Quick answer: Florida requires FR-44 insurance for three uninterrupted years after a DUI conviction, starting from your reinstatement date — not your conviction date. Minimum limits are 100/300/50, coverage must stay continuous with zero gaps, and since October 2023, FR-44 policies can be cancelled for non-payment, which makes that continuity more important than ever.
I answer FR-44 questions every single day — usually from someone who just found out they need one and has no idea where to start. So I put together the questions that come up most often, answered the same way I’d answer them if you were sitting across from me.
If you’re brand new to all of this the first thing you might ask is can I get car insurance after Florida a DUI. Yes you can. And if want the fuller picture before diving into specifics, it’s worth starting with my complete guide, What Is Florida FR-44 Insurance? — it walks through what the filing actually is, why Florida requires it, and how the whole process fits together. Consider this article the shorter, faster version: the answers you need right now, without the full explanation behind each one.
When Did Florida Start Requiring FR-44 Insurance, and What Are the Coverage Limits?
Florida has required it since October 1, 2007. If you’ve been convicted of a DUI, the state requires higher liability limits than a standard policy:
- $100,000 Bodily Injury Liability per person
- $300,000 Bodily Injury Liability per accident
- $50,000 Property Damage Liability
A combined single limit of $300,000 also satisfies the requirement. And it has to come from a Florida policy — either a standard auto policy adjusted to meet those limits, or a non-owner policy if you don’t have a vehicle. One thing that trips people up: policies covering anything with fewer than four wheels won’t qualify, since those don’t carry Personal Injury Protection.
Most drivers handle this by adding the FR-44 filing to an existing policy once it’s adjusted to the right limits. For younger drivers, joining a parent’s policy as an additional driver is sometimes the more affordable route.
Does Every DUI Conviction Require an FR-44? How Long Does it Last?
Yes, for convictions since November 1, 2014 — every one of them requires an FR-44, and it has to stay in place for three years from the date your license is reinstated. Not three years from your conviction. Three years of continuous coverage starting at reinstatement.
If your DUI happened before November 2014, the rules are a little different — proof of coverage at the time of the offense may substitute for the FR-44 requirement. Otherwise, the standard three-year rule applies.
One detail I make sure every client understands: the state notifies you when the FR-44 is no longer required, not your insurance company. It’s on you to actually remove it once you’re eligible. I’ve written more about how that timeline works in my article on how long FR-44 coverage actually lasts.
How Does the DMV Find Out I Have Coverage? Can I Get My License Back the Same Day?
Your insurance company files the FR-44 electronically with Florida’s Bureau of Financial Responsibility, usually right at the point of sale. DMV records generally update within 24 to 48 hours.
If you need same-day reinstatement, ask about a paper certificate before you buy the policy. Some companies can provide a hard copy that gets emailed or faxed directly to the DMV office, which speeds things up considerably. I cover this in more depth in my article about Proving FR-44 Insurance to the DMV: Have Your Agent Available in Real Time, because there’s a right way and a wrong way to walk into that office prepared.
If you’re new to FR-44 requirements, it’s worth thinking early about how you’ll actually prove coverage in the moment it’s needed. I explore that idea further in Why I Still Carry a Paper Insurance Card (Even Though It’s on My Phone).
What Does FR-44 Insurance Actually Cost? Is There a Filing Fee?
There’s a $25 state filing fee, and a license reinstatement fee may apply on top of that.
Beyond those flat fees, your premium comes down to the usual factors — age, driving record, location, vehicle, and more. Generally speaking, a non-owner FR-44 policy is the most affordable option if you qualify, since it doesn’t insure a vehicle. A couple of things to know there: it’s not available if you regularly have access to a car or if an interlock device is required, and driver exclusions aren’t permitted on any FR-44 policy. When you get a quote, always include every driver in your household — leaving someone off can create bigger problems than it solves.
Filing fees and premiums are really just the start, though. The full financial picture of a DUI tends to run much deeper and longer than people expect — I go through that in why a Florida DUI costs so much.
Can an FR-44 Policy Be Cancelled?
Yes, and this changed fairly recently. As of October 1, 2023, FR-44 policies are no longer “non-cancellable.” Companies can cancel for non-payment or for material misrepresentation on the application.
Here’s the part that matters most: if your policy is cancelled while your FR-44 requirement is still active, you have to replace it immediately, or your license will be suspended. There’s no grace period.
I’ll be honest — when that October 2023 change went into effect, it caught a lot of agents off guard, myself included at first. For years, FR-44 policies simply couldn’t be cancelled outright, so a missed payment used to be a much smaller problem. Now it isn’t. These days, it’s one of the first things I walk through with every FR-44 client at setup: get on auto-pay, know your due date, and understand that a lapse doesn’t just mean a late fee anymore — it can mean a suspended license and a reset compliance clock. It’s a small change on paper, but it’s changed the conversation I have with every client on day one.
Can I Pay Monthly? Can I Have More Than One Policy?
Monthly payment plans are available, though paying in full typically earns a discount.
You’re only allowed one FR-44 filing per driver, but you can hold more than one insurance policy overall if your situation calls for it.
When Does My FR-44 Requirement Actually End?
That varies by driver, and only the DMV can confirm your specific end date. You can check your status through the state’s online portal:
- License Check Portal: services.flhsmv.gov/DLCheck
- MyDMV Portal: mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov
One detail worth knowing: within the final 60 days of your requirement, you’re allowed to continue carrying the 100/300/50 limits without an active FR-44 filing and still remain in compliance.
Why Call Me For Your FR-44 Quote Instead Of Shopping It Yourself?
Because every driver deserves a clear answer and a fair rate, not a runaround. I work with multiple A-rated companies, and I shop your policy at renewal — every year — to make sure you’re not quietly overpaying once your FR-44 period is in motion. My goal is simple: a smooth, stress-free quote experience and a straight answer whenever you need one. This is also why it matters who handles your Florida FR-44 insurance — a general agent might handle one FR-44 case a year. I handle them constantly, which means fewer surprises and fewer mistakes along the way.
If you’re just starting this process, or you’re renewing and want a second opinion, call or text me at 305-796-2968. I’m easy to reach.
Florida FR-44 Insurance Resource Guides
Understanding Florida FR-44 Insurance — Start here if you’re new to all this. What an FR-44 actually is, why Florida requires it, and how it’s different from a normal insurance policy.
License Reinstatement and FR-44 Compliance — Getting your license back, staying compliant once it’s filed, and avoiding the lapses, missed payments, and mistakes that lead to another suspension.
Florida FR-44 Insurance Companies and Rates — What actually moves your rate, where the real discounts are, switching carriers the right way, and what an FR-44 costs over time.
Florida DUI Education and Consequences — What a DUI conviction actually triggers in Florida, from license suspension through the FR-44 requirement itself.
Beyond DUI — Related situations that come up along the way: moving in or out of Florida, household questions, and how Florida’s rules compare to other states. (Coming soon)
Florida Auto Insurance — Back to the main site for general Florida auto insurance guidance beyond FR-44.
Continue Reading About Understanding Florida FR-44 Insurance
- What Is Florida FR-44 Insurance? A Complete Guide — Why an FR-44 isn’t a one-time insurance purchase, but a compliance requirement that has to stay active with no gaps for the full period.
- How Does an FR-44 Filing Work in Florida? — How your insurance company files the FR-44 with the Florida DMV, what the filing proves, and what happens after it is submitted.
- What Should I Do When My Florida FR-44 Starts? — What I walk every client through on day one, so nothing catches them off guard later in the process.
- How Long Do You Need FR-44 Insurance in Florida? — How Florida determines your FR-44 compliance period, when the clock begins, and why keeping continuous coverage matters.
- What Are the Most Common Florida FR-44 Questions? (This article) — Straightforward answers to the questions Florida drivers ask most often about FR-44 insurance and the reinstatement process.
- Does It Matter Who Handles Your Florida FR-44 Insurance? — Why the agent and agency handling your filing can matter as much as the policy itself.
- Can I Get Car Insurance After a Florida DUI? — Which types of insurance policies can satisfy Florida’s FR-44 requirement and how to choose the one that fits your situation.
- Why Does a Florida DUI Cost So Much? — Why the financial effects of a DUI often continue long after the court case is over, and what you can do to manage them.
- Proving FR-44 Insurance to the DMV: Have Your Agent Available in Real Time — Why having an experienced agent available during the reinstatement process can save time, reduce stress, and help resolve issues quickly.
- What’s the Difference Between Florida and Virginia FR-44? — How FR-44 requirements differ between Florida and Virginia and what drivers need to know.
About the Author
Written by Clifford Schimek — Florida Auto & FR-44 Insurance Expert
I help Florida drivers every day with auto insurance quotes and FR-44 filings. My goal is to make everything simpler and less stressful, no matter where you live in the state. If you ever need help or just want a straight answer, you can always call or text me directly.
Clifford Schimek Florida Auto & FR-44 Insurance Expert
Call or text: 305-796-2968
Learn More About Cliff
Why Clifford Schimek? – The case for working with me
Florida Auto Plus Insurance — Agency website
Florida FR-44 Information and Guidance — For Florida drivers who need an FR-44 filing
View My Google Business Profile — Reviews and business information