How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record?

When people ask "how long does a DUI stay on your record," the answer depends on which record. These are maintained by different agencies with different rules.

Your driving record is maintained by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It tracks traffic violations, license suspensions, and points. A DUI stays on your driving record for 5 to 10 years in most states, though some states (Alaska, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington) keep it permanently.

Your criminal record is maintained by law enforcement agencies and the courts. A DUI conviction goes on your criminal record and typically stays there permanently unless you successfully petition for expungement or record sealing. This is the record that shows up on background checks by employers, landlords, and licensing boards.

Even if a DUI falls off your driving record after the retention period, it may still appear on your criminal record. And even if you get your criminal record expunged, your driving record may still show the DUI for its full retention period. These are independent systems.

The lookback period (also called a "washout period" or "priorability window") is how far back a state looks when determining whether a new DUI counts as a repeat offense. This is critically important because second and third DUI offenses carry much harsher penalties -- longer jail time, higher fines, longer license suspensions, and mandatory ignition interlock requirements.

For example, if you got a DUI in 2015 and get another one in 2026: In a state with a 5-year lookback (like Mississippi), the 2015 DUI would not count -- your 2026 arrest would be treated as a first offense. But in a state with a lifetime lookback (like Texas or Colorado), the 2015 DUI absolutely counts, and you would be sentenced as a repeat offender with significantly enhanced penalties.

Lookback periods vary dramatically: 5 years (Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Rhode Island), 7 years (Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Washington), 10 years (California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia), 15 years (Nebraska), and lifetime (Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin).

A DUI will significantly increase your auto insurance premiums. Most insurers check your driving record for the past 3 to 5 years when setting rates, though some look back further. On average, a DUI increases car insurance premiums by 65% to 80%, though the exact increase varies by state and insurer.

After a DUI, most states require you to file an SR-22 certificate (or FR-44 in Florida and Virginia) proving you carry the minimum required liability coverage. SR-22 is typically required for 2 to 3 years. If your SR-22 policy lapses even briefly, your insurer must notify the state and your license will be re-suspended.

The insurance impact typically lasts 3 to 5 years in most states, though some insurers check records going back further. Once the DUI drops off your driving record (or enough years have passed), your premiums should decrease. Shopping around is essential -- rates after a DUI can vary by hundreds of dollars between insurers.

A DUI on your criminal record will show up on most standard background checks. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards can see it. However, the impact depends on several factors.

Most background checks cover the past 7 years, though some go further. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumer reporting agencies in some states cannot report non-conviction data older than 7 years, but convictions can be reported indefinitely in many states. California, New York, and a handful of other states limit reporting to 7 years for misdemeanor convictions.

For employment specifically, a misdemeanor DUI (first offense, no injury) is generally less damaging than a felony DUI. Many employers will still hire someone with a single misdemeanor DUI, especially if it happened years ago. However, jobs that require driving -- delivery, trucking, rideshare, sales -- may have stricter policies. A DUI can also affect professional licenses in fields like healthcare, law, education, and finance.

If you have a DUI on your record and are job hunting, check whether your state has "ban the box" laws that delay criminal history questions until later in the hiring process.

Many states allow DUI expungement or record sealing for first-time offenders who meet specific criteria. Expungement removes the conviction from your criminal record (or seals it from public view), which can help with employment, housing, and other background checks.

States that allow DUI expungement (for qualifying first offenses) include: California, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming, among others. Some states like Arizona, Arkansas, Nevada, and Massachusetts offer record sealing instead of expungement, which has a similar practical effect.

States that do NOT allow DUI expungement include Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. In Texas, a DWI conviction generally cannot be expunged -- only dismissed charges can be cleared.

Typical eligibility requirements include: completion of all probation terms, payment of all fines and fees, no subsequent offenses, and a waiting period (typically 1 to 10 years after completing the sentence). The process usually requires filing a petition with the court and may benefit from an attorney's help.

Important: Even when a DUI is expunged from your criminal record, it may still appear on your driving record for the state's full retention period. And in many states, an expunged DUI still counts as a prior offense if you get another DUI within the lookback period.

1. Complete all court requirements promptly. Finish DUI classes, community service, probation, and pay all fines. This is the first step toward eligibility for expungement.

2. Check your state's expungement eligibility. If your state allows DUI expungement, find out the waiting period and requirements. Start the process as soon as you are eligible.

3. Request your records. Get a copy of both your driving record (from your state DMV) and your criminal record (from the state police or court clerk) so you know exactly what shows up.

4. Consult a DUI attorney. Many offer free consultations. An attorney can advise on expungement, record sealing, or other relief available in your state.

5. Maintain a clean record. Avoid any new arrests or traffic violations. A clean record strengthens any future expungement petition.

6. Be proactive with employers. If asked about your record, be honest but brief. Many employers are more understanding of a single past DUI than of dishonesty during the hiring process.