SR-22 Insurance in South Dakota
When South Dakota requires an SR-22 (or similar) certificate of insurance, how long you must keep it, and what happens if it lapses.
Short answer: A person convicted of driving without financial responsibility (and certain other offenses), or who fails to pay a crash judgment, must file proof of financial responsibility for the future (for example, an insurer's certificate) covering at least 25/50/25. S.D. Codified Laws §§ 32-35-2, 32-35-43, 32-35-47, 32-35-80
| SR-22 filing | A person convicted of driving without financial responsibility (and certain other offenses), or who fails to pay a crash judgment, must file proof of financial responsibility for the future (for example, an insurer's certificate) covering at least 25/50/25. The license and registrations stay suspended until the person gives and then maintains this proof. An insurer that certified a policy must notify the Department of Public Safety within 15 days after it is canceled or terminated. The sections read do not state how long the future proof must be maintained. |
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| Driving without insurance | Failing to maintain financial responsibility is a Class 2 misdemeanor. A judge must also suspend the driver's license for at least 30 days and up to one year, and must restrict driving during that time to listed purposes (such as work, child care, health appointments, school, court, probation and treatment). Before driving under the restriction, the person must establish financial responsibility and keep it for the restriction period. |
More South Dakota car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in South Dakota
- Driving Without Insurance in South Dakota
- When a Car Is a Total Loss in South Dakota
- Transferring a Car Title in South Dakota
- All South Dakota car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
When do you need an SR-22 in South Dakota, and for how long?
A person convicted of driving without financial responsibility (and certain other offenses), or who fails to pay a crash judgment, must file proof of financial responsibility for the future (for example, an insurer's certificate) covering at least 25/50/25. The license and registrations stay suspended until the person gives and then maintains this proof. An insurer that certified a policy must notify the Department of Public Safety within 15 days after it is canceled or terminated.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in South Dakota?
Failing to maintain financial responsibility is a Class 2 misdemeanor. A judge must also suspend the driver's license for at least 30 days and up to one year, and must restrict driving during that time to listed purposes (such as work, child care, health appointments, school, court, probation and treatment). Before driving under the restriction, the person must establish financial responsibility and keep it for the restriction period.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.