SR-22 terms, explained

SR-22 paperwork comes with a lot of letters and numbers. Here's what the common ones mean, in plain English, with each definition checked against official state sources.

Forms and filings

SR-22

A certificate your insurance company files with the state to prove you carry the liability coverage the state requires. Texas calls it the Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate. [1]

SR-22A

The insurance certificate Georgia requires after a second or later conviction for driving without insurance. If you don't own a vehicle, you can use an SR-22A non-owner policy, prepaid in full for each 6 months. [2][3]

SR-26

The form an insurance company files to tell the state your SR-22 was cancelled. In Illinois, your driving record is then suspended until a new filing is in place. [4][5][6]

FR-44

A filing like the SR-22 that Florida and Virginia use after a DUI conviction. It proves much higher liability limits, such as 100/300/50 in Florida. [7][8][9][10]

FR-19

Delaware's insurance certification form. Your insurer or agent fills it out to certify that your vehicle is, and has been, insured. Maryland's MVA has its own electronic eFR-19, which insurance agents submit online. [11][12]

DL-123

North Carolina's insurance certification form, filled out by an insurer licensed in North Carolina. You usually need one to get a suspended or revoked license back. [13][14][15]

PS35016

Minnesota's Insurance Certification form. Your insurance company, not your agent, fills it out. Minnesota uses it instead of an SR-22. [16]

Liability coverage

The insurance an SR-22 proves you have. A limit like 30/60/25 means $30,000 for injuries to one person, $60,000 for all injuries in one crash, and $25,000 for property damage. Those are Texas's minimums. [1][17]

Non-owner policy

A policy that covers you when you drive vehicles you don't own. Some state laws, like Ohio's and Colorado's, call it an operator's policy. Texas and Ohio, for example, accept an SR-22 on one. [18][19][20]

Lapse

When the insurance behind your SR-22 is cancelled or ends while you still need the filing. Your insurer tells the state, and your license can be suspended again. [18][21]

Driving offenses

DUI (driving under the influence)

Driving while affected by alcohol, drugs, or both. Georgia and Idaho, for example, require an SR-22 after a DUI conviction. [2][22][23]

DWI (driving while intoxicated)

Driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Missouri, Texas, and Louisiana use this name. [24][25][26]

OWI (operating while intoxicated)

The name Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana use for this offense instead of DUI. [27][28][29][30][31]

OUI (operating under the influence)

The name Maine and Massachusetts use for this offense instead of DUI. [32][33][34]

OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence)

Ohio's name for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both. [35]

DUII (driving while under the influence of intoxicants)

Oregon's name for this offense. A DUII conviction is one reason Oregon requires an SR-22. [36]

DWUI (driving while under the influence)

Wyoming's name for this offense. Wyoming requires an SR-22 after every DWUI conviction, including the first. [37][38]

BAC (blood alcohol concentration)

How much alcohol is in your blood, measured with a breath or blood test. In Texas, if you're arrested for DWI, a result of 0.08% or more while driving a regular (non-commercial) vehicle leads to an ALR suspension. If you're under 21, much less can count: in Illinois, any amount above 0.00 leads to a suspension. [39][40]

Agencies

DMV

Short for Department of Motor Vehicles or Division of Motor Vehicles, depending on the state. Oregon's DMV stands for Driver & Motor Vehicle Services. [9][36][41]

Department of Motor Vehicles: ConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaNebraskaNevadaSouth CarolinaVermontVirginia

Division of Motor Vehicles: AlaskaColoradoDelawareIdahoNorth CarolinaRhode IslandWest Virginia

Called “DMV”: CaliforniaNew YorkOregonWisconsin

BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles)

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the agency that handles driver's licenses in the states below. [42][43][44]

Used in: IndianaMaineOhio

MVD (Motor Vehicle Division)

The Motor Vehicle Division, the agency that handles driver's licenses in the states below. [45][46][47]

Used in: ArizonaMontanaNew Mexico

MVA (Motor Vehicle Administration)

The Motor Vehicle Administration, the agency that handles driver's licenses in the states below. [12]

Used in: Maryland

RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles)

The Registry of Motor Vehicles, the agency that handles driver's licenses in the states below. [48]

Used in: Massachusetts

DPS (Department of Public Safety)

The Department of Public Safety, the agency that handles driver's licenses in the states below. [1][49]

Used in: MinnesotaMississippiSouth DakotaTexas

DDS (Department of Driver Services)

The Department of Driver Services, the agency that handles driver's licenses in the states below. [2]

Used in: Georgia

DOL (Department of Licensing)

The Department of Licensing, the agency that handles driver's licenses in the states below. [50]

Used in: Washington

OMV (Office of Motor Vehicles)

The Office of Motor Vehicles, the agency that handles driver's licenses in the states below. [51]

Used in: Louisiana

MVC (Motor Vehicle Commission)

The Motor Vehicle Commission, the agency that handles driver's licenses in the states below. [52]

Used in: New Jersey

Other agency names

These states use a different name for the agency that handles SR-22s and license reinstatement.

• Alabama: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division
• Arkansas: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Office of Driver Services
• Florida: The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
• Hawaii: Each county administers the Safety Responsibility Act through its chief of police or director of finance
• Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State, Safety & Financial Responsibility Section (Springfield)
• Iowa: Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT)
• Kansas: Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles (Driver Solutions handles suspensions and reinstatement)
• Kentucky: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), Division of Driver Licensing, which handles suspensions and reinstatements
• Michigan: Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State), Driver Record Activity Unit
• Missouri: Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR), Driver License Bureau, Jefferson City
• North Dakota: North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver License Division
• Oklahoma: Service Oklahoma handles driver license suspensions and reinstatements
• Pennsylvania: PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation), Bureau of Driver Licensing
• Tennessee: The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (Driver Services, Financial Responsibility Division)
• Utah: The Utah Driver License Division
• Wyoming: Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Driver Services, Cheyenne
• New Hampshire: not confirmed from an official source yet

State lists come from each state's verified agency information. Open a state for its source.

Getting your license back

Suspension

A period when you can't legally drive. It lasts for a set time or until you meet certain requirements. [40][53]

Revocation

Taking away your license. In Illinois, a revocation takes away your driving privileges indefinitely, and you can't reapply for at least 1 year. In Montana, once it ends you apply for a new license and take the required tests. [40][46][53]

Reinstatement

Getting your license back after a suspension or revocation. You usually pay a reinstatement fee and meet the state's other conditions, which can include an SR-22. [28][54]

ALR (administrative license revocation)

Texas and Nebraska's name for losing your license after a DUI or DWI arrest when you fail or refuse an alcohol test, such as a breath or blood test. In Texas, it's separate from the criminal court case. [39][55]

ALS (administrative license suspension)

Ohio and Idaho's name for a license suspension after a failed breath, blood, or urine test. In Ohio, refusing the test also leads to one. In Idaho, it's separate from the criminal case and has its own fee. [23][35][56]

IID (ignition interlock device)

A device connected to a car's ignition that keeps it from running if the driver has been drinking. Illinois calls it a BAIID (breath alcohol ignition interlock device). [57][58][59]