Illinois SR-22 & Driver-Services Glossary

SR-22

A certificate of financial responsibility filed by an insurance company with a state agency to prove a driver carries at least the state-required auto liability coverage. In Illinois it is filed with the Secretary of State.

SR-26

The notice an insurer files with the state when a previously filed SR-22 is no longer in force. In Illinois it generally causes the Secretary of State to re-suspend the driver's privileges.

Financial responsibility

The legal requirement that a driver can pay for damage they cause behind the wheel. Illinois satisfies this through minimum auto liability limits and, when required, an SR-22 filing.

Statutory summary suspension

An automatic administrative suspension of driving privileges in Illinois that takes effect on the 46th day after a DUI arrest for failing or refusing chemical testing.

Revocation

An indefinite loss of driving privileges. Unlike a suspension, a revocation does not lift automatically; the driver must apply for reinstatement and satisfy all conditions.

Suspension

A defined-length loss of driving privileges. Lifts once the term ends and any reinstatement requirements are met.

Non-owner policy

A liability-only auto insurance policy for drivers who do not own a vehicle. Used to satisfy an SR-22 filing requirement when there is no vehicle to insure.

Lapse

A period during which a required insurance policy is not in force. On an SR-22 policy, any lapse generally triggers an SR-26 filing and re-suspension.

Reinstatement

The process of restoring driving privileges after a suspension or revocation. In Illinois it is handled by the Secretary of State.

MVR

Motor Vehicle Record. The driver's official record of licensing, violations, crashes, and administrative actions maintained by the state.

Statutory limits

The minimum insurance coverage amounts required by state law. Illinois' statutory auto liability minimums are generally 25/50/20.

Uninsured motorist coverage (UM)

Coverage that pays for injuries you sustain in a crash caused by a driver without liability insurance. Illinois generally requires UM at 25/50 in addition to liability.

At-fault

The determination that a driver is legally responsible for causing a crash. At-fault crashes generally raise premium and, if the driver was uninsured, can trigger an SR-22 requirement.

Points

The state's system of counting the seriousness of moving violations. Accumulated points can lead to suspension.

High-risk

Industry term for drivers whom standard insurers decline to write, typically because of a DUI, at-fault crashes, lapses, or accumulated violations.

Non-standard

The insurance market that specializes in high-risk drivers. Most SR-22 filings sit on non-standard policies.

Preferred

The lowest-risk tier in personal auto insurance. Clean record, continuous coverage, no filings.

Surcharge

A rate increase applied to a policy for a specific reason, such as a recent at-fault crash or DUI conviction.

Binder

A temporary proof-of-coverage document issued when a policy is bound but before the printed policy arrives. Valid for a limited time.

Effective date

The date and time coverage under a policy begins. The SR-22 filing generally cannot precede this date.

Filing fee

The small one-time charge an insurer applies to administer an SR-22 filing. Amount varies by insurer. Separate from the underlying premium.

Court supervision

An Illinois disposition in some traffic and misdemeanor cases that, if successfully completed, avoids a conviction on the record. Not available for most DUI cases in Illinois.

BAIID

Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device. Illinois generally requires BAIID during a Monitoring Device Driving Permit period after a first statutory summary suspension and often during a Restricted Driving Permit period after DUI.

Restricted Driving Permit (RDP)

A limited-purpose driving permit the Illinois Secretary of State may grant during a revocation for employment, education, medical care, treatment, or child transport.

Hardship license

Common informal name for a Restricted Driving Permit. Illinois uses the term Restricted Driving Permit.

Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP)

An Illinois permit that allows first-time statutory-summary-suspension drivers to drive without geographic or purpose limits during the suspension, on the condition of BAIID installation on any vehicle they drive.

Proof of insurance

Evidence that a driver carries required auto liability coverage, typically the insurance ID card. Distinct from an SR-22, which is a state filing rather than a driver-held document.

Related reading

Keep going

• What is an SR-22?

  The certificate at the center of every entry above.

• SR-22 after a DUI in Illinois

  See BAIID, MDDP, and RDP in context.

• License reinstatement in Illinois

  How the terms come together in the reinstatement process.

• SR-22 FAQ

  The most common Illinois questions.

Sources

Where this information comes from

• Illinois Secretary of State — ilsos.gov
• Illinois Department of Insurance — idoi.illinois.gov

Requirements, forms, fees, and timelines change. Confirm current requirements directly with the Illinois Secretary of State at ilsos.gov before acting.