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Ohio DUI SR-22 Insurance After Conviction

Ohio requires 25/50/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.

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Ohio at a Glance

25/50/25

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

$40

State license reinstatement fee

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Ohio

Ohio is a tort state — the at-fault driver's insurance pays for injuries and property damage in an accident. After a DUI conviction, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles requires SR-22 filing before license reinstatement and for 3 years after the reinstatement date. Your insurer must notify the BMV electronically within 24 hours of purchase. If your policy lapses or cancels during the filing period, your carrier notifies the BMV and your license is suspended immediately.

Bodily Injury Liability

Pays medical bills, lost wages, and legal fees when you injure someone in an accident you caused. DUI drivers already carry elevated liability risk; buying only the state minimum creates uninsured exposure after a second accident.

Property Damage Liability

Pays to repair or replace the other driver's vehicle and damaged property when you cause an accident. If you total a vehicle worth more than your limit, you pay the difference out of pocket, and the injured party can sue for the gap.

SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility

The SR-22 is not insurance — it is an electronic filing your insurer submits to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles proving you carry at least state-minimum coverage. The BMV requires SR-22 after DUI conviction, refusal of chemical testing, repeat violations, or driving without insurance. If your policy lapses for any reason during the 3-year filing period, the BMV suspends your license the same day your carrier files the cancellation notice.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Covers your injuries when an uninsured or hit-and-run driver causes an accident. Because DUI drivers are already in the high-risk pool, you are statistically more likely to share the road with uninsured drivers. Declining this coverage in writing at policy inception is permanent — you cannot add it mid-term.

What Drivers Pay in Ohio

$246–$268/mo

Typical monthly rate in Ohio, drivers with an SR-22 after a DUI

Rate data: ValuePenguin and NerdWallet, 2026

What Affects Your Rate

  • Conviction class drives rate tiers — first-offense standard DUI typically qualifies for Tier 2 non-standard pricing, while aggravated DUI with injury or high BAC pushes drivers into Tier 3 or assigned-risk pricing.
  • Ohio assigns 6 BMV points for DUI conviction, which remain on your record for 2 years and compound with any other moving violations during the SR-22 filing period.
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Find an Insurer That Will File After a DUI

Get SR-22 Coverage After a DUI

If your license is suspended

Limited Driving Privileges

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 does SR-22 filing last after a DUI in Ohio?

Ohio requires SR-22 filing for 3 years after a DUI conviction, measured from the license reinstatement date, not the conviction date. If your policy lapses at any point during those 3 years, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles suspends your license immediately and the 3-year clock resets when you file a new SR-22 and pay the reinstatement fee.

Which insurance carriers file SR-22 in Ohio after a DUI?

Most mainstream carriers like State Farm, Geico, and Progressive will file SR-22 for existing customers but typically non-renew at the end of the policy term. New DUI SR-22 policies generally require non-standard carriers like Bristol West, Dairyland, The General, or Safe Auto, which specialize in high-risk drivers and operate throughout Ohio.

Does Ohio require SR-22 for first-offense DUI?

Yes — the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles requires SR-22 filing for all DUI convictions, including first-offense standard DUI. The filing period is 3 years from the license reinstatement date, and you cannot regain driving privileges without proof of SR-22 on file with the BMV.

Can I transfer my Ohio SR-22 if I move to another state?

No — SR-22 filing requirements are state-specific and do not transfer. If you move out of Ohio before your 3-year filing period ends, you must contact the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to confirm whether the filing obligation continues or terminates, and your new state may impose its own SR-22 or FR-44 requirement depending on interstate license compact rules.

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