Minimum Coverage Requirements in Texas
Texas operates under a tort-based liability system, requiring all drivers to carry minimum 30/60/25 liability coverage. After a DUI conviction, the Texas Department of Public Safety suspends your license and mandates SR-22 filing for three years, ignition interlock device installation for most first-offense cases with BAC above .15, and DUI education program completion before you can apply for an Occupational Driver License.
Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your Texas quote.
Get your Texas quoteHow Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Texas?
Texas SR-22 premiums after a DUI conviction average $190 to $280 per month for minimum liability coverage—three to four times the state average for standard drivers. Non-owner SR-22 policies cost less, typically $30 to $60 per month, making them the lowest-cost path for drivers without a vehicle.
What Affects Your Rate
- BAC level at arrest—Texas increases suspension length and IID requirements for BAC .15 or higher, and SR-22 premiums rise accordingly, with some carriers adding 40 to 60 percent surcharges for aggravated DUI cases.
- Offense number—second-offense DUI triggers longer suspension, mandatory IID for all BAC levels, and SR-22 premiums that run 20 to 40 percent higher than first-offense rates.
- Age and driving history—drivers under 25 with a DUI pay the highest premiums in Texas, often $350 to $450 per month for minimum coverage, because insurers layer youth surcharges on top of DUI penalties.
- Zip code and county—urban counties with higher DUI arrest rates, including Harris, Dallas, Bexar, and Travis, see premiums 15 to 25 percent higher than rural counties due to court congestion and higher claim frequency.
- Coverage gaps—any lapse in SR-22 filing during the three-year period restarts the clock from zero, and the new policy premium reflects the lapse as an additional underwriting penalty of 10 to 30 percent.
- Vehicle type—older vehicles with liability-only coverage cost less to insure, but financing a newer vehicle while SR-22 is active requires full coverage, pushing monthly premiums above $400 in most cases.
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Occupational Driver License Requirements
An Occupational Driver License allows restricted driving for work, education, and essential household duties during your suspension. Texas requires a court petition, proof of SR-22 filing, completion of the DUI education program, and payment of the $125 application fee.
SR-22 Filing and Duration
SR-22 is a three-year filing requirement in Texas for DUI offenders. Your insurer submits the SR-22 form to the Texas Department of Public Safety certifying continuous coverage, and any lapse triggers immediate suspension.
Ignition Interlock Device Installation
Texas mandates IID installation for first-offense DUI with BAC .15 or higher, all second offenses, and any DUI involving a minor passenger. The device must remain installed throughout your ODL period and for six months after full reinstatement.
Non-Owner SR-22 for No-Vehicle Drivers
Non-owner SR-22 policies satisfy Texas's SR-22 filing requirement without owning a vehicle. This is the lowest-cost path to ODL eligibility if your vehicle was impounded, sold, or never owned.
DUI Education Program Completion
Texas requires completion of a DWI Education Program or DWI Intervention Program before you can apply for an Occupational Driver License. First offenders complete a 12-hour education program; repeat offenders complete a 32-hour intervention program.
Full License Reinstatement After SR-22 Period
After your three-year SR-22 period ends, you must pay a $125 reinstatement fee, complete any remaining IID time, and maintain continuous coverage for six months before DPS removes the SR-22 requirement.
