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Updated November 21, 2024
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Wyoming drivers with serious traffic violations on their record may have to file an SR-22 to reinstate their license after a suspension. An SR-22 isn’t insurance — it’s a document your insurance company files with the state as proof that you carry the minimum amount of auto insurance coverage to drive legally.
Here’s what you need to know about getting SR-22 insurance in the Equality State.
Drivers with an SR-22 in Wyoming must pay a $50 fee to reinstate their driving privileges.
Wyoming drivers must maintain an SR-22 for three years from the initial date it was required.
Canceling auto insurance or allowing it to lapse during the three-year SR-22 period may lead to Wyoming extending the driver’s license suspension.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Wyoming
The amount you pay for auto insurance premiums with an SR-22 in place can vary greatly, depending on your insurance company, your ZIP code, and the severity of the driving violation that prompted your need for an SR-22 certificate.
You should prepare to pay higher auto insurance premiums with an SR-22 in place than you would for standard car insurance. That’s because insurers consider people who need an SR-22 as high-risk drivers, which means more expensive auto insurance.
Wyoming drivers who need an SR-22 may be able to find the cheapest car insurance from the following insurance companies:
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Dairyland | $62 | $171 |
Safeco | $71 | $155 |
Bristol West | $94 | $254 |
Foremost | $140 | $430 |
What is SR-22 insurance in Wyoming?
The term “SR-22 insurance” is a misnomer since an SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy. An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that your auto insurance company files with the Wyoming Department of Transportation on your behalf. The SR-22 proves that you carry an auto insurance policy that meets the state-minimum requirements.
Wyoming only requires SR-22 certificates for drivers who’ve been convicted of serious driving offenses. If you’re found guilty of any of these types of violations, the Wyoming Department of Transportation may suspend your driver’s license.
In order to reinstate your driving privileges, you’ll need to file an SR-22 after completing the suspension period. In addition, you’ll also have to pay a reinstatement fee and may need to fulfill other requirements, depending on the nature of your driving violation.[1]
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
FR-44 forms sound similar to SR-22 filings, but they have a number of important differences. The FR-44 is specifically required for high-risk drivers who’ve been convicted of more serious violations, like driving under the influence or driving with a suspended license. In addition, the FR-44 also requires the driver to carry more than just the state-minimum requirements for auto insurance.
Wyoming doesn’t require FR-44 certificates. In the U.S., only Florida and Virginia require high-risk drivers to file this kind of paperwork to reinstate their driving privileges.
When you need SR-22 insurance
The state of Wyoming may require you to file an SR-22 if you’ve been convicted of a serious traffic offense, including the following:[2]
Driving while under the influence (DUI)
Reckless driving
Causing an accident while uninsured
Driving without liability insurance
Wyoming’s SR-22 requirements can differ depending on the severity and number of offenses. For instance, a driver’s first-offense DUI results in a 90-day suspension of driving privileges, as long as the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is less than .15%. But subsequent DUI convictions or first offenses with higher BAC levels require longer suspensions.
Any conviction that results in a suspension of driving privileges will require you to file an SR-22 with the state to reinstate your license.[3]
How to get SR-22 insurance in Wyoming
The process of getting an SR-22 in Wyoming starts after receiving a conviction for a serious traffic violation. The court that issued your conviction or the Wyoming DMV will notify you if you need to file an SR-22 with the state.
Here are the specific steps you’ll need to follow to get SR-22 coverage after a serious driving offense:
1. Call your insurance company
Drivers who already have insurance will need to notify their insurer about the traffic violation. You can request an SR-22 and ask how this will affect your premiums. If you have insurance with a traditional auto insurance company, your insurer may drop your coverage or raise your premiums.
2. Get or update your car insurance policy
If your current auto insurer doesn’t offer SR-22 forms, drops your coverage, or if you don’t currently have auto insurance, you’ll need to contact several car insurance companies and get an auto insurance quote from each one. Let the insurers know you need to file an SR-22.
3. Pay a filing fee
When your car insurance policy is in place, you’ll have to pay a $50 filing fee to the state of Wyoming to reinstate your driving privileges.
4. Your insurer will file on your behalf
Your car insurance company will electronically file the SR-22 form to the Wyoming Department of Transportation within 24–72 hours of your purchase of the policy.
5. Keep your insurance policy in good standing
Wyoming requires drivers with an SR-22 to keep the form on file for three years. This means you must maintain your insurance policy for the full three-year period, with no lapses.
How long Wyoming requires SR-22 insurance
Wyoming requires drivers to maintain an SR-22 form on file for three years from the date it was initially required. Your insurance company must notify the Department of Transportation if you cancel your policy or allow it to lapse during that three-year period. At the end of the period, the state may continue your driver’s license suspension if you don’t have an SR-22 on file.
In addition, Wyoming won’t allow you to reinstate your driving privileges after a suspension if you don’t have an SR-22 on file. You must turn the SR-22 form in before you ’re allowed to start driving again.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Wyoming
If the state of Wyoming requires you to file an SR-22, you can expect your auto insurance premiums to go up during the three years the SR-22 is on your record — and your rates may remain high even after the SR-22 requirement has expired. Despite the expiration of the state’s requirement for the SR-22, insurance companies may still regard you as a high-risk driver, which leads to higher rates.
That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with premium increases that never go down. The following strategies can help you improve your driving record, which could help you lower your insurance rates — even when you’re still required to file an SR-22 with the state:
Maintain the state minimum insurance requirements. Wyoming drivers must carry a minimum of $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability with a maximum of $50,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage. Carrying this minimum coverage without any lapses for the duration of your SR-22 requirement will help keep your premiums from increasing further.
Take a defensive driving course. Not only is learning driving skills a good idea, but a defensive driving course may also help improve your driving record and lower your future insurance costs.
Limit your driving. Spending less time on the road reduces your opportunities for getting into an accident. Also, your insurance company may give you a lower rate based on your reduced mileage.
Ask about discounts. You can typically lower your auto insurance rates with discounts. Ask your insurance agent for additional information about ways to get the lowest rate for your situation.
Wyoming SR-22 insurance FAQs
If you’re looking for affordable SR-22 coverage in Wyoming, the additional information below can help.
How do you know if you need an SR-22?
Either the court in which you were convicted of the traffic violation or the Wyoming Department of Transportation will notify you if you’re required to file an SR-22 form.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
Drivers must file an SR-22 form after a traffic violation that leads to the suspension of driving privileges. While there’s no specific SR-22 fee, you must pay a $50 reinstatement fee in Wyoming to resume driving privileges after the suspension period has passed and you’ve filed an SR-22.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing an SR-22?
The premium increase after an SR-22 will vary from one driver to another since so much depends on the driver’s specific violation, driving history, location, and insurer. But car insurance rates after filing an SR-22 are generally much higher than standard car insurance rates.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Wyoming?
If you live in Wyoming and are required to file an SR-22, you’ll need to maintain the SR-22 for three years. If you cancel your car insurance policy or allow your coverage to lapse before the end of the three years, the state may continue your driver’s license suspension.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Wyoming?
Wyoming doesn’t offer any path to getting rid of an SR-22 prior to the end of the three-year requirement. You must keep your SR-22 on file for as long as the court orders you to. Once the three-year period has expired, you can ask your insurer to remove the SR-22 filing from your car insurance policy.
What happens to your SR-22 in Wyoming if you move?
Until the three-year period has passed, your SR-22 filing in Wyoming will effectively transfer to your new home state. When you move out of state, you can file a non-resident proof of responsibility form with Wyoming, and the state will release you from your SR-22 requirement. But you may still need to pay Wyoming your $50 reinstatement fee.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Sources
- Wyoming Department of Transportation. "Frequently Asked Questions."
- Wyoming Department of Transportation. "Wyoming Rules of the Road."
- Wyoming Department of Transportation. "Driving Privilege Withdrawal."
Emily Guy Birken is a former educator, lifelong money nerd, and a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer who specializes in the scientific research behind irrational money behaviors. Her background in education allows her to make complex financial topics relatable and easily understood by the layperson.
Her work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Kiplinger's, MSN Money, and The Washington Post online.
She is the author of several books, including The 5 Years Before You Retire, End Financial Stress Now, and the brand new book Stacked: Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money Management, written with Joe Saul-Sehy.
Emily lives in Milwaukee with her family.
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in