Alabama
Your insurer must notify the state at least 10 days before a certified policy is cancelled or terminated. If your proof no longer meets the requirement, the state must suspend your license and registration until you file new proof.
If your SR-22 lapses
If your insurance is cancelled or lapses while you're required to have an SR-22, your insurer tells the state, and the state can suspend your license again. We confirmed the rule from official sources in 39 states; it's listed for each one below.
How the state finds out
You don't have to report it. Your insurer does. In Texas, the insurer automatically notifies DPS when an SR-22 is cancelled, ends, or lapses. Florida insurers report a cancelled SR-22 on a form called the SR-26, and a cancelled FR-44 on an FR-46.
Some states build in a short delay. In Ohio, a certified policy can't be cancelled until at least 10 days after the insurer files a cancellation notice. In Wisconsin, the insurer must file the notice at least 10 days before coverage ends. [1][2][3][4]
What happens next
The usual result is another suspension until a new SR-22 is on file. In Texas your license, and possibly your registration, can be suspended again until a new SR-22 is filed and you pay another $100 reinstatement fee. In Nevada, the DMV suspends your license and the registrations of every vehicle in your name. [1][5]
Does a lapse restart the clock?
Many websites say a lapse sends your SR-22 period back to day one. In the official sources we reviewed for every state, we didn't find a law that says so outright.
Nevada's DMV comes closest: it says that if your policy cancels during the SR-22 period, you "may have to start the 3-year requirement all over again." Wisconsin's law points the other way: a lapse suspension lasts until you file new proof or the original proof period runs out.
Most states don't address it directly. Ask your state agency how a lapse affects your end date before you assume either way. [4][5]
How to avoid a lapse
Keep the policy paid until your requirement ends, and get written confirmation of the end date from the state before you cancel. If you switch insurers, have the new insurer file its SR-22 before the old policy ends.
Texas law shows why timing matters: a certified policy can't end until the sixth day after DPS receives the cancellation notice, unless a new certified policy replaces it. [6]
State by state
From each state's verified data. Open a state for the full rules and sources.
Alaska
Your insurer must notify DMV if the policy is cancelled, terminated, or lapses. A certified policy can't be cancelled until 10 days after that notice is filed. If a required policy is cancelled, state law says you must immediately return your license to DMV.
Arizona
If your SR-22 coverage lapses at any time during the required period, your license may be suspended until you re-establish proof, and you pay a $10 suspension fee. Your insurer must file a cancellation notice with MVD at least 10 days before the certified coverage ends.
Arkansas
Not confirmed from an official source yet. Check with Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Office of Driver Services.
California
Your insurer must notify the DMV if the policy is canceled, and the DMV suspends your driving privilege until you file new proof of insurance
Colorado
If your SR-22 coverage is cancelled or lapses, your insurer notifies the DMV and your license is suspended for that reason alone. It stays suspended until you file new proof (SR-22). If nothing else blocks reinstatement, the DMV says you may reinstate once you file a new SR-22.
Connecticut
The insurer must tell the DMV Commissioner at least 10 days before the certified policy is cancelled or terminated. If you don't keep the required proof, the Commissioner suspends or revokes your license (and can suspend registrations) until new proof is furnished, and you must return your registration and plates.
Delaware
Insurers report cancellations to the DMV. If your insurance lapses, the vehicle's registration is suspended. It stays suspended until you get insurance, your insurer certifies it on a DMV insurance certification form, and you pay the uninsured motorist penalty: $100 per vehicle for 1-30 days uninsured, plus $5 per vehicle per day after that. If you ignore a DMV insurance audit, the registration and all owners' driver's licenses are suspended, and each registration costs a $50 reinstatement fee.
District of Columbia
Insurers must notify DC DMV of any cancellation or termination. If continuous insurance isn't kept on a DC-registered vehicle, the registration is suspended and you are fined, with fines increasing over time. When filed proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) no longer fulfills its purpose, the law requires other proof. The DMV does not publish a specific SR-22 lapse rule.
Florida
If the policy you are using as proof is cancelled or terminated, Florida law requires you to return your license and registrations to FLHSMV right away. They stay suspended until you file new proof and keep it in place for the required period.
Georgia
If the SR-22A policy is cancelled during the 3 years, the insurer notifies DDS, which cancels your driver's license.
Hawaii
A certified policy can't be cancelled until at least 10 days after the insurer files a cancellation notice with the administrator. If the certified policy is cancelled or terminated, you must immediately surrender your license, and police can be directed to take it.
Idaho
Your insurer notifies ITD with an SR-26 when the policy is cancelled. Failing to keep the SR-22 for the required time reactivates the suspension until the SR-22 and fee requirements are met ($25 reinstatement fee for an SR-22 cancellation).
Illinois
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.
Indiana
If your insurer cancels the SR22, it files an SR26 with the BMV and the BMV must suspend your driving privileges until it receives a new SR22 or the requirement period ends. If this happens during the 180-day stay of a no-insurance suspension, the stay is removed, the suspension becomes active again, and the reinstatement fee comes back due.
Iowa
When your proof is cancelled (the insurer files an SR-26), you must immediately refile proof or surrender your license and registrations. If you don't refile, the DOT serves a suspension notice; you can't drive or register vehicles in Iowa until proof is refiled.
Kansas
Your insurer must immediately notify the Division of Vehicles if the policy on file ends for any reason. Kansas law treats that notice as prima facie evidence that you have no insurance. After notice and a chance for a hearing, the Division can suspend your driving privileges and revoke your registration until proof of insurance is filed again and a reinstatement fee ($100, or $300 for a repeat within a year) is paid.
Kentucky
Not confirmed from an official source yet. Check with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), Division of Driver Licensing, which handles suspensions and reinstatements.
Louisiana
If the proof on file no longer does its job (for example the policy is cancelled), Louisiana law requires OMV to demand new proof and suspend your license and registration until it is filed.
Maine
Not confirmed from an official source yet. Check with The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), part of the Secretary of State.
Maryland
Maryland doesn't use the SR-22. See what it requires instead.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts doesn't use the SR-22. See what it requires instead.
Michigan
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.
Minnesota
Minnesota doesn't use the SR-22. See what it requires instead.
Mississippi
If the proof you filed no longer meets the requirement, state law requires the Department of Public Safety to suspend your license until you file other proof.
Missouri
Your insurer can't cancel a certified policy until at least 10 days after it files a cancellation notice with the Department of Revenue. If you don't keep proof on file for the required period, your license is suspended again until new proof is filed.
Montana
Not confirmed from an official source yet. Check with Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Records and Driver Control Bureau, Helena.
Nebraska
If your SR-22 cancels or lapses, your license and operating privileges can be suspended for an insurance cancellation. To reinstate, you must file a new SR-22 and pay a $50 reinstatement fee.
Nevada
Your insurer notifies the DMV right away if you drop coverage. The DMV will suspend your driver license and the registrations of all vehicles in your name. DMV says that if your policy cancels during the SR-22 period, you "may have to start the 3-year requirement all over again."
New Hampshire
The law lets the DMV suspend your license and registrations "unless and until" you give "and thereafter maintain" proof of financial responsibility. A continuous certificate stays in effect for at least 20 days after the DMV receives the cancellation notice.
New Jersey
If your vehicle's insurance is cancelled, your insurer's report leads MVC to send a suspension notice. You clear it with proof of current NJ insurance (ID card, declarations page, or reinstatement letter, showing the VIN) or proof you no longer have the vehicle, plus the $100 restoration fee per suspended privilege.
New Mexico
Failing to keep liability insurance leads to a suspension (MVD code D38). To reinstate you show a current insurance policy that lists you, plus a letter of release in some cases, and pay the reinstatement fee.
New York
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.
North Carolina
If you don't keep the required insurance in effect for 3 years after restoration, NCDMV can suspend your restored license for 30 days.
North Dakota
Your insurer must notify NDDOT within 10 days after the certified policy is cancelled or terminated. If the proof on file no longer meets the requirement, NDDOT will require new proof and suspend your license if you don't provide it.
Ohio
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.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma doesn't use the SR-22. See what it requires instead.
Oregon
The SR-22 must promise that your insurer will tell DMV within 10 days of any cancellation. If the filing lapses or no longer meets requirements and you do not provide new proof, DMV must suspend your driving privileges until you comply. You must also return your license and registration to DMV.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania doesn't use the SR-22. See what it requires instead.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island doesn't use the SR-22. See what it requires instead.
South Carolina
If the certified policy is cancelled, the insurer must notify SCDMV. When the proof on file no longer meets the requirement, SCDMV must suspend your license and registration until you file new proof (S.C. Code 56-9-550, 56-9-610).
South Dakota
If a certified policy is cancelled or terminated, the insurer must notify the Department of Public Safety within 15 days. If the proof on file no longer meets the requirement, DPS must suspend your license and registration until you file new proof (SDCL 32-35-80, 32-35-94).
Tennessee
If the SR-22 policy is cancelled or terminated before the requirement ends, the Department suspends your license and asks the Department of Revenue to suspend your registration, unless you file another policy first. You get at least 20 days' mailed notice. To reinstate you must file a new SR-22 dated after the notice, surrender your license, and pay a $65 reinstatement fee plus the $50 SR-22 fee.
Texas
Your insurer automatically notifies DPS when the SR-22 is cancelled, terminated, or lapses. Your license (and vehicle registration) can be re-suspended, and you must file a new SR-22 and pay another $100 reinstatement fee.
Utah
Not confirmed from an official source yet. Check with The Utah Driver License Division. Your insurer or agent submits the SR-22; you may also email, fax (801-965-4844), or bring it in person..
Vermont
Any lapse in Financial Responsibility Insurance coverage leads to a suspension of your driving privileges. Your license is not reinstated until valid coverage is on file with the DMV again.
Virginia
If your policy is cancelled during the required three years, your insurer notifies DMV with a Notice of Cancellation or Termination. DMV then suspends or revokes your driving privilege until you provide a current SR-22 or FR-44.
Washington
When DOL is notified by your insurer that the SR-22 insurance was canceled, it suspends your license until your insurance company notifies DOL that you are in compliance again. By statute, DOL also suspends the license and registration pending new proof.
West Virginia
West Virginia doesn't use the SR-22. See what it requires instead.
Wisconsin
If you fail to keep the SR22 during the required period, the DMV suspends or revokes your operating privilege until you file new proof or the original proof period runs out. The insurer must file the cancellation notice with the DMV at least 10 days before coverage ends.
Wyoming
The insurer must notify WYDOT when SR-22 insurance is canceled, at least 10 days before it ends. WYDOT then suspends your license and registration until you file new proof.
Sources
- Texas DPS - FAQ Section 9: SR-22 (Proof of Financial Responsibility) (Texas, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
- FLHSMV - Procedures Manual for Implementation of the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law and Financial Responsibility Law: Daily Requirements (eff. Feb 25, 2013) (Florida, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
- Ohio Rev. Code 4509.66 - Suspension for inadequate proof of financial responsibility (Ohio, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
- Wis. Stat. 344.40 - Revocation or suspension for failure to maintain proof (Wisconsin, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
- Nevada DMV - Nevada Liability Insurance Requirements (Nevada, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
- Texas Transportation Code Chapter 601 - Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act (Texas, accessed Oct 5, 2026)