Does the time before I file count toward my SR-22 period in Texas?

Does Texas count the time before an SR-22 is filed?

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) states in its driver license frequently asked questions that an SR-22 must be valid for 2 years² from the date of the most recent conviction, or the date a judgment was rendered. DPS gives an example in which the SR-22 is sent one year after the conviction, and says the person then only needs to maintain it for one more year, since the total is counted from the conviction.² DPS also says that if a new conviction requiring an SR-22 is reported to the department, the length of the requirement may be extended.² The DPS example reads:

An SR-22 must be maintained for a total of two (2) years from the date of your most recent conviction; therefore, in this scenario you will only need to maintain it for one (1) more year.

What start date and period does each Texas case use?

Case	What DPS says
Conviction that requires an SR-22	Coverage is maintained for 2 years1 from the date of the conviction
Reinstatement after a judgment suspension	SR-22 required if under 2 years since judgment3

What the sources do not state

The DPS wording quoted here gives one example, a filing one year after conviction. It does not give other timelines, and it does not say by how much a new conviction would extend the requirement.

Next step

The agency’s own explanation is on the DPS SR-22 frequently asked questions. This site’s Texas filing lookup tool lists what follows a given situation.