Limited Driving Privileges — Ohio

Ohio requires 25/50/25 liability minimums and SR-22 filing for 3 years after DUI conviction. Limited Driving Privileges are typically court-ordered at sentencing rather than applied for separately, with strict approved-purposes scope and mandatory ignition interlock for most cases.

Compare Ohio Auto Insurance

Non-Standard Auto · SR-22 · Senior · Teen Drivers

Middle-aged man in glasses gripping the wheel with both hands while driving
Quotes from state-licensed insurance professionals
Licensed Agents Only
Free to request, no commitment required
No Obligation
No cost to you
Free to Use
Your contact information is protected
TCPA-Compliant
Updated July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Ohio

Ohio operates under a tort liability system, requiring all drivers to carry proof of financial responsibility. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles mandates 25/50/25 minimum liability — $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, $25,000 for property damage. After a DUI conviction, the court typically orders Limited Driving Privileges as part of sentencing, and the BMV requires SR-22 filing for 3 years from the conviction date.

Ohio cityscape and street view
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Bodily Injury Liability
Covers injuries you cause to others in an at-fault accident. Ohio's $25,000 per-person minimum is exhausted by a single overnight hospital stay in most cases — medical bills from serious injury accidents routinely exceed $100,000. Drivers with Limited Driving Privileges face elevated risk of claims during the restricted period, making higher limits critical.
$25,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability
Covers damage you cause to another vehicle or property. The $25,000 state minimum covers a totaled mid-range sedan, but not the newer trucks and SUVs common on Ohio roads — average repair costs for collision with a late-model pickup exceed $30,000. Insufficient property damage coverage leaves you personally liable for the difference.
Proof of minimum liability coverage
SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility
Ohio requires SR-22 filing after DUI, reckless operation, driving under suspension, or accumulating 12 points in 2 years. The SR-22 is not insurance — it is a certificate your carrier files electronically with the Ohio BMV proving you maintain continuous coverage. Any lapse triggers immediate license suspension, and the 3-year clock resets from the lapse date, not the original conviction date.
Not required
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Covers your injuries when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. Ohio does not mandate UM coverage, but 13% of Ohio drivers operate uninsured according to Insurance Research Council data. Rejection of UM coverage must be made in writing at policy inception — verbal rejection does not count, and coverage is added automatically if the signed rejection form is not completed.
Endorsement or policy notation
Ignition Interlock Device Compliance Coverage
Ohio courts order ignition interlock installation for most DUI convictions as a condition of Limited Driving Privileges. Some carriers require a specific IID endorsement on the SR-22 policy confirming the device is installed and maintained. Failure to maintain IID compliance results in immediate LDP revocation and restart of the suspension period.
State-Mandated Minimum Coverage · Ohio

Ohio Minimum Coverage

CoverageMinimum
Bodily Injury (per person)$25,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)$50,000
Property Damage$25,000

License Reinstatement Fee$40

Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your Ohio quote.

Get your Ohio quote

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Ohio?

Ohio SR-22 insurance costs reflect the state's 3-year filing requirement, mandatory IID for most DUI cases, and carrier pricing for high-risk drivers. Monthly premiums for minimum liability with SR-22 filing typically range $140–$220 for first-offense DUI drivers, with higher limits pushing costs to $200–$320/month.

What Affects Your Rate

  • DUI conviction date — premiums peak in the first 12 months post-conviction, declining 15–25% annually if no additional violations occur during the SR-22 period.
  • Ignition interlock requirement — IID installation adds $70–$100 monthly monitoring fees on top of insurance premiums, and some carriers surcharge policies by $15–$30/month for IID-mandated drivers.
  • Limited Driving Privileges scope — narrower approved purposes (work and medical only) reduce mileage exposure and may lower premiums 8–12% compared to broader LDP grants that include educational or religious travel.
  • County location — Franklin County average SR-22 premiums run $185–$240/month, while rural counties like Athens and Meigs average $150–$195/month due to lower claim frequency and theft rates.
  • Age and driving history — drivers under 25 with DUI convictions face combined high-risk surcharges pushing premiums to $280–$420/month, while drivers over 50 with clean records prior to a single DUI event average $160–$210/month.
  • Carrier specialization — standard carriers like State Farm and Nationwide often non-renew after DUI conviction, forcing placement with non-standard specialists like The General, Acceptance, or Progressive's high-risk division at 40–60% higher premiums than standard market rates.
Minimum Coverage
$140–$220/mo
State-minimum 25/50/25 liability with SR-22 filing. Covers legal requirements but leaves significant personal exposure in any serious accident.
Standard Coverage
$180–$280/mo
50/100/50 liability with uninsured motorist coverage and SR-22. Provides meaningful protection against Ohio's 13% uninsured driver rate and raises limits to cover most non-catastrophic accidents.
Full Coverage
$220–$380/mo
100/300/100 liability, comprehensive, collision, UM/UIM, and SR-22. Protects both your liability exposure and your vehicle. Required if you carry a car loan or lease during the LDP period.

Compare car insurance rates in your state

Get quotes from licensed carriers — no obligation, no spam, results in minutes.

Get Your Free Quote
No Obligation Required Licensed Carriers Only Available Nationwide Free to Compare

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Your Free Quote in Ohio