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 Ohio, an SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that is required for certain drivers to prove that they carry the state's required minimum amount of vehicle liability insurance. This certificate is necessary for individuals who have had their driving privileges suspended or revoked due to certain traffic violations, such as a DUI/DWI. The SR-22 is not an insurance policy itself, but rather a document provided by an insurance company that verifies the driver has the appropriate coverage. Insurance providers are responsible for filing the SR-22 with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). If the insurance policy associated with an SR-22 is cancelled, terminated, or lapses, the insurance company is required to notify the BMV. This notification could lead to a suspension of the driver's license if the SR-22 is still required. Drivers may need to maintain an SR-22 for a set period, typically three years, to have their driving privileges fully reinstated or to obtain an occupational or restricted license.