Virginia SR-22 & FR-44 Insurance
Virginia sets liability minimums of 50/100/25 for policies effective from 1 January 2025, above the 25/50/25 most states use, held for three years. If the conviction was a DUI, Virginia uses the FR-44 instead, and DMV sets its limits at double the SR-22 figures. More cover costs more to carry, so the same record prices higher here than it would in a state at the minimum. Your carrier files the certificate with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Licensed in Virginia
- Same-day filing
- Non-owner policies
- Helping drivers since 2016
Understanding the SR-22 vs. FR-44 in Virginia
Virginia is one of the few states that utilizes two different certificates of financial responsibility. The SR-22 is for general high-risk violations like reckless driving or driving without insurance. The FR-44 is reserved specifically for alcohol or drug-related offenses and requires you to carry double or triple the state's standard liability minimums.
The "Lapse" Penalty
Virginia law is strict: if your policy cancels for even one day, your carrier must file an SR-26 Notice. This results in an immediate license suspension and may require you to RESTART your 3-year filing period from day one.
Who Needs to File in Virginia?
DUI / DWI (FR-44)
Any conviction involving driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Reckless Driving (SR-22)
Excessive speed or endangerment resulting in a license suspension.
Maiming (FR-44)
A conviction for maiming while under the influence (Va. Code § 18.2-51.4).
Uninsured Motorist
Driving without a valid policy or failing to pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee.
The Virginia Reinstatement Timeline
- 01
Check Status
Access the 'myDMV' online portal to view your compliance summary and confirm your eligibility date.
- 02
Secure Filing
Purchase a policy with the correct limits (50/100/25 for SR-22, or double that, 100/200/50, for FR-44). Your insurer will e-file the certificate to Richmond.
- 03
Pay Reinstatement Fees
Pay the mandatory fees (typically $145–$220) online or at a DMV Customer Service Center.
- 04
Status Valid
Once the certificate is logged and fees are processed, your status returns to 'Valid' in the state database.
Virginia against most states
How Virginia compares with the rest of the country.
| Requirement | Virginia | Most states |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum liability | 50/100/25 | 25/50/25 |
| Filing period | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Filing fee | ~$15 - $30 | ~$15 - $25 |
The Cost of Non-Compliance
Don't Own a Car in Virginia?
A non-owner Virginia SR-22 covers you as a driver of cars you do not own, and it satisfies the same three-year filing at the same 50/100/25 limits. Because it insures no vehicle, it typically costs less than standard coverage.
SR-22 in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and the rest of Virginia
The rule is the state's, so it reads the same in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, Newport News and Alexandria, and everywhere else in the state. There is no city filing, no city form and no city office that changes it. What changes between drivers is the premium, and that is set against your record rather than your address.
Virginia Filing FAQs
- How much is the filing fee in Virginia?
- Most insurance carriers charge a one-time fee of $15-$30 to electronically file the SR-22 or FR-44 with the Virginia DMV. This is separate from your monthly premium.
- Can I drive out of state with a Virginia SR-22?
- Yes. Your Virginia filing is valid nationwide. However, if you have an FR-44, you must maintain those high limits (100/200/50) even while driving in other states.
- What are the FR-44 liability limits?
- Virginia requires double the standard liability limits for FR-44s: $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 per accident, and $50,000 for property damage.
- Can I get a Non-Owner policy in Virginia?
- Yes, Virginia allows Non-Owner SR-22 and FR-44 filings. It is the most cost-effective way to restore your license if you do not own a vehicle.
- How do I remove the filing after 3 years?
- Once your 3-year mandate expires, contact the Virginia DMV to confirm the requirement is fulfilled. You can then instruct your insurer to remove the endorsement.
Questions that are the same in every state, like what happens when a policy lapses, are answered on the SR-22 FAQ. What an SR-22 actually is, and is not, is on the SR-22 explainer.
SR-22 rules in all 50 states
Requirements change at the state line. Virginia is marked; every other state is one tap away.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Prefer we call you?
Leave your number and a specialist licensed in your state will call you back. Nothing gets filed until you speak to someone, and until it is filed the state is still waiting on you.
Talk to a specialist now: 888-883-0858 · avg wait under 1 min
- One call compares multiple carriers
- Free quote, no obligation to take it
- Same-day DMV filing in most states
Compare 20+ Virginia Providers
Don't call carriers one by one. One call reaches an agent who compares high-risk specialists licensed in Virginia.