In Tennessee, an SR‑22 (also called a Certificate of Financial Responsibility) is required when the Department of Safety orders it as a condition for reinstating a driver’s license after serious traffic violations such as DUI or other offenses that lead to suspension or revocation. The requirement appears on the driver’s reinstatement checklist, and the driver must maintain the SR‑22 for the full length of the suspension or revocation period—for example, a one‑year revocation obligates a one‑year SR‑22.
The SR‑22 is not filed by the driver directly; an insurance company that is licensed in Tennessee must file the policy electronically with the Department of Safety. The insurance company sets the cost, and any cancellation or termination of the policy before the required period can trigger another suspension for failure to maintain proof of financial responsibility. To reinstate a license, the driver must satisfy all listed reinstatement requirements, pay any applicable fees, and submit the SR‑22 documentation either online, in person at a Driver Service Center, or by mail to the Financial Responsibility Office, which reviews submissions within five business days. Out‑of‑state residents may request a waiver of the SR‑22 requirement, provided the waiver is signed by their home‑state driver services office.