How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record?
Depending on the state, a DUI can stay on your record for five to 10 years. In some states, it’s permanent.
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Written byAnna Baluch
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4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
MBA from Roosevelt University
Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Updated November 20, 2024
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Table of contents
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense that comes with a variety of legal and financial consequences, including fines, jail time, and loss of your driver’s license. If you have a DUI conviction, it can stay on your record anywhere from five to 10 years — and sometimes indefinitely — depending on where you live.
Having a DUI on your driving record can also lead to more expensive car insurance coverage, though it’s still possible to find affordable car insurance. The key to finding cheap coverage is to shop around and compare quotes online from multiple auto insurers to land the best policy for your needs.
How long does a DUI stay on your driving record?
A DUI charge typically stays on your driving record for five to 10 years, though this varies by state. Sometimes, a DUI will remain on your driving record forever.
The table below shows the number of years a DUI stays on a driving record in each state, also known as a lookback period. The data comes from the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, a nonprofit organization made up of 11 American alcohol companies committed to eliminating drunk driving and underage drinking.[1]
State ▲▼ | How Long a DUI Stays on Driving Record ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 10 years |
| Alaska | 15 years |
| Arizona | 7 years |
| Arkansas | 10 years |
| California | 10 years |
| Colorado | Permanently |
| Connecticut | 10 years |
| Delaware | Forever |
| Florida | 5 years |
| Georgia | 10 years |
| Hawaii | 10 years |
| Idaho | 10 years |
| Illinois | Permanently |
| Indiana | 5 years |
| Iowa | 12 years |
| Kansas | 10 years |
| Kentucky | 10 years |
| Louisiana | 10 years |
| Maine | 10 years |
| Maryland | 5 years |
| Massachusetts | Permanently |
| Michigan | 7 years |
| Minnesota | 10 years |
| Mississippi | 5 years |
| Missouri | 5 years |
| Montana | 10 years |
| Nebraska | 15 years |
| Nevada | 7 years |
| New Hampshire | 10 years |
| New Jersey | 10 years |
| New Mexico | 55 years |
| New York | 15 years |
| North Carolina | 7 years |
| North Dakota | 7 years |
| Ohio | 10 years |
| Oklahoma | 10 years |
| Oregon | 10 years |
| Pennsylvania | 10 years |
| Rhode Island | 5 years |
| South Carolina | 10 years |
| South Dakota | 10 years |
| Tennessee | 10 years |
| Texas | Permanently |
| Utah | 10 years |
| Vermont | Permanently |
| Virginia | 10 years |
| Washington | 7 years |
| Washington, D.C. | 15 years |
| West Virginia | 10 years |
| Wisconsin | 10 years |
| Wyoming | 10 years |
Source: Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
Different types of DUI offenses
A DUI is a very serious offense. Approximately 32 people in the U.S. lose their lives in preventable drunk driving accidents every day, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.[2] Even when DUIs don’t lead to fatalities, they may be the cause of extensive property damage, accidents, and bodily injury.
It’s important to note that DUI includes driving under the influence of prescription medications and illegal drugs in addition to alcohol. Mixing drugs and driving is just as illegal as driving drunk.
Some states use different acronyms for driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, though the most common term is DUI, for “driving under the influence.”
Here are the different terms your state may use and what they stand for.
DUI and DWI: Similar to a DUI, a DWI charge stands for “driving while impaired or intoxicated.” Some states may use both of these terms interchangeably, but the terms can have distinct meanings and associated penalties in other states.
OWI and OUI: An OWI charge means “operating while intoxicated,” and an OUI stands for “operating under the influence.” States that use this terminology include Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin.
OWVI and DUAC: OWVI stands for “operating while visibly impaired,” and DUAC means “driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration.”
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Effect of a DUI on your driving record
After you get a DUI conviction, you’ll face a number of potential consequences, including increased premiums, legal and financial penalties, limited insurance options, and complications with future housing and employment opportunities. Learn more about potential penalties below.
Increased car insurance premiums
As soon as a car insurance company finds out you have a DUI on your record, it’ll automatically place you into the high-risk category. This means your insurer will charge you higher premiums than a driver with a clean driving record. Unfortunately, you can’t avoid the increased premium, so prepare to pay more for your car insurance than you did before your DUI conviction.
The following table illustrates how a DUI can affect the average monthly liability-only insurance rates of some national and regional insurance companies. Increases of 55% are common, but your rate may increase more or less, depending on the insurer, the state you live in, and your specific circumstances.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Friday, November 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $34 | $56 |
| USAA | $45 | $74 |
| GEICO | $54 | $89 |
| State Farm | $54 | $89 |
| Allstate | $61 | $101 |
| Nationwide | $83 | $137 |
| Travelers | $89 | $147 |
| Dairyland | $91 | $150 |
| Progressive | $98 | $162 |
| Farmers | $110 | $181 |
| Liberty Mutual | $159 | $262 |
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Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Legal and financial penalties
A DUI conviction will result in serious legal and financial penalties, including attorney fees, court fines, and more. Here are some of the financial penalties you might have to pay:[3]
Financial Penalty ▲▼ | Fee Amount ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Attorney fees | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Court fines | $150–$1,800 for a first-time DUI |
| Jail fees | Up to $300 |
| Probation fines | Up to $1,200 |
| Driver’s license reinstatement fees | $20–$200 |
| Ignition interlock device charges | Up to $1,500 |
| Alternative transportation fees | $100–$1,000 |
You may also need to pay driver responsibility fees to your state. These range from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on where you live. And, if the state canceled your vehicle registration due to a DUI conviction, you’ll also need to pay registration fees to reinstate it.
In addition to these costs and jail time, you might have to participate in community service, complete an alcohol or drug treatment program, and undergo frequent blood alcohol testing. You may face driver’s license suspension as well. The higher your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the incident, the more serious your penalties will be.[4]
Limited auto insurer options
If you have a DUI conviction, you’ll have fewer car insurance options for a few reasons. First, some auto insurance companies are simply unwilling to extend coverage to drivers with DUIs on their records. Second, other insurers don’t offer SR-22 or FR-44 forms, which you’ll need to file in most states to prove that you meet the minimum car insurance requirements after a DUI conviction. An SR-22 or FR-44 can help you get your license reinstated.
Future employment and housing
If you have a professional license so you can practice law or medicine, for example, your licensing board or agency might suspend it once they learn you have a DUI conviction. If it doesn’t suspend your license, it may place restrictions on how you can use it.
A DUI can also impair your chances of landing a job in the future, especially if your desired position requires a clean criminal history or prohibits DUIs altogether. In addition, if you wish to rent a property, a landlord or property management company may run a background check and deny your rental application due to your DUI.
Cheapest recent rates for drivers with a DUI
Drivers have found policies from Embark, Kemper Standard, Commonwealth Casualty, and more, for rates as low as $53/mo. through Insurify
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from November 20, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from November 20, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
How to find car insurance with a DUI on your record
Having a past DUI can increase your auto insurance premiums and make it more difficult to find coverage. Consider the following tips when trying to secure an insurance policy with a past DUI on your driving record.
Compare quotes
Not all car insurance companies treat DUI convictions the same. That’s why it’s well worth your time and effort to shop around and compare auto insurance quotes from multiple companies. You’ll notice that some insurers charge lower premiums for drivers with DUIs on their records.
Look into non-standard insurance
Non-standard car insurance comes from insurance companies that focus on high-risk drivers. If you don’t own a car and drive someone else’s vehicle every once in a while, a non-owner car insurance policy might make sense.[5]
Wait for your DUI to fall off your driving record
In many states, a DUI will fall off your driving record after five years. If you don’t mind using public transportation or have another way to get around, you might want to wait until your offense disappears from your record. Once it does, you may be eligible for cheaper auto insurance coverage.
Buy a policy through a state-run assigned risk pool
If you’re struggling to find coverage after a DUI conviction, you may have to buy a policy through your state-run assigned risk pool. Insurers participate in the risk pool voluntarily, and they must accept the drivers the state assigns to them. Since these policies are more expensive than those you’ll find at private insurance companies, this should be your last resort.[5]
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Can you expunge a DUI from your record?
In some states, it may be possible to clear a DUI from your public record through a process called expungement. In most cases, you’ll have to fill out an application, pay a fee, and appear in court for a hearing so that a judge can decide whether to approve or deny your request for expungement. If you have a DUI on your record and want to get it expunged, you’ll need to consult an attorney to find out if you’re eligible.
Not all states allow expungement, and some states have stricter expungement criteria than others.[6] The following states may allow you to expunge a DUI from your record:
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How to find and view your driving record
Your driving record contains information such as points on your license, major traffic accidents and violations, license suspensions and revocations, DUI convictions, and more.
You can request an official copy of your driving record through the department of motor vehicles or driver’s licensing office in your state. In most cases, you’ll be able to do this online. If you prefer, you can make your request via mail or in person. It’ll likely cost you between $2 and $25, depending on where you live.
DUI on your record FAQs
It’s important to know how having a DUI on your record can affect you. The following information can help answer your remaining questions.
If you have a DUI conviction in one state, can you obtain a clean driver’s license in another?
The Driver License Compact (DLC) is an agreement that lets states exchange information related to traffic violations. It ensures that your DUI conviction and the consequences that come with it will follow you, even if you go to another state. So, if you have your license suspended in one state, any other state that belongs to the DLC will likely also suspend it.[7]
Can law enforcement arrest you for driving under the influence of marijuana?
No matter what state you’re in, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. This holds true even where recreational marijuana is legal. If a police officer catches you driving under the influence of marijuana, they can arrest you.
What happens if you have multiple DUI convictions on your record?
Multiple DUI convictions will result in additional or more serious legal, financial, and insurance consequences. Your state might even permanently revoke your license, meaning the department of motor vehicles (DMV) will cancel it so you can’t re-instate it or drive legally.[8]
What is the penalty for drunk driving?
The penalties for drunk driving vary by state. In most cases, however, they include hefty fines, jail time, a required interlock ignition device, community service hours, and a license suspension or revocation.
Does a DUI count as a misdemeanor or a felony charge?
In most states, a first-time DUI conviction is a misdemeanor. But it’s a felony if your DUI involves a fatality, you had a very high blood alcohol concentration, you were driving with children while under the influence, or you’ve had multiple convictions.[9]
Can you get your DWI expunged in Minnesota?
Yes. You can get your DWI conviction expunged in the state of Minnesota in some cases. Depending on the severity of your offense, you may qualify to try to expunge your DWI offense between two and five years following the offense.
Other states that allow expungement in some cases include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
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Sources
- Responsibility.org. "State Law: DUI Look-Back Periods."
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Drunk Driving."
- American Addiction Centers. "The Financial Cost of a DUI."
- NOLO. "DUI or DWI Punishments and Penalties."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What if I can't find auto coverage?."
- FindLaw. "DUI Expungement Laws by State."
- FindLaw. "Moving Out of State With a Suspended Driver's License."
- NOLO. "Driver's License Suspensions and Revocations."
- NOLO. "Is a DUI/DWI a Felony Offense?."
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Anna BaluchInsurance Writer
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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