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 New Jersey, an SR-22 is not used; instead, the state utilizes an equivalent called the SR-21 form. The SR-21 is a certification of insurance that proves a driver carries the state-required minimum amount of liability insurance coverage. This form is typically required for drivers who have had their licenses suspended due to serious traffic violations, such as DUI/DWI offenses. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) may require the submission of an SR-21 form as a condition for reinstating a suspended driver's license or for issuing a restricted license. Insurance providers in New Jersey will file the SR-21 form with the MVC on behalf of the policyholder. If the insurance policy is canceled, terminated, or lapses, the insurance company is obligated to notify the MVC, which may result in further suspension of driving privileges.