer certificate)
How long: 3 years [2]
After a DUI: Not confirmed
Base reinstatement fee: $125 [3]
Minimum liability coverage: 50/100/10 [4]

Does Michigan require an SR-22?

Yes, but only in narrow cases. Michigan requires an insurer-filed certificate of insurance as "proof of financial responsibility for the future" mainly when your license is suspended for an unpaid crash judgment. The Secretary of State does not call it an SR-22. [2]

Form: A written certificate of insurance from your insurer proving financial responsibility, which Michigan calls "financial-responsibility insurance". Insurers and insurance sites call it an SR-22. [1]

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

3 years from the date the proof was first required, as long as the Secretary of State has received no suspension-level conviction in the 3 years before you ask to cancel it. For an unpaid-judgment suspension you must keep it until the judgment is paid in full. [2]

After a DUI

We haven't confirmed this from an official Michigan source yet. Check with Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State), Driver Record Activity Unit, 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918-0001; phone 517-636-6406.

What does reinstatement cost?

$125 license reinstatement fee for most suspensions, revocations, and restrictions (including OWI under MCL 257.625), paid to the Secretary of State. Some suspensions under MCL 257.321c cost $85 instead. [3]

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

What coverage do you need?

Default limits are $250,000 per person and $500,000 per crash for bodily injury, plus $10,000 property damage. You can sign a form choosing lower limits, but not below $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage. Personal injury protection (no-fault) coverage is required as well. [4]

What happens if your SR-22 lapses?

Your insurer can't cancel a certified policy until at least 10 days after it files a cancellation notice with the Secretary of State. If your proof no longer meets the requirement, the Secretary of State suspends your license and registration until you file new proof. [2]

Don't own a car?

Yes. Michigan accepts an operator's policy, which covers you in vehicles not registered to you, as well as an owner's policy. You can carry either or both. [1]

Who has to file one?

The main trigger is a financial-responsibility judgment. If you were uninsured, caused a crash, and can't pay the court judgment, your license is suspended. To drive again before the judgment is paid, you file proof of financial-responsibility insurance plus a partial-payment agreement or a court order for installment payments. [1]

Who handles it

Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State), Driver Record Activity Unit, 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918-0001; phone 517-636-6406 [1]

Common questions

How can I drive again before my crash judgment is paid?

File proof of financial-responsibility insurance along with a partial-payment agreement or a court order to pay in installments. If you miss an installment, your license is suspended again until the judgment is paid. The Secretary of State can't restore your license more than twice in 2 years after missed payments. [1][2]

How long does the filing take, and can I show my insurance application?

Your insurer's home office sends the certificate to the state, which can take 2 to 4 weeks. The Secretary of State does not accept an insurance application in its place. [1]

I don't own a car. Can I still meet the requirement?

Yes. Michigan accepts an operator's policy, which covers you in vehicles not registered to you, as well as an owner's policy. With a restricted license you can drive only the vehicles listed on it, and a newly bought vehicle needs its own certificate before you drive it. [1]

What happens if my policy is cancelled?

Your insurer can't cancel a certified policy until at least 10 days after it files a cancellation notice with the Secretary of State. If your proof no longer meets the requirement, your license and registration are suspended until you file new proof. [2]

Is there an alternative to an insurance certificate?

Yes. Michigan law also accepts a bond, or a deposit of money or securities with the State Treasurer, as proof of financial responsibility. [2]

I was ticketed for driving without insurance. Do I need this certificate?

Not this special filing. The court may suspend your license for 30 days or until you file proof of regular insurance with the Secretary of State, whichever is later. You pay a $25 service fee when you submit that proof. [5]

Sources

Michigan Department of State - FAQs: Financial responsibility restricted licenses (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
Michigan Vehicle Code, Chapter V - Proof of Financial Responsibility for the Future (MCL 257.511-257.528) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
MCL 257.320e - License reinstatement fee (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
MCL 500.3009 - Automobile liability policy limits (Insurance Code) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
MCL 257.328 - Proof of insurance; failure to produce; suspension (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)