FR-44 Insurance in Florida: Requirements and How to Get It
Florida requires an FR-44 after a DUI conviction, with liability limits of 100/300/50, far above the state's normal minimums. Here is who needs it, how long it lasts and how to get it.
If you were convicted of DUI in Florida, the state will not reinstate your driving privilege until your insurer files an FR-44. It works like the better-known SR-22, but it comes with liability limits many times higher than what Florida normally requires. That makes it one of the most demanding proof-of-insurance requirements in the country.
What an FR-44 is
An FR-44 is a certificate of financial responsibility. Your insurance company completes it and files it with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to certify that you carry the required liability coverage. As with an SR-22, you don't buy the FR-44 by itself. You buy an auto policy with the required limits, and the insurer attaches the filing.
Florida isn't the only state with this form. Virginia also uses an FR-44 for certain alcohol-related offenses, with its own limits and rules.
Who needs an FR-44 in Florida
According to FLHSMV, drivers convicted of DUI after October 1, 2007 must obtain an FR-44 to reinstate their driving privilege. The requirement is tied to the conviction, so it applies whether or not you were involved in a crash.
Drivers convicted on or before October 1, 2007 fall under older rules. FLHSMV materials say they must show lower limits ($10,000 per person, $20,000 per occurrence and $10,000 of property damage) and may still need an SR-22 instead of an FR-44.
FR-44 coverage limits vs. Florida's normal minimum
| Coverage | Florida's normal minimum | FR-44 requirement (DUI after Oct. 1, 2007) |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability, per person | Not required | $100,000 |
| Bodily injury liability, per accident | Not required | $300,000 |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | $10,000 | $10,000 (still required) |
| Combined single limit alternative | - | $350,000 |
FR-44 limits from FLHSMV, citing section 324.023, Florida Statutes. Florida's normal minimums still include PIP: bills to repeal it died in committee in the 2026 session (Insurance Journal, May 2026).
In everyday terms, a Florida driver with a clean record can legally drive with no bodily injury coverage at all. After a DUI conviction, that same driver must carry enough coverage to pay up to $300,000 for injuries they cause in a single crash.
How long you need the FR-44
FLHSMV's DUI FAQ says you must keep the FR-44 for three years from the date your driving privilege is reinstated. An older FLHSMV procedures manual describes the period as three years from the original suspension date, so if your dates are close, confirm your exact end date with FLHSMV.
Because the period runs from reinstatement, delaying reinstatement also delays the end of the requirement. During those three years the coverage must stay active without a gap. If it lapses, your insurer will notify the state. Read what happens when a filing lapses.
Reinstatement fees
FLHSMV materials say that if you did not carry the required liability limits at the time of the alcohol-related offense, you will owe a reinstatement fee of $150, $250 or $500, depending on your history. That is separate from court fines, DUI school costs and any ignition interlock requirements.
How to get an FR-44, step by step
- Confirm your requirement with FLHSMV. Check your conviction date, the required limits and any other conditions for reinstatement.
- Request quotes for "FR-44 limits of 100/300/50." Not every insurer files FR-44s, so ask specifically. If you don't own a car, ask for a non-owner policy with an FR-44 filing.
- Choose your coverage. The FR-44 sets minimum liability limits. If you have a car loan, your lender will also require collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Buy the policy and have the insurer file the FR-44. Keep proof that it was filed.
- Complete the rest of your reinstatement. Pay fees and finish any required courses or interlock steps before you drive.
- Keep the policy active for the full three years and confirm the end date with FLHSMV before canceling.
What FR-44 insurance costs
Expect to pay considerably more than for standard minimum coverage. You need bodily injury limits that a clean-record Florida driver isn't required to carry at all, and a DUI conviction makes most insurers price you as a higher risk. Prices vary widely between insurers for drivers with a DUI, so comparing several quotes matters. For a breakdown of filing fees, premiums and state fees, see how much SR-22 insurance costs, since the same cost drivers apply to the FR-44.
FR-44 vs. SR-22 at a glance
| SR-22 | FR-44 (Florida) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Insurer's certificate of financial responsibility | Insurer's certificate of financial responsibility |
| Common triggers | Driving uninsured, license suspensions, accident judgments; DUI in many states | DUI conviction (after Oct. 1, 2007) |
| Coverage it certifies | Usually the state's minimum liability limits | 100/300/50 or a $350,000 combined single limit |
| Typical duration | 2 to 3 years, depending on the state | 3 years from reinstatement |
For a general explanation of the SR-22, read what an SR-22 is and how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Is an FR-44 the same as an SR-22?
Both are certificates your insurer files with the state to prove you carry insurance. The difference is the coverage required: an FR-44 requires much higher liability limits. In Florida, the FR-44 is tied to DUI convictions, while the SR-22 is used for other situations.
Can I get a non-owner FR-44?
Some insurers offer non-owner policies with an FR-44 filing for drivers who don't own a car. Availability varies by insurer, so ask specifically for a non-owner policy with an FR-44 when you request quotes.
Is Florida's PIP requirement going away?
Not as of the 2026 legislative session. Bills to repeal Florida's no-fault (PIP) system died in committee in 2026, so PIP is still required. Check the Florida Legislature or FLHSMV for any later changes.
Do I need an FR-44 for a DUI from before October 2007?
FLHSMV materials say drivers convicted on or before October 1, 2007 face lower limits and may still require an SR-22 instead. If your conviction is that old, confirm the requirement with FLHSMV.
Sources
- DUI Frequently Asked Questions, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Bulletin on FR-44 requirements for DUI convictions, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Procedures Manual for Implementation of the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Did you hear that Florida's 55-year-old no-fault auto insurance statute has been repealed? (May 5, 2026), Insurance Journal
Sources were checked on October 14, 2026. Laws, fees and prices change; always confirm with your state agency or insurer.