Maine SR-22 requirements after a DUI
Maine requires an SR-22 filing for 3 years only after a second or subsequent DUI; a first offense does not trigger it.
What Maine says
Mandatory for repeat OUI only. 29-A M.R.S. §1603(2): on receipt of the court record of an OUI conviction when the person has been previously convicted of OUI within a 10-year period, the Secretary of State may not reinstate the license until the person gives proof of financial responsibility; §1603(3) requires the proof to be maintained for at least 3 years after reinstatement. The BMV Motorist Handbook states that all 2nd and subsequent OUI offenders must demonstrate proof of liability insurance before their license is reinstated. A first OUI conviction is not a listed trigger: §1603(1) (discretionary suspension until proof is given) applies to violations 'other than OUI'. Proof may be given by filing an insurer's certificate with the Secretary of State (§1605(3)(A)); the BMV Financial Responsibility page refers to this as the Certificate of Insurance (SR-22). sr22Years = 3 (§1603(3)).
“On receipt of an attested copy of the court record of an OUI conviction when the person has been previously convicted within a 10-year period of OUI, the Secretary of State may not reinstate the person's license until the person gives proof of financial responsibility.”
Ignition interlock statute (see the state page): 29-A M.R.S. §2508
At a glance
| Filing required after a DUI | Repeat offenses only |
|---|---|
| Form | SR-22 |
| Filing period | 3 years |
| License reinstatement fee | $50 |
| Licensing agency | Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Department of the Secretary of State) |
How an SR-22 filing works
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility. The driver does not file it; the insurer does, electronically, with the state licensing agency, confirming that a policy meeting the state's minimum liability limits is in force. Most insurers charge a one-time filing fee, and a driver who needs one may find that fewer carriers offer it or that premiums are higher.
The filing must stay on file for the period the state sets. If the policy is cancelled or lapses during that period, the insurer notifies the state (an SR-26), and the license is typically suspended again until a new filing is made — which can restart the period.
The period usually starts at reinstatement, not at the arrest or conviction, though states differ; where the state specifies the start date, the note on this page says so.
Sources
- 29-A M.R.S. §2486 Reinstatement fee (Maine Legislature)
- Maine BMV: Financial Responsibility (SR-22)
- Maine BMV: Driver's License Reinstatement Fees FAQ
- 29-A M.R.S. §1603 Suspension (proof of financial responsibility after OUI convictions) (Maine Legislature)
- 29-A M.R.S. §1605 Proof of financial responsibility (Maine Legislature)