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South Dakota may require you to file an SR-22 form with the state if you want to reinstate your revoked driver’s license. While having an SR-22 on your auto policy won’t directly increase your premiums, traffic violations or driving offenses will likely cause your insurer to raise your costs to offset your higher risk.
Getting an SR-22 in South Dakota can be a complicated process, so here’s what you need to know about it.
Quick Facts
SR-22 insurance isn’t actually insurance. It’s a form you file with the state to prove that you meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements.
Drivers must keep SR-22 insurance for three years from the date of their conviction to reinstate their license.[1]
Even if you don’t own a car, you may need to file a nonowner SR-22 form to reinstate your license.
What is SR-22 insurance in South Dakota, and when do you need it?
Many people refer to SR-22 as insurance, but it’s actually a form your insurance company files with South Dakota to prove that you have the minimum insurance requirements.
The state may require you to file an SR-22 form to reinstate your license after a DUI, reckless driving, or driving without insurance offense.
If South Dakota requires you to file an SR-22, it’s important to take it seriously, according to John Espenschied, Insurance Brokers Group owner.
“First, if you do not get an SR-22, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked. Second, if you are involved in an accident and you do not have an SR-22, you may be personally liable for any damages that are caused,” Espenschied says.
South Dakota may suspend your license for a number of violations, including:[1]
Drug conviction in a vehicle
A conviction for driving while under the influence
Alcohol conviction in a vehicle by a minor
Refusing drug and alcohol testing
Driving after a court order not to drive
Driving while license is suspended, canceled, revoked, or disqualified
Giving false information when you apply for a driver’s license or non-driver ID card
Using a motor vehicle to commit a felony or causing the death of someone in a vehicle accident
Having too many points on your driving record
Failure to maintain proof of auto insurance
Unpaid child support
Unpaid debt owed to the state of South Dakota
Not every conviction will necessarily require an SR-22 for reinstatement. But if you have multiple convictions of failure to provide proof of insurance, there’s a good chance the state will require an SR-22.
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How can you get an SR-22 in South Dakota?
If South Dakota requires you to add an SR-22 to your insurance policy, simply contact your insurance company. Explain you need an SR-22 to update your policy, and your insurer will file the form on your behalf.
However, not all insurance companies will work with you if you need to file an SR-22. Your insurer may not work with motorists who need SR-22 forms, or it may not renew your policy at the end of the policy’s term. If that happens, you need to shop around for a new policy and find an insurer that will provide you coverage.
How long is an SR-22 required in South Dakota?
South Dakota requires you to maintain continuous coverage with an SR-22 on file for three years from the date of your conviction. Failure to maintain proof of financial responsibility is a Class 2 misdemeanor, which could result in 30 days imprisonment in a county jail, a $100 fine, or both. The state may also suspend your driver’s license, registration, and plates if you don’t maintain this proof of responsibility.[1]
How much is an SR-22 in South Dakota?
In South Dakota, insurance companies tend to charge a filing fee for SR-22s. While the cost depends on the insurer, it’s typically between $15 and $35.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in South Dakota
SR-insurance in South Dakota costs an average of $207 a month, according to Insurify data. But your actual premiums depend on various factors like your age, driving history, vehicle, location, and the insurance company you buy a policy from.[2] For instance, an insurance premium with Dairyland costs $176 a month, on average.
Cheapest insurance companies in South Dakota with SR-22 by city
Where you live affects your car insurance premiums, and your price may vary by city. For example, average premiums with Dairyland cost 87% more in Sioux Falls than in Rapid City. And CSAA has higher average premiums in Sioux Falls, at $359 a month, compared to Dairyland’s average premium of $247 a month.
Below are a few auto insurance companies in popular cities in South Dakota and their average monthly costs for liability-only coverage for drivers with an SR-22, sorted by the cheapest insurer.
City
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Rapid City
Dairyland
$132
Sioux Falls
Dairyland
$247
Sioux Falls
CSAA
$359
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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How an SR-22 affects driving record and future rates in South Dakota
It’s likely you’ll see your premiums increase when you file an SR-22. Predicting how high is difficult, but the average monthly premium that drivers with SR-22 insurance in South Dakota pay is $207. The average monthly premium for drivers in South Dakota is $208 a month.
The numbers may look surprising, but remember that these are averages. If you need an SR-22 and want full coverage, you might pay more than $207 a month. If you don’t have an SR-22 and you only want liability coverage, you may pay less than $207 a month.[2]
While high-risk drivers generally have higher premiums than drivers who have clean driving records, you can improve your driving record and lower your insurance rates while under an SR-22 requirement:[3]
Improve your credit score. Insurance companies in South Dakota can use your credit score to predict your likelihood of filing a claim in the future.[4] The higher your credit score, the lower your insurance premiums often are.
Ask your insurer about discounts. Your car may have certain safety features that’ll earn you a discount, or you can bundle your auto insurance with your homeowners insurance and bring down the price of both policies.
Take a defensive driving course. Some insurers will lower your premiums if you take an approved defensive driving class.
Drive safely. Practice safe driving habits and avoid further convictions to gradually improve your record. Your insurance rates will drop as negative marks slide off your record.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in South Dakota?
You have to have an SR-22 on file with South Dakota for three years.[1]
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in South Dakota?
The only thing that’ll remove an SR-22 in South Dakota is waiting for the three years to elapse. You may receive a notice from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety once your SR-22 has elapsed. But if you don’t, and it’s been three years, check with the DPS to see if you can drop your SR-22. If so, you can tell your insurer to remove the form from your policy.
What happens to your SR-22 in South Dakota if you move?
You should discuss this with your insurer, but you’ll probably have to keep an SR-22 on file with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. You may also have to file a new SR-22 policy with your new state.
Do you need an SR-22 in South Dakota if you don’t have a car?
Yes, in most cases. If you drive a car in South Dakota, you need to have proof of financial responsibility.[5] If South Dakota informs you that you need an SR-22, then you need to file an SR-22 even if you don’t have a car — provided you plan on keeping your driver’s license current and driving any vehicle. If you don’t plan to drive again, you may not need an SR-22, but you should check with the state to verify.
South Dakota Division of Insurance Consumer Information. "Automobile Insurance." Accessed May 25, 2023
Geoff Williams
Geoff Williams is a freelance journalist who has written personal finance articles for most of his career and for numerous publications, including U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Bankrate, CNNMoney.com and Forbes.com. He is also the author of several books, including “C.C. Pyle’s Amazing Foot Race” and “Washed Away,” and writes a classic TV blog called “The TV Professor.”
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
