sr22finderSR-22 after a DUI
“You need an SR-22 after a DUI” is true in many states and wrong in the details. The form, the length and even whether it is automatic depend on the state.
A DUI does not produce the same filing everywhere
“You'll need an SR-22 after a DUI” is a familiar sentence in this subject and not a precise one. The statutes read for this site disagree on three things: whether a DUI triggers proof at all, which form it triggers, and how long it lasts. This page sets the differences side by side. Every rule below is quoted from the state's own section.
How the rules differ
Some states change the form: FR-44
Florida and Virginia do not use the ordinary certificate after an alcohol offense. They use an FR-44, which certifies higher limits — 100/300/50 in Florida and 100/200/50 in Virginia — for 3 years in Florida and 3 years in Virginia. FR-44 vs SR-22 has the amounts and the triggers.
Fla. Stat. sec. 324.023 · 2024 Florida Statutes
Same sentence in the same section as the amounts: “Such higher limits must be carried for a minimum period of 3 years.”
Some states change the length
Alaska: a ladder by prior convictions
Alaska replaces its ordinary three-year release for DUI and breath-test refusal: five years for a first conviction, 10 for a second, 20 for a third, and for as long as the person is licensed after a fourth. Refusal counts exactly like DUI.
Alaska Stat. sec. 28.20.230(c) · Alaska Statutes 2025
A person convicted of DUI under AS 28.35.030, or of refusing a breath test under AS 28.35.032, “shall maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future for (1) five years if the person has not been previously convicted; (2) 10 years if the person has been previously convicted once; (3) 20 years if the person has been previously convicted twice; (4) for as long as the person is licensed to drive under AS 28.15 if the person has been previously convicted three or more times.” The subsection applies “notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter.”
Vermont: three years for a repeat
Vermont's ordinary period is one year, but a second or subsequent conviction under its impaired-driving section raises it to three years — measured from the reinstatement eligibility date where a suspension resulted.
Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 23 sec. 809(b) · Vermont Statutes (Justia)
Not until three years after a conviction of careless and negligent or reckless driving resulting in death, or a second and subsequent conviction under sec. 1201 — measured from the reinstatement eligibility date where a suspension resulted.
Colorado: a single offense can be shorter
Colorado keeps proof for three years in general, but if the driver was found guilty of DUI, DUI per se or DWAI only one time and no accident was involved, proof runs only as long as the driving privilege is under restraint, up to three years, starting at reinstatement.
Colo. Rev. Stat. sec. 42-7-408(1)(c)(I) · 2025 Colorado Revised Statutes
If the insured was found guilty of DUI, DUI per se or DWAI, or revoked under sec. 42-2-126 (other than (3)(b) or (3)(e)), “only one time and no accident was involved,” proof is maintained “only for as long as the insured's driving privilege is ordered to be under restraint, up to a maximum of three years,” beginning when the driver reinstates.
State’s own copy of this section: https://leg.colorado.gov/laws/colorado-revised-statutes
Some states change what the proof has to cover
Louisiana adds a second layer after a DUI or a refused chemical test: proof for every vehicle registered to the person and financial responsibility “individually as a non-owner for a period of three years.” A driver with insured cars still needs the non-owner piece.
La. Rev. Stat. sec. 32:896(A) · Louisiana Revised Statutes
When a license is suspended on a DUI conviction, guilty plea or bond forfeiture, or for refusing a chemical test under sec. 32:667, no license is reinstated unless the person gives and maintains proof “with respect to all motor vehicles registered by him and shall show financial responsibility individually as a non-owner for a period of three years.”
Some states do not make it automatic
New Hampshire's section says the director may suspend and require proof after a conviction for driving under the influence — a power, not an automatic consequence. Maine makes it mandatory for a second OUI within ten years: the Secretary of State “may not reinstate the person's license until the person gives proof of financial responsibility.” For other violations the word there is “may”.
N.H. Rev. Stat. sec. 264:2(I) · 2025 New Hampshire Revised Statutes
On conviction for driving under the influence, failing to stop and report after an accident, vehicular homicide or assault, a second excessive-speed or a second reckless-driving conviction, and other violations the director determines, the director “may suspend” license and registrations “unless and until such person gives and thereafter maintains proof.” Notice goes out at least 10 days before the suspension takes effect.
State’s own copy of this section: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/264/264-2.htm
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A sec. 1603(2) · in force 2026
On an OUI conviction where the person was previously convicted of OUI within a 10-year period, the Secretary of State “may not reinstate the person's license until the person gives proof of financial responsibility,” and the suspension may not be shorter than the original one. Subsection (1), for other motor vehicle violations, says the Secretary “may” suspend until proof is given.
Where the DUI is on a list
Several states do not mention DUI by itself; they list it among the offenses that trigger proof. Kansas borrows the habitual-violator list, which includes driving under the influence — and one conviction on that list is enough for the one-year filing. South Dakota names five sections, the DUI section among them. North Dakota bars issuing or returning a license after a conviction for driving under the influence until proof is given. Vermont's list includes any violation of its impaired-driving section.
K.S.A. 8-285 · in force 2026
The section defines “habitual violator” and lists the offenses that count: among them vehicular homicide, a violation of K.S.A. 8-1567 (driving under the influence), and driving while the privilege is canceled, suspended or revoked. Sec. 40-3118(d)(1) borrows the list; one conviction on it is enough for the one-year filing.
What none of these sections decide
The filing is the insurance consequence of a DUI. The suspension or revocation itself, fines, jail, treatment and ignition interlock conditions are set in the criminal and licensing provisions, which run on their own clocks. Our sister site covers the criminal side by state: California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Georgia.
For how long the filing lasts in every state read here, see the filing-period guide; for every other event that can trigger one, see what triggers an SR-22.
Common questions
Do I need an SR-22 after a DUI?
In many of the states read here a DUI conviction or the suspension that follows it triggers proof of financial responsibility. New Hampshire's section makes it discretionary, and Florida and Virginia use an FR-44 instead.
How long is an SR-22 after a DUI?
It varies: three years in many states, but Alaska runs five years for a first conviction and up to as long as you are licensed, and Colorado can be shorter after a single offense with no accident.
Does refusing a breath test require an SR-22?
In Alaska a refusal conviction is on the same ladder as DUI, and in Louisiana a suspension for refusing a chemical test triggers the same proof as a DUI.
Do I need non-owner SR-22 after a DUI if I own a car?
In Louisiana, yes: proof for all registered vehicles and financial responsibility individually as a non-owner, for three years.
Is the FR-44 the same as an SR-22?
No. Florida and Virginia use the FR-44 after an alcohol offense, and it certifies higher limits.
Sources cited on this page
- Fla. Stat. sec. 324.023
- Alaska Stat. sec. 28.20.230(c)
- Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 23 sec. 809(b)
- Colo. Rev. Stat. sec. 42-7-408(1)(c)(I)
- La. Rev. Stat. sec. 32:896(A)
- N.H. Rev. Stat. sec. 264:2(I)
- Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 29-A sec. 1603(2)
- K.S.A. 8-285
- S.D. Codified Laws sec. 32-35-43
- N.D. Cent. Code sec. 39-16.1-07
Every figure above was read from the source it is attributed to on September 19, 2026. How we check this.