An SR-22 is a document or form required as proof of financial responsibility by the court or under state law for persons convicted of certain traffic violations. It will depend on state laws the reason for the SR-22, certificate of financial responsibility, is needed. For many states it is needed to reinstate a driver's license, especially if the suspension was for driving without insurance.

Definition of an SR-22 from the Car Insurance Learning Center: SR-22 is a form which must be filed by the insurance company stating that auto liability insurance is in effect for a particular individual. This form is normally required when insurance is provided to an individual who was in an accident or was convicted of a traffic offense and was unable to show financial responsibility. Again each state has different variations of this form and requirements.

The SR-22A is similar to an SR22 but only used is a few states. This form is used in Georgia, Texas and Missouri. In Georgia and Texas the SR22A is a type of certificate normally used for repeat violators of financial responsibility laws. These two states required that policies with a SR22a attached to it must be paid in full for a 6 month term. MO calls the SR-22 a certification of liability insurance and the SR-22A a certificate of liability insurance.

In Georgia, the SR-22A is a term used in Georgia for a GA Responsibility Insurance Certificate; it is similar to a SR-22, except it has further restrictions or is needed under specific circumstance. This financial responsibility filing can be required of a motorist in the state of Georgia if the individual has been convicted of operating a vehicle without liability insurance or other certain traffic infractions. In Georgia, it is usually required for an unsatisfied judgment (SR22A).

For example, if you are trying to reinstate your Georgia license after a suspension due to a second or subsequent conviction of no proof of insurance (unsatisfied judgment) an SR-22A must be filed and maintained for 3 years from the date of the conviction. An insurance company must certify that you have in effect a valid liability insurance policy covering the required time span; said certification should be filed on the SR-22A form.

Both the SR-22 and SR-22A are discussed under Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Part 1, Chapter 25, Rule 25.6. Subsection e of this law states that if the SR-22 (insurance certificate) is required as the result of a security deposit in an accident or default case, it must be accompanied by form SR-22A (certification of a 6 month prepaid liability policy).