FR-44 requirements: the reference table
Complete FR-44 requirement reference for Florida and Virginia: coverage limits, triggering offenses, filing duration, and who is exempt. Updated for the 2025 Virginia limit change.
Requirement table
| Requirement | Florida | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Fla. Stat. § 324.023 | Va. Code § 46.2-316(C) |
| Bodily injury / person | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Bodily injury / accident | $300,000 | $200,000 |
| Property damage | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Combined single limit | $350,000 accepted | Not standard |
| Triggering offense | DUI / DWI | DUI, DUI maiming, driving on DUI-forfeited license |
| Filing duration | 3 years | 3 years |
| Clock starts | Reinstatement date | Date entitled to a license |
| Non-owner option | Yes | Yes (operator’s policy) |
| Filed by | Insurer, to FLHSMV | Insurer, to Virginia DMV |
Triggering offenses in detail
Florida
DUI convictions under § 316.193, including enhanced penalties where the blood-alcohol level was 0.15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle. The state may also require an FR-44 in cases involving a DUI with serious bodily injury.
Virginia
Three specific categories: DUI under § 18.2-266, DUI maiming under § 18.2-51.4, and driving after forfeiture for a DUI offense under § 18.2-272. Comparable out-of-state convictions also count.
What does not trigger an FR-44
Driving without insurance, an unsatisfied judgment, or accumulating demerit points. Those scenarios call for an SR-22 at ordinary minimum limits. Filing an FR-44 when the state asked for an SR-22 wastes money and does not clear the suspension.
Exemptions and edge cases
- No vehicle: both states allow a non-owner or operator’s policy at the required limits. The certificate is tied to the driver.
- Filing period completed: once three continuous years pass without a new conviction, the requirement ends. The carrier may keep the policy but stops filing.
- Moving out of state: does not end the requirement. Virginia permits some non-residents to file a letter on insurer letterhead instead of an electronic certificate.
- Policy replacement: allowed, but the new policy must be bound and filed before the old one cancels. Otherwise the state records a gap.
What to have ready
Gather these before you call a carrier, because the filing details have to match the state record exactly:
- Driver’s license number and the state’s notice or order.
- Case number or court docket number from the conviction.
- Vehicle identification numbers for every vehicle to be listed (owner policies).
- Effective date you want the filing to begin.
- Payment method that can clear the same day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between FR-44 and SR-22 requirements?
The FR-44 certifies higher liability limits and is used for DUI-related offenses in Florida and Virginia. The SR-22 certifies standard minimum limits and is used in most states and for non-DUI suspensions.
How long must an FR-44 stay on file?
Three continuous years in both states, measured from reinstatement or the date you become entitled to a license.
Can a non-owner policy satisfy the requirement?
Yes, in both states, as long as it meets the required limits and the carrier files the certificate.
Do I need an FR-44 in any other state?
No. Florida and Virginia are the only states that use the FR-44; everywhere else uses the SR-22.
