What a hardship license actually allows
States use different names — hardship license, restricted license, occupational license, work permit, probationary license — but the privilege is the same: limited driving for approved purposes during a suspension or revocation. Typical approved purposes are commuting to and from employment, attending school, medical care, court-ordered treatment or interlock service appointments, and transporting dependents.
The SR-22 comes first
The motor vehicle agency will not process a restricted privilege until it has electronic proof of financial responsibility on file. That proof is the SR-22 — or the higher-limit FR-44 in Florida and Virginia after an alcohol-related conviction. No vehicle in your name? A non-owner SR-22 policy satisfies the same requirement at a much lower premium.
Step-by-step: getting the restricted privilege
- Serve any mandatory hard suspension period required by your conviction or court order.
- Buy an auto policy that includes the SR-22 (or FR-44) filing for your state — owner or non-owner.
- Have the filing sent electronically to the state motor vehicle agency the same day.
- Complete required programs: DUI/alcohol education, treatment evaluation, or defensive driving.
- Install an ignition interlock device if your offense requires one, and submit the installation certificate.
- Pay reinstatement and application fees and file the restricted-license petition with the DMV or court.
- Keep the coverage active without a single lapse for the entire filing term.
State-by-state requirements
Filing terms, minimum liability limits and interlock rules vary. These are the states we file in today — open your state page for the full requirements and current rates.
- Arizona hardship license requirements — filed with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). SR-22 required for 3 years; minimum liability 25/50/15. Arizona requires a certified ignition interlock device for every DUI conviction, including first offenses.
- Colorado hardship license requirements — filed with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). SR-22 required for 3 years; minimum liability 25/50/15. Ignition interlock is required for most DUI reinstatements and for all persistent drunk drivers (BAC 0.15+).
- Florida hardship license requirements — filed with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). SR-22 required for 3 years; minimum liability 10/20/10 PIP & PDL basics; FR-44 requires 100/300/50. Florida requires an ignition interlock for most DUI convictions with a BAC of 0.15+ or a minor in the vehicle, and for all repeat offenses.
- Georgia hardship license requirements — filed with the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). SR-22 required for 3 years; minimum liability 25/50/25. Interlock is required for many repeat DUI offenders and for early license reinstatement programs.
- Louisiana hardship license requirements — filed with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). SR-22 required for 3 years; minimum liability 15/30/25. Louisiana requires an ignition interlock for most DUI/DWI reinstatements and hardship licenses.
- Missouri hardship license requirements — filed with the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR). SR-22 required for 2 years (3 for some repeat offenses); minimum liability 25/50/25. Missouri requires an Ignition Interlock Device for most DWI reinstatements, typically for 6 months minimum.
- Ohio hardship license requirements — filed with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). SR-22 required for 3 to 5 years depending on the offense; minimum liability 25/50/25. Ohio requires certified ignition interlock for repeat OVI offenders and for many limited driving privileges.
- Tennessee hardship license requirements — filed with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. SR-22 required for 3 years; minimum liability 25/50/25. Ignition interlock is required for most first-offense DUI convictions in Tennessee.
- Virginia hardship license requirements — filed with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). SR-22 required for 3 years; minimum liability 50/100/25; FR-44 requires 100/300/50. Virginia requires an ignition interlock for every DUI conviction, including first offenses, for at least 12 months of restricted driving.
Mistakes that cost people their hardship license
- Letting the policy cancel for non-payment — the SR-26 pulls the privilege instantly.
- Buying a policy that meets the old minimum limits instead of the current state minimum.
- Driving outside the approved hours or purposes listed on the restriction.
- Removing the interlock device or missing a calibration appointment before the term ends.
- Cancelling the SR-22 as soon as the license is back instead of waiting for the state to confirm the requirement is satisfied — see how long you need an SR-22.
How much does the SR-22 add?
The filing fee itself is small — usually $15 to $25 — but the underlying high-risk policy is what drives the price. See real numbers on our SR-22 cost breakdown, then call us and we will shop multiple carriers before you file.