How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record? State Guide

If you're convicted of driving while under the influence (DUI) of drugs and/or alcohol, that conviction can stay on your driving record for five to 10 years or longer, depending on your state. Your criminal record, however, will likely show your DUI conviction for life.

A DUI conviction also comes with legal and financial consequences. Beyond paying fines and severe penalties, you can face jail time, the suspension of your driving privileges, and a 67% increase in your car insurance premiums. Keep reading to learn how DUIs can affect your life and finances.

On This Page

• 

  How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Driving Record?

• 

  State Comparison: Length a DUI Stays On Your Record

• 

  Why a DUI On Your Driving Record Matters

• 

  DUI and Legal Consequences

• 

  How To Get a DUI Off Your Driving Record

• 

  How DUIs Affect Your Car Insurance Rates

• 

  DUI Car Insurance FAQs

• 

  Find Affordable Car Insurance, Even With a DUI

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Driving Record?

For most states, a DUI will stay on your driving record for five to 10 years. Some states, however, will not wipe a DUI conviction from any driving records. These states include Alaska, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, and Nevada, among other states.

The length of time a DUI stays on your driving record will vary by state.

Many states enforce a point system, in which your driving privileges are suspended after reaching a certain number of points. Points are gained for various traffic violations besides DUI, including speeding and running red lights. Although, some states will automatically suspend a driver's license after a DUI, regardless of how many points (if at all) have been accrued.

A DUI conviction will appear on both a person's driving record and criminal record. States, however, typically don't set a timeline on when a DUI would fall off criminal records. Where your driving record may be cleared, a DUI conviction remains in your criminal history record forever until it is expunged (more on that later).

Get Personalized Car Insurance Quotes Here

State Comparison: Length a DUI Stays On Your Record

The length of time a DUI stays on your driving record will vary by state. The time limits listed below may reflect how far back your employers and insurance carriers can check for convictions (e.g., insurance companies can access a three-year driving record), but the DUI may still exist on your complete driving record. Some states do not specify how long it would take for a DUI to fall off your driving record but it typically takes up to 10 years.

Keep in mind that expunging your DUI may only be available to first-time offenders and those under 21. In some states, a DUI expunction is not possible at all. You should consult legal counsel to learn the nuances concerning DUIs in your state.

*In New Jersey, a DUI is considered only a traffic offense and would not appear on your criminal record.

Compare Rates From Top Companies and Save On Car Insurance

Why a DUI On Your Driving Record Matters

A DUI on your driving record can have lingering adverse effects on essential aspects of your life, beyond paying costly fees, having your license suspended, doing community service, serving jail time and satisfying drunk driving education requirements.

A DUI can remain on your record for five to 10 years in most states. During that time, you may experience the following consequences:

• Negative Background Checks: Background checks are often used in housing applications, college admissions and financial aid applications. DUI convictions could keep you from renting the apartment you want or finishing your higher education.

• Employment Difficulties: Employers may run background checks during the hiring process. A DUI on your record could thwart your ability to find gainful employment, especially if the job involves driving, working in financial institutions and any assignments that handle sensitive information.

• Higher Insurance Rates: A blemished driving record usually significantly increases your insurance premiums since you are considered a high-risk driver.

• Bad Reputation: Just being arrested could change the way your coworkers, employers, family members and community perceive you. Even if you try to keep it secret, your DUI arrest may come to light and mar your reputation. Your company may even choose to terminate your employment.

• Ineligibility for Financial Assistance: Since many academic institutions and lenders want to support ambitious applicants, a DUI could be a black mark on your record and future opportunities. Many colleges and universities will not accept students with a DUI conviction, and your scholarships and aid may be denied or revoked.

DUI and Legal Consequences

Many states are tough on drunk driving and may enforce the following DUI penalties following a conviction:

• License suspension: Your license will likely be suspended, barring you from driving a motor vehicle. The revocation period can vary based on state and whether you have a prior DUI conviction.

• Incarceration: You can serve jail time following a DUI conviction. The time spent in jail increases if you've had a prior DUI conviction (e.g., 10 days for the first offense, 90 days for the second).

• Home arrest with electronic monitoring: You may face confinement at home, while wearing electronic transmitters on your body (usually your ankle) to ensure you're within court-authorized proximity to your residence.

• Complete an alcohol treatment program: Convicted drivers may be required to complete a state-sanctioned drug and alcohol education or treatment program.

• Victim restitution: Pay compensation to victims who suffered bodily injury, property damage or other losses due to your DUI.

• Community services: Complete community service for a minimum number of hours. Services include volunteering for charity and cleaning local parks.

• Fines: You may be subject to various fines, including a fee to reinstate your license.

• Ignition interlock device: Install a device that measures your breath alcohol concentration. If the alcohol concentration is too high, the device prevents your vehicle from starting.

• Vehicle impoundment/confiscation: Your vehicle may be impounded after a DUI arrest, especially for underage or extreme DUI cases.

Get Personalized Car Insurance Quotes Here

How To Get a DUI Off Your Driving Record

Below are the various ways to clear your driving record of a DUI conviction:

Drive with a clean record until the time threshold. Generally, your DUI conviction will stay on your record until the time threshold is reached — up to 10 years for most states. If you live in Washington, Wisconsin or another state that does not wipe clean your DUI conviction, then it will stay with you forever.

Work off the points. In states that count DUI as a point against your record (and not an automatic suspension of your driving privileges), you can take DMV-approved driving improvement courses to immediately dismiss some points.

Hire a criminal defense attorney to help get your DUI expunged or sealed. A successful expungement occurs when the judge removes your guilty plea for the DUI charges and dismisses your case. When your records are expunged or sealed, you can claim that you have no prior convictions (absent non-DUI convictions) when filling a job application. However, law enforcement and government agencies, like the FBI, would still be able to see the criminal conviction.

Just don't do it — it's not worth it. A DUI will cost you $10,000, on average, according to the NHTSA. With this price tag, it's much smarter to order a taxi or rideshare service. Also, use our DUI calculator to learn how your alcohol consumption and body metrics compare to the legal levels in your state.

How DUIs Affect Your Car Insurance Rates

A criminal conviction for driving under the influence will almost always increase your auto insurance premiums. Similar to a driver with an extensive claims history of multiple accidents, a DUI conviction alerts car insurance companies that you're a high-risk driver. To compensate for the increased risk, you will need to pay higher premiums — a 67% increase, on average, according to Forbes.

After a DUI conviction, the court may order you to file SR-22 — a financial responsibility certificate that tells the state that you meet the minimum car insurance requirements. Your car insurance company may offer to file this form for you. If the SR-22 is not maintained, your driver's license can be suspended. SR-22 is only a form and not an insurance policy.

A DUI can result in a 67% increase in car insurance premiums.

Minimum coverage requirements may also increase depending on your state. The state of Virginia, for example, requires drivers with DUI convictions to obtain FR-44 insurance coverage, which carries twice the minimum liability coverage for regular drivers — twice the coverage=high cost. Illinois requires DUI offenders to carry high-risk auto insurance for three years, costing an additional $2,000 annually.

Get Personalized Car Insurance Quotes Here

Find Affordable Car Insurance, Even With a DUI

How long does a DUI stay on your record? Five to 10 years, depending on where you live. That's about how long you will have to pay higher insurance rates. While even one DUI will increase your auto insurance rates, it doesn't mean you're completely priced out of car insurance. However, you may need to do a little more work by comparing quotes from multiple insurance providers to get the best price out there. Fortunately, SmartFinancial can streamline the research process with our side-by-side comparison tables. With just a few button clicks, you can compare rates and coverages from our 200+ insurance partners. Just enter your zip code below to get your free quotes.