SR22 State

SR-22 in Ohio

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

Ohio requires an SR-22 (or a financial responsibility bond) on file with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) after certain suspensions. These include driving without proof of insurance, a 12-point suspension, and a civil judgment from a crash.

Ohio shortened the period in 2025. Under state law, for newer suspensions you keep the SR-22 for 1 year from the date the BMV imposes the suspension. Older cases can still carry 3 or 5 years. [1][2]

Uses SR-22?
Yes
How long
1 year [2]
After a DUI
Not confirmed
Base reinstatement fee
$40 [3]
Minimum liability coverage
25/50/25 [4]

Does Ohio require an SR-22?

Yes. Ohio requires a certificate of insurance (SR-22) or a financial responsibility bond on file with the BMV after certain suspensions. [1]

Form: SR-22 certificate of insurance, or a financial responsibility bond (the BMV writes "SR-22/bond") [1]

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

1 year from the date the BMV imposes the suspension, for suspensions on or after April 9, 2025. Older cases carry 3 or 5 years. [2]

After a DUI

We haven't confirmed this from an official Ohio source yet. Check with Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

What does reinstatement cost?

$40 financial responsibility reinstatement fee for a first no-insurance (non-compliance) violation ($300 for a second, $600 for a third or later), plus a $10 deputy registrar service fee. Other suspension types have their own fees. [3]

We couldn't confirm whether Ohio 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, $25,000 property damage [4]

What happens if your SR-22 lapses?

A certified policy can't be cancelled until at least 10 days after the insurer files a cancellation notice with the Registrar. If your proof no longer meets the requirement, the Registrar must ask for new proof and suspend your license until you file it. [5]

Don't own a car?

Yes. Ohio law recognizes an "operator's policy" covering the insured while driving vehicles they don't own, and an SR-22 for a non-owner doesn't have to list any vehicles. [6]

Who has to file one?

A non-compliance suspension (no proof of insurance at a traffic stop or crash), a 12-point suspension, or a civil judgment suspension from a crash [1]

Who handles it

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) [1]

Common questions

Do I need an SR-22 after an OVI (DUI)?

The BMV's pages for a first OVI, an administrative license suspension, or a physical-control suspension don't list an SR-22. They say to serve the suspension, pay a reinstatement fee, and provide proof of insurance that covers the length of the suspension. [7]

My suspension is from before April 2025. How long do I keep the SR-22?

The BMV still uses the old periods for older cases. A first no-insurance offense added to your record before April 9, 2025 carries 3 years, and a second or later offense within five years added before that date carries 5 years. Older 12-point suspensions carry 3 years. [1][2][8]

How much does it cost to reinstate after a no-insurance suspension?

The reinstatement fee is $40 for a first offense, $300 for a second, and $600 for a third or later, plus a $10 deputy registrar service fee. If you can't pay, the BMV has a debt reduction and amnesty program with payment plans of at least $25 every 30 days, and fees can be waived with proof of indigence. CDL suspensions don't qualify. [3][9]

I don't own a car. Can I still get an SR-22?

Yes. Ohio law recognizes an operator's policy that covers you when you drive vehicles you don't own, and an SR-22 for a non-owner doesn't have to list any vehicles. [6][10]

What happens if my SR-22 policy is cancelled?

Your insurer has to file a cancellation notice, and the policy can't end until at least 10 days after that. If your proof no longer meets the requirement, the BMV must ask for new proof and suspend your license until you file it. [5][11]

Is there an alternative to an SR-22?

Yes. Ohio also accepts a financial responsibility bond, a $30,000 deposit of money or securities with the BMV, or self-insurance. Showing proof on your phone doesn't count when proof has to be filed during a suspension. [1][2]

Sources

  1. Ohio BMV - Insurance Suspensions (Non-Compliance, Judgment, Security) (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  2. Ohio Rev. Code 4509.45 - Filing of proof of financial responsibility (eff. April 9, 2025, HB 29) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  3. Ohio Rev. Code 4509.101 - Operating without proof of financial responsibility (eff. Sept. 30, 2025, HB 96) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  4. Ohio Rev. Code 4509.51 - Requirements for owner's liability insurance (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  5. Ohio Rev. Code 4509.66 - Suspension for inadequate proof of financial responsibility (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  6. Ohio Rev. Code 4509.52 - Requirements for operator's insurance (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  7. Ohio BMV - Alcohol & Drug Suspensions (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  8. Ohio BMV - Other Suspensions (12-Point Suspension) (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  9. Ohio BMV - Reinstatement Fees & Amnesty (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  10. Ohio Rev. Code 4509.46 - Certificate of domestic insurer as proof (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
  11. Ohio Rev. Code 4509.57 - Notice required to terminate insurance certification (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)

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