A Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) is proof or verification the holder is maintaining vehicle liability insurance in the required amounts. It is not a type of insurance—it is a form filed with the state’s department of public safety (DPS), department of transportation (DOT), or department of motor vehicles (DMV) and may also be referred to as an SR-22 Bond or SR-22 Form.

An SR-22 can be issued by most insurance providers, who will notify the state’s department of public safety or department of motor vehicles when an SR-22 is cancelled, terminated, or lapses.

The state will often require a driver whose license has been suspended following an arrest for DUI/DWI to provide an SR-22 in order to get their occupational or restricted license or to have their driver’s license reinstated.

In Maryland, an SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that is required for certain drivers to prove that they have the minimum amount of vehicle liability insurance required by law. This certificate is not an insurance policy but a form that an insurance company files with the state's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to provide proof of insurance for high-risk drivers. Typically, drivers may be required to file an SR-22 if they have had their license suspended or revoked due to serious traffic offenses such as DUI/DWI, driving without insurance, or other major violations. The SR-22 form ensures that these drivers maintain continuous insurance coverage as required by the state. If the SR-22 is cancelled, terminated, or lapses, the insurance provider is obligated to notify the MVA, which could result in further suspension of driving privileges. Drivers who are required to maintain an SR-22 will usually have to do so for a period of time determined by the state, such as three years, and failure to comply can lead to reinstatement issues or additional penalties.