FR-44 vs SR-22: Which States Require Which Filing (and Why Only Two States Use FR-44)
A state-by-state map of the SR-22/FR-44 world: where each filing lives, why FR-44 is rare, and what happens when you move between the systems.
High-risk filing requirements are a patchwork, and the FR-44 is the rarest patch of all — exactly two states issue it. Understanding the map matters most when you’re moving, because filing obligations do not follow you cleanly across state lines.
The FR-44 States
- Florida — FR-44 at 100/300/50 (or $350k CSL) for alcohol-related violations. 3-year term from reinstatement.
- Virginia — FR-44 at 100/200/50 for alcohol-related convictions; SR-22 for other high-risk categories. 3-year term from filing.
Every other state’s high-risk filings are SR-22s (or state-named equivalents like Ohio’s SR-22 bond, North Carolina’s filed policies, New York’s plan-based structures).
Why Only Two States Use the FR-44
The FR-44 concept — “for alcohol violations, certify double limits” — is a legislative choice made by two legislatures. Other states achieve the same outcome differently: steeper DUI-specific surcharges, mandatory higher minimums for all drivers, or interlock-based compliance. The FR-44 is not a better or worse system; it’s a specific one. Drivers relocating into Florida or Virginia from SR-22 states are often surprised the requirement re-forms at higher limits — the new state’s rules govern once you’re licensed there.
The Moving Scenarios, Handled One by One
| Move | What Happens to the Filing |
|---|---|
| FR-44 state → SR-22 state | The FR-44 obligation continues while your origin license is active. Get licensed in the new state (surrendering the old) to resolve — evaluate consequences carefully first. |
| SR-22 state → FR-44 state | Old SR-22 term may continue in origin state; the new state adds its own requirement on licensure. Two filings can co-exist. |
| Florida ↔ Virginia | Both are FR-44 states but the limits differ; a filing may need re-issuance at the new state’s limits. |
| Any state → military orders overseas | Special licensing rules apply; talk to both the state agency and insurer before assuming. |
The Interstate Compact Layer
Most states share conviction data through the Driver License Compact. A DUI in Georgia by a Florida-licensed driver reports back to Florida, whose agency then imposes its own requirement (the FR-44) on the Florida license. The conviction state never files anything — your home state does. This is why “I got the DUI elsewhere” is not a defense to a home-state FR-44 letter.
Practical Guidance
- Before any move mid-term: call your current state agency and ask exactly what happens to the filing if you surrender the license. Get the answer in writing if possible.
- Never cancel the filing before the new state’s licensing is complete — the gap is where suspensions live.
- Tell the new insurer the full story — both states’ requirements — so the correct filings get made the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hold both an FR-44 and an SR-22 at once?
Yes — different states, different licenses, both can require filings simultaneously. Insurers handle dual filings routinely; disclose everything.
Do all insurers file in both FR-44 states?
Many file in both, but limits differ — confirm the filing matches your specific state’s requirement.
Is the FR-44 requirement recognized by other states?
Other states don’t enforce another state’s FR-44 — they evaluate your record on licensure and may impose their own requirements.
Which is more common nationally?
SR-22s, overwhelmingly — FR-44s are a two-state specialty.
Does the FR-44 show up in other states’ DMV queries?
The conviction does (via compact); the filing itself is state-local. Licensing agencies in the new state evaluate the record independently.
