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 Washington State, an SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility required for certain drivers to prove that they carry the minimum amount of vehicle liability insurance required by law. This certificate is necessary for individuals who have had their driving privileges suspended or revoked due to certain offenses, such as a DUI/DWI. The SR-22 is not an insurance policy itself, but rather a document provided by an insurance company that verifies the driver has the appropriate coverage. Insurance providers are obligated to inform the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) if an SR-22 is cancelled, terminated, or lapses. Drivers may be required to maintain an SR-22 for a set period, typically three years, and failure to keep the SR-22 current can result in the suspension of driving privileges. The requirement to file an SR-22 is a way for the state to ensure that high-risk drivers maintain continuous insurance coverage.