California DUI SR-22 Insurance After Conviction
California requires 30/60/15 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.
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California at a Glance
30/60/15
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
At-fault
The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause
Optional
PIP and uninsured motorist coverage are not required by law
$55
State license reinstatement fee
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in California
California operates under a tort liability system, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance pays for injuries and damage caused to others. After a DUI conviction, the California Department of Motor Vehicles requires SR-22 filing to reinstate driving privileges — proof your insurance carrier maintains continuous coverage at or above state minimums. The three-year filing period begins on conviction date, not reinstatement date, which creates a timing trap if reinstatement is delayed.
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
What Drivers Pay in California
$316–$620/mo
Typical monthly rate in California, drivers with an SR-22 after a DUI
Rate data: ValuePenguin and NerdWallet, 2026
What Affects Your Rate
- Conviction date to reinstatement delay impacts total cost because the three-year SR-22 period starts at conviction, meaning delayed reinstatement extends the calendar time you pay SR-22 rates without being able to drive.
Find an Insurer That Will File After a DUI
Get SR-22 Coverage After a DUIIf your license is suspended
Restricted driver license
A restricted license is available while suspended.
A coverage lapse is reported
The state can act when your insurance lapses.
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I need SR-22 in California after a DUI?
California requires SR-22 filing for three years after DUI conviction, measured from the conviction date — not the date you reinstate your license. If you are convicted January 2026 but do not reinstate until July 2026, the SR-22 period still ends January 2029. Delaying reinstatement does not extend the end date, but any lapse in coverage during the filing window restarts the entire three-year period from the lapse date.
What happens if my SR-22 insurance lapses in California?
If your SR-22 policy lapses for any reason — non-payment, cancellation, switching carriers without overlap — your insurer notifies the California Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days and your license is suspended immediately. Reinstatement after SR-22 lapse requires paying a reinstatement fee, purchasing a new SR-22 policy, and restarting the entire three-year filing period from the lapse date, not from the original conviction date.
Does California SR-22 requirement transfer if I move to another state?
California's three-year SR-22 requirement follows you if you move to another state — the new state's DMV verifies California's filing requirement through the National Driver Register and imposes it under their own rules. Some states require FR-44 instead of SR-22 (Florida and Virginia), which has higher minimum limits and cannot be satisfied by a California SR-22 filing. Moving mid-filing-period requires coordinating with your carrier to transfer the SR-22 to the new state without coverage lapse.
Coverage Types
SR-22 Insurance
Electronic filing your carrier submits to the California DMV proving you maintain continuous liability coverage. Required for three years starting conviction date.
Non-Owner SR-22
SR-22 policy for drivers who do not own a vehicle but need to maintain filing to satisfy DUI reinstatement or comply with court order during license suspension.
Liability Insurance
Covers injury and property damage you cause to others. California requires 15/30/5 minimums, but post-DUI drivers face elevated lawsuit risk making higher limits a financial necessity.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Pays your medical bills and repairs when hit by a driver with no insurance. Not required in California but automatically added unless you reject it in writing.