SR-22A in Georgia: Who Needs It and for How Long
Georgia has two filings: the SR-22A after repeat no-insurance convictions, and, since September 2025, an SR-22 at higher limits after any DUI conviction. Both last three years.
Two filings, two triggers
Georgia now uses two versions of the filing, and which one you need depends on what you were convicted of:
| Conviction | Filing | Limits it certifies | How long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second or later no-insurance conviction (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-10) | SR-22A | 25/50/25 | 3 years from the conviction |
| Any DUI conviction (§ 40-6-391), since September 4, 2025 | SR-22 | 50/100/50 after a first DUI; 100/300/100 after a second or later | 3 years from the conviction |
The SR-22A after repeat no-insurance convictions
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) requires an SR-22A to reinstate a license suspended for a second or later conviction for no proof of insurance. DDS Rule 375-3-3-.17 says it must be filed and maintained for three years from the date of conviction.
| No-insurance conviction | What DDS requires to reinstate |
|---|---|
| First offense | A 60-day suspension, then proof of insurance and the reinstatement fee ($200 by mail, $210 in person). No SR-22A. A nolo contendere plea, if the court allows it, avoids the suspension for a first offense within five years. |
| Second or later | At least a 90-day suspension, the reinstatement fee ($300 by mail, $310 in person), and an SR-22A kept for 3 years. No limited permit is available. |
The SR-22A is Georgia's Safety Responsibility Insurance Certificate, certifying liability limits of $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. What makes it different from an ordinary SR-22 is payment: you prepay the policy in full every six months. After the first six months have been paid in full, DDS will accept a premium-financed SR-22A, as long as the policy can't be cancelled for non-payment within 180 days of its effective date. You can have the insurer fax the SR-22A directly to DDS. DDS also accepts a standard SR-22 marked "Paid In Full", and an out-of-state SR-22 with a receipt showing you paid the insurer and proof the policy carries at least Georgia's minimum limits.
An SR-22A is also part of the way out of a Safety Responsibility suspension after an uninsured crash: posting security with DDS plus an SR-22A. See driving without insurance in Georgia.
The SR-22 after a DUI
Rule 375-3-3-.24 ties the DUI filing to Georgia's 2025 insurance law, SB 121. For three years after a DUI conviction, you have to keep higher limits than other drivers, without interruption: 50/100/50 after a first DUI and 100/300/100 after a second or later one, and the SR-22 certifies those limits rather than the standard 25/50/25. A guilty plea and a nolo contendere plea both count as convictions. The first filing is marked "Paid in Full" for six months; premium financing is allowed after that. SB 121 covers DUI only: a reckless driving conviction, including one pleaded down from a DUI, doesn't trigger it.
The DUI suspension itself is unchanged. For a first DUI by a driver 21 or older (first in five years), it's a 12-month suspension, with reinstatement possible after 120 days by completing a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program and paying the fee ($200 by mail, $210 in person).
No car? You still need a policy
DDS is explicit: everyone convicted of a second or later no-insurance offense must buy and maintain an SR-22A policy. If you don't own a vehicle, you need an SR-22A non-owner's policy for 3 years from the conviction date, prepaid in full every 6 months.
If the policy is cancelled
An insurer can't drop the filing quietly: it has to give DDS 30 days' notice (form SR-26) before cancelling. If the policy is cancelled during the three years, that results in the cancellation of your driver's license. DDS won't accept a cancellation for non-payment on a filing marked "Paid in Full". Keep the policy paid for the full period.
What it costs
The filing itself usually costs $15–$50. The premium depends on why you need it. Insurance.com's Georgia estimates (full coverage, 100/300/100 limits, for a 40-year-old driver, updated April 2026):
| Situation | Annual premium, cheapest found |
|---|---|
| After driving without insurance | USAA* ~$2,153, GEICO ~$2,364, Progressive ~$2,470 |
| After a first DUI | Progressive ~$3,176, Allstate ~$3,354, USAA* ~$3,573 |
| Any SR-22, state average | ~$2,659 |
Related: When does my SR-22 end? (calculator) · Driving with a suspended license in Georgia · Reckless driving in Georgia · Driving without insurance in Georgia · SR-22 requirements in every state
More Georgia guides
- Driving without insurance in Georgia
- Driving with a suspended license in Georgia
- Reckless driving penalties and insurance in Georgia
Sources
- Georgia DDS, "Reinstatement FAQs - No Proof of Insurance (Multiple Convictions)" and "(First Offense)" — accessed September 2026
- Georgia DDS, "Reinstatement FAQs - Driving Under the Influence (DUI) (First Offense) Drivers Age 21 and Over" — accessed September 2026
- Georgia DDS Rule 375-3-3-.17, Reinstatement Procedures for Suspensions Based on Second or Subsequent Convictions for No Proof of Insurance — accessed September 2026
- Georgia DDS Rule 375-3-3-.24, "Reinstatement Procedures for DUI Suspensions" (adopted August 15, 2025, effective September 4, 2025) — accessed September 2026
- Georgia SB 121 (2025), signed text — accessed September 2026
- Georgia DDS, "Reinstatement Fees and Payment Options" and Driver's Manual Section 10 (Safety Responsibility Law) — accessed September 2026
- Insurance.com, "SR-22 insurance in Georgia" (updated April 14, 2026) — accessed September 2026
Every requirement on this page was checked against the official source above. See our methodology and disclaimer — this page is general information, not legal advice. Your suspension notice from the state is the final word on what you personally need.