Can you get car insurance with a bad driving record in Texas?
Yes. A bad driving record narrows your carrier options and raises your rate, but it does not lock you out of coverage. Standard carriers may decline you or surcharge heavily; non-standard carriers price for exactly this situation. A-LA compares 35+ Texas carriers — including high-risk specialists — so liability starts at $28/month even after tickets, at-fault accidents, a DUI, or a lapse. Same-day, bilingual, at 16 DFW offices.
How much a bad record raises your Texas rate
Insurers price your risk from your Texas DPS driving record, and the size of the surcharge depends heavily on the violation. Based on A-LA’s Texas bind data, here is how the most common serious violations typically move a premium:
| Violation | Typical rate increase | SR-22 required? |
|---|---|---|
| First-offense DUI / DWI | +80–120% | Yes |
| Multiple at-fault accidents | +60–100% | Sometimes |
| Driving uninsured | +20–40% | Yes |
| Reckless driving | +50–80% | Yes |
| Hit-and-run | +100–200% | Yes |
A single minor speeding ticket has a much smaller effect than the violations above and is often absorbed with little or no increase at a non-standard carrier. Texas ended its Driver Responsibility Program (the old state surcharge system) in 2019, so the state no longer bills annual surcharge fees — but your insurer still rates the underlying record.
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How long a violation affects your Texas rate
Most moving violations affect your Texas insurance rate for about 3 years from the conviction date, after which standard carriers may reconsider you for better rates. A violation can stay on your motor vehicle record longer than it actually affects your premium. DUI convictions are more serious — they can affect your insurance for 3–5 years and may require continuous SR-22 filing for up to 2 years under Texas law. The fastest way back to lower rates is continuous coverage with no new violations while that window runs out.
A-LA tracks those record milestones for you and proactively re-shops your rate across 35+ carriers at each renewal, so you move back toward standard pricing as soon as your history allows instead of overpaying for years.
When a bad record means an SR-22
An SR-22 is not triggered by every violation — only specific ones, such as a DUI/DWI, driving uninsured, driving while license suspended, or a court order. Many drivers with a rough record (several speeding tickets, for example) need no SR-22 at all. When one is required, A-LA files it electronically the same day, and the SR-22 filing fee your carrier charges is just $15–$25 per filing — Texas DPS charges no fee to receive the filing. See our Texas SR-22 insurance and high-risk auto insurance pages for the full breakdown.
How to get covered — and lower it over time
- Use a non-standard carrier through A-LA that prices your full record instead of declining you.
- Keep continuous coverage — a lapse is itself a surcharge and can trigger an SR-22.
- Wait out the 3-year window on moving violations with no new incidents.
- Take a state-approved defensive driving course to offset an eligible ticket.
- Choose liability-only ($28/month floor) on an older car to keep the base rate low.
- Let A-LA re-shop 35+ carriers at every renewal as your record improves.
Bad record? We still say yes.
A-LA specializes in high-risk drivers. Get a same-day, bilingual quote across 35+ Texas carriers — liability from $28/month at 16 DFW offices.
Call (866) 252-6116Bad-driving-record insurance FAQ
Licensed Insurance Agent, Texas
Published · Updated
Ray is a licensed insurance agent at A-LA Auto Insurance, a Texas-licensed independent agency with 16 offices across Dallas-Fort Worth. With 5+ years of experience in the non-standard auto insurance market, he specializes in SR-22 filings, high-risk auto, DUI insurance, no-credit-check options, and coverage for drivers without a US license. Ray works with 35+ carriers to find the lowest available rate. Call (866) 252-6116 to speak with the team directly.
Licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance. A-LA Auto Insurance is an independent agency serving DFW since 2021. For personalized advice, call (866) 252-6116.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized insurance advice. Coverage options, terms, and pricing vary by individual circumstances. Contact a licensed agent for specific recommendations. A-LA Auto Insurance is licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance.