Moving FL to GA with FR-44: Which Filing Transfers?

Georgia does not accept Florida FR-44 filings. FR-44 is a Florida-specific certification requiring higher liability limits than standard SR-22. Georgia uses SR-22 only, with lower liability thresholds. When you establish Georgia residency, Florida's FR-44 requirement ends the day you surrender your Florida license. Georgia DMV reviews your driving record during license transfer. If your original violation meets Georgia's SR-22 triggering criteria, they'll impose a new Georgia SR-22 requirement with its own filing period. If it doesn't, you're done. Most FR-44 holders moving to Georgia see their filing requirement disappear entirely. Florida mandates FR-44 for DUI convictions — Georgia requires SR-22 for the same offense, but only if the DUI occurred within the past 5 years and resulted in license suspension. Older violations or out-of-state suspensions that Florida tracked may not trigger Georgia action at all.

Your Florida FR-44 obligation terminates when you surrender your Florida driver's license to obtain a Georgia license. Florida DMV no longer has jurisdiction over your driving privileges once you're a Georgia resident. You must notify your Florida insurer that you're canceling FR-44 coverage. The carrier will file an FR-44 termination notice with Florida DMV, closing your Florida filing record. Do this within 30 days of establishing Georgia residency to avoid Florida issuing a failure-to-maintain notice that could complicate future out-of-state license applications. Georgia DMV pulls your National Driver Register history during license transfer. If your record shows a DUI conviction, at-fault accident with suspension, or multiple serious violations within Georgia's lookback windows, they'll impose a Georgia SR-22 requirement as a condition of license issuance. You'll receive written notice specifying the filing period and deadline to comply.

Georgia requires SR-22 filing if your driving record shows a DUI conviction within the past 5 years, accumulation of 15 or more points within 24 months, or a license suspension for refusing a chemical test. Out-of-state violations appear on your Georgia license review if they were reported to the National Driver Register. Florida reports all DUI convictions and FR-44 requirements to NDR. Georgia DMV sees the conviction but applies Georgia's own SR-22 triggering rules, not Florida's. If your DUI occurred more than 5 years ago, Georgia typically issues a standard license with no SR-22 requirement. Habitual offender suspensions trigger SR-22 in Georgia regardless of where the underlying violations occurred. If Florida suspended your license as a habitual traffic offender and that suspension is still active or was lifted within the past 3 years, Georgia will require SR-22 filing for 3 years from the date you obtain your Georgia license.

Georgia SR-22 requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Florida FR-44 requires 100/300/50, four times higher for bodily injury per person. Moving to Georgia SR-22 from Florida FR-44 typically cuts your liability premium by 30-45% if you drop to Georgia minimums. Georgia does not require collision or comprehensive coverage for SR-22 filing unless your vehicle has a lienholder demanding it. Most carriers writing FR-44 in Florida do not operate in Georgia's non-standard auto market. You'll need a new Georgia-licensed carrier to file SR-22. Progressive, State Farm, and GEICO write SR-22 in Georgia through standard or non-standard subsidiaries depending on your violation age and driving history since the offense.

Obtain your Georgia driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency. Georgia requires proof of residency, Social Security number, and surrender of your Florida license. DMV will review your driving record and notify you in writing if SR-22 filing is required. If Georgia imposes SR-22, you have 10 days from the notice date to file proof of financial responsibility. Contact a Georgia-licensed carrier immediately. The carrier files SR-22 electronically with Georgia DDS. Your license remains suspended or invalid until the filing is received and processed. Notify your Florida insurer the same day you obtain your Georgia license. Request FR-44 termination and policy cancellation effective the date of your license transfer. Confirm the carrier filed the termination notice with Florida DMV. Keep documentation of the termination filing — if Florida later claims you failed to maintain FR-44, you'll need proof you were no longer a Florida resident.

Progressive writes SR-22 in Georgia through its standard and non-standard divisions depending on violation recency. DUI convictions older than 3 years typically qualify for standard rates. Recent DUIs route to Progressive's non-standard subsidiary at higher premiums but with immediate SR-22 filing capability. State Farm writes SR-22 in Georgia but rarely accepts new customers with active DUI convictions. If your DUI is older than 5 years and you have no other violations, State Farm may quote standard rates with SR-22 filing. Most FR-44 holders moving to Georgia will not qualify. Nationwide, GEICO, and Allstate write Georgia SR-22 through specialty programs. Monthly premiums for a 35-year-old male with a 2-year-old DUI moving from Florida FR-44 to Georgia SR-22 range from $145 to $240 for minimum liability coverage. Raising liability limits to 100/300/100 adds $40-$70 per month.

Georgia requires SR-22 filing for 3 years from the date of license reinstatement or issuance after a covered violation. The filing period does not start until you obtain your Georgia license and the carrier files SR-22 with Georgia DDS. If you delay obtaining your Georgia license for 6 months after establishing residency, your 3-year SR-22 clock does not start until you actually get the license. Georgia does not credit time you maintained FR-44 in Florida toward the Georgia SR-22 period. Letting SR-22 lapse even one day during the required period resets the 3-year clock to zero. Georgia DDS receives electronic notice from your carrier within 24 hours of policy cancellation or lapse. Your license suspends automatically. Reinstatement requires a new SR-22 filing, $210 reinstatement fee, and a new 3-year filing period starting from the reinstatement date.