FR-44 and SR-22 in Virginia: Who Needs Which

Virginia uses both filings. The FR-44 is for DUI-type convictions and doubles every minimum limit; the SR-22 covers a longer list of offenses at the standard limits.

Who needs an FR-44

Per the Virginia DMV, an FR-44 is required after a conviction for:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Maiming while under the influence
• Driving while your license was forfeited for one of those convictions
• A similar offense under federal law or another state's law

The FR-44 must show liability limits of double the standard minimum in every category (Va. Code § 46.2-316). With the minimums set at 50/100/25 for policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, that's $100,000 per person, $200,000 per accident and $50,000 for property damage. The requirement lasts 3 years, counted from when you would otherwise be eligible to get your license back. More on costs in our Virginia DUI insurance guide.

Who needs an SR-22

The DMV requires an SR-22, at the standard limits, for:

• Unsatisfied judgments
• An uninsured motor vehicle suspension
• Failing to provide proof of insurance when the DMV monitors your insurance
• Falsifying an insurance certification
• A license suspension after a conviction for: manslaughter involving a motor vehicle; perjury or a false statement to the DMV; a felony under motor vehicle law or involving a vehicle; failing to stop and identify yourself after a crash that injured or killed someone; or a second offense of carrying passengers for hire without a license

For the crimes in that last group, Virginia law requires proof of financial responsibility for 3 years after you become eligible for a license again (Va. Code § 46.2-316).

If your vehicle was uninsured

Virginia suspends the driving and registration privileges of uninsured vehicle owners. To reinstate, the DMV requires you to pay a $600 non-compliance fee, file an SR-22 for three years, and pay a reinstatement fee if one applies. A payment plan is available for the $600 fee.

What the filings cover

Limits for policies effective on or after January 1, 2025 (Va. Code §§ 46.2-472 and 46.2-316). The FR-44's doubled limits apply to each vehicle insured under the policy. Every Virginia policy also includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which matches your liability limits unless you reject the higher amount or choose lower limits in writing (§ 38.2-2206).

When the filing has to be on file

According to DMV 292, you need the SR-22 or FR-44 in place at several points, not just at the end of your suspension:

• Before a restricted license is issued, and for as long as you drive on it.
• For 3 years from the date your suspension or revocation ends.
• For a judgment, for 3 years from the date it's satisfied, and throughout any court-approved installment plan while you're paying it off.

The requirement applies to any driver convicted in Virginia, resident or not (§ 46.2-316). A juvenile finding of "not innocent" and a forfeited bail count the same as a conviction.

If you don't own a car

Not owning a vehicle doesn't get you out of it. The DMV says you file the SR-22 or FR-44 on an operator's policy, which covers you as a driver rather than any particular car. If you do own vehicles, every one of them has to be listed on the filing.

If you live outside Virginia

For the FR-44's doubled limits, the DMV says out-of-state residents may submit a letter on their insurance company's letterhead stating the double minimum coverage amounts. We didn't find a DMV page on what happens to an active Virginia filing when you move away, so ask the DMV before letting it lapse.

Cancellation

Virginia pairs each filing with a cancellation form: SR-26 for an SR-22 and FR-46 for an FR-44, which insurers use to tell the DMV your coverage ended. When that notice arrives, the DMV suspends or revokes your license until it receives a new, current filing. Keep coverage continuous for the full period.

What it costs

We didn't find a state fee for the filing itself; insurers usually charge $15–$25. The bigger cost is the premium. MoneyGeek's Virginia figures (40-year-old driver with good credit, updated mid-2026) put the average for an FR-44 after a DUI at about $106 a month, and the cheapest SR-22 minimum-coverage options at:

For full coverage after a DUI, MoneyGeek's Virginia average is about $184 a month, nearly double the $93 for a clean record, and Farm Bureau (~$77/month) and Travelers (~$97) come out cheapest. The spread between insurers is wide enough that comparing quotes matters more than almost anything else.

Estimates for one driver profile, not quotes.

Florida is the only other FR-44 state

Florida's FR-44 limits are fixed by statute at 100/300/50 rather than tied to a doubled minimum. See FR-44 and SR-22 in Florida.

Related: When does my SR-22 end? (calculator) · Driving without insurance in Virginia · Driving with a suspended license in Virginia · Reckless driving in Virginia · Car insurance after a DUI in Virginia · SR-22 requirements in every state

More Virginia guides

• Car insurance after a DUI in Virginia
• DUI under 21 in Virginia
• Driving without insurance in Virginia
• Driving with a suspended license in Virginia
• Reckless driving penalties and insurance in Virginia
• Car insurance for teen drivers in Virginia
• Car insurance for senior drivers in Virginia