Texas SR-22 vs. FR-44: Cost & Coverage Breakdown
Texas does not use FR-44. Texas DPS recognizes only SR-22 for financial responsibility filings — there is no FR-44 in Texas, no FR-44 equivalent, and no Texas DUI/DWI scenario that requires FR-44. FR-44 is a state-specific certificate used exclusively in Florida and Virginia for DUI convictions, typically requiring 100/300/50 liability coverage versus Texas SR-22's 30/60/25 minimum under Texas Transportation Code §601.072.
At A-LA Auto Insurance, Texas SR-22 costs $28-$210 per month depending on owner vs. non-owner, trigger event, and ZIP. DUI/DWI-triggered Texas SR-22 runs $110-$210 per month at state-minimum 30/60/25 — significantly cheaper than equivalent FR-44 in Florida or Virginia where the 100/300/50 minimum drives much higher premiums.
Texas drivers with significant assets sometimes voluntarily buy 100/300/50 liability with their SR-22 for personal protection — at A-LA this adds $25-$85 per month on top of base SR-22, but it is not required by Texas statute. See Texas SR-22 monthly cost.
Why Texas Doesn't Use FR-44
Texas chose not to adopt the FR-44 framework when Florida and Virginia introduced it. Texas DWI/DUI policy under Texas Transportation Code §601.072 keeps DWI-convicted drivers on the same statutory minimum (30/60/25) as any other Texas driver — the elevated risk is priced into the premium by carriers rather than mandated as elevated coverage by statute. Five reasons this matters for Texas drivers:
- Lower minimum cost — Texas DWI SR-22 floor is significantly cheaper than FR-44 floors in FL/VA at 100/300/50.
- Driver choice on limits — Texas drivers can voluntarily buy higher limits for asset protection if desired.
- Same Form SR-22 — DWI SR-22 in Texas uses the same certificate as ticket-only SR-22.
- Same 2-year clock — Texas SR-22 obligation runs 2 years regardless of trigger event (most cases).
- Same electronic filing — DWI SR-22 filed identically to non-DWI SR-22 with Texas DPS.
SR-22 vs FR-44 by State (2026 Comparison)
The table below summarizes how Texas SR-22 compares against FR-44 states and other SR-22 states:
| State | Certificate | Liability Min | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | SR-22 | 30/60/25 | Tex. Transp. Code §601.072 |
| Florida | FR-44 | 100/300/50 | DUI convictions in Florida |
| Virginia | FR-44 | 100/300/50 | DUI convictions in Virginia |
| California | SR-22 | 15/30/5 | Standard SR-22 like Texas |
| New York | SR-22 not used | 25/50/10 | NY uses other proof of insurance |
| Oklahoma | SR-22 | 25/50/25 | Standard SR-22 like Texas |
State liability minimums and certificate requirements as of 2026. Confirm current rules directly with each state's DMV or DPS.
Texas SR-22 vs. FR-44 Side-by-Side
Detailed comparison of Texas SR-22 against FR-44 used in Florida and Virginia:
| Feature | Texas SR-22 | FR-44 (FL/VA only) |
|---|---|---|
| Used in Texas? | Yes — Texas standard | No — not used in Texas |
| States where used | Most states including Texas | Florida and Virginia only |
| Required liability minimum | 30/60/25 in Texas | 100/300/50 typical (FL/VA) |
| Texas statute reference | Tex. Transp. Code §601.072 | Not applicable in Texas |
| Typical trigger | DWI, repeat violations, lapses | DUI in FL/VA only |
| Typical monthly cost at A-LA | $28-$210/mo | N/A in Texas |
| Filing process | Electronic with Texas DPS | Electronic with FL/VA DMV |
| Mandatory period | 2 years (Texas) | 3 years (FL/VA) |
How A-LA Helps Texas SR-22 Drivers
A-LA Auto Insurance writes Texas SR-22 daily across 14 DFW office locations. Every office files Form SR-22 electronically with the Texas Department of Public Safety within 30 minutes of policy bind — same-day filing on every SR-22 policy. A-LA shops every SR-22 across 35+ carriers including specialty insurers like Bluefire, American Access Casualty, Anchor General, and Bristol West that underwrite high-risk Texas drivers (including DWI-triggered SR-22) competitively.
For drivers without a vehicle, A-LA writes non-owner SR-22 starting at $28/month. Owner SR-22 typically runs $75-$210/month depending on trigger event and ZIP. See SR-22 insurance overview, Dallas SR-22, or Texas non-owner SR-22.
Texas Statutory Compliance: Why Texas Uses SR-22 Only
Texas Transportation Code §601.072 establishes the state's 30/60/25 liability minimum as the financial responsibility floor for all Texas drivers, regardless of trigger event. There is no Texas statutory provision creating an elevated FR-44-style certificate — the Texas Legislature chose to keep the financial responsibility framework uniform and to let carrier pricing absorb the elevated risk of DWI/DUI drivers rather than mandating elevated coverage limits.
Texas DPS handles all SR-22 filings electronically through the state's TexasSure verification feed. Carriers must notify DPS via Form SR-26 within 10 days of any cancellation, non-renewal, or lapse under Texas Transportation Code §601.231. Most Texas SR-22 obligations run 2 years from the conviction date — longer for repeat DWI offenders or CDL holders. A-LA Auto Insurance is a Texas Department of Insurance regulated agency (TDI License #3107286). See the Texas SR-22 guide and Texas DWI insurance guide 2026.