SR22 State

Does New York require an SR-22?

Checked against official New York sources · Last reviewed October 6, 2026

New York does not use the SR-22. Under Vehicle and Traffic Law section 346, no one has had to file or maintain proof of financial responsibility under the state's Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act since February 1, 1957.

Instead, DMV checks insurance in two parts: a New York State Insurance ID Card (FS-20, FS-83, or a temporary FS-21) and an electronic notice that your insurer sends straight to DMV. DMV needs both. Insurance matters are handled by the New York State DMV's Insurance Services Bureau. [1][2][6][7]

Uses SR-22?
No
Base reinstatement fee
$50 [3]
Minimum liability coverage
25/50/10 [4]

Does New York require an SR-22?

No. New York does not use the SR-22. Under Vehicle and Traffic Law section 346, no one has been required to file or maintain proof of financial responsibility under New York's Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act since February 1, 1957. [1]

What does reinstatement cost?

$50 suspension termination fee for most fixed-period suspensions; revoked licenses require a $100 re-application fee instead; civil penalties apply for some revocations [3]

What coverage do you need?

$25,000 bodily injury and $50,000 death for one person; $50,000 bodily injury and $100,000 death for two or more people; $10,000 property damage [4]

What happens if your insurance lapses?

If your vehicle's insurance lapses, DMV suspends the registration, and if that suspension runs more than 90 days DMV also suspends your driver license. If an uninsured vehicle of yours is in a crash, DMV revokes your license and registration for at least a year. [5]

Who handles it

New York State DMV (insurance matters go through its Insurance Services Bureau) [6]

Common questions

Does New York require an SR-22 or an insurer-filed certificate?

No. New York's Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act still describes proof by an insurer's certificate, but section 346 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law says that, notwithstanding any other law, no one has been required to file or maintain that proof since February 1, 1957. Your proof of insurance is the New York insurance ID card plus your insurer's electronic notice to DMV. [1][2][8]

How much does it cost to get my license back?

Most fixed-period suspensions end with a $50 suspension termination fee ($100 for an under-21 Zero Tolerance suspension). If your license was revoked, there is a $100 re-application fee instead; DMV's driver's manual says it is waived if the revocation was for driving without insurance. Some revocations also carry a civil penalty you must pay first, such as $750 for a no-insurance or uninsured-crash revocation. [3][9]

What extra costs come with a DWI or a refused chemical test?

After an alcohol or drug conviction, DMV charges a Driver Responsibility Assessment of $250 a year for 3 years. Refusing a chemical test brings a $500 civil penalty ($550 in a commercial vehicle), or $750 if you had a prior refusal or alcohol violation within 5 years. [3][10]

What happens if my car insurance lapses?

DMV suspends the vehicle's registration, and if that suspension runs more than 90 days, DMV also suspends your driver license. To end it, you can send proof such as an insurance ID card that starts on or after the cancellation date, a bill of sale, or a theft report, and you can send it online. If your uninsured vehicle is in a crash, DMV revokes your license and registration for at least a year. [5][11]

Can I keep my insurance from another state?

Not for a car registered in New York. DMV does not accept out-of-state vehicle insurance of any kind, so a New York-registered vehicle needs New York liability insurance. [2]

Can my insurance agent send DMV the proof?

No. The electronic notice of coverage has to come directly from your insurance company. An agent or broker can't file it. [2]

Sources

  1. NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 346 - Proof of financial responsibility not required after February first, nineteen hundred fifty-seven (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
  2. NY DMV - New York State Insurance Requirements (official agency page, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
  3. NY DMV - Driver's Manual, Chapter 2: How to Keep Your License (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  4. NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 311 - Definitions (owner's policy minimum limits) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  5. NY DMV - Insurance Lapses (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  6. NY DMV - Unsatisfied Judgments (official agency page, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
  7. NY DMV - Sample New York State Insurance ID Cards (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  8. NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 343 - Proof of financial responsibility by certificate showing motor vehicle liability policy obtained (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
  9. NY Vehicle and Traffic Law § 503 - License fees (suspension termination and re-application fees) (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
  10. NY DMV - C-12, A Guide to Suspension & Revocation of Driving Privileges (rev. 6/17) (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  11. NY DMV - Suspensions and Revocations (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)

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