Criminal records & expungement

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record?

Last updated June 16, 2026

A DUI stays on your criminal record permanently in most states unless a DUI attorney helps you expunge or seal it — your DMV and insurance records run on separate, shorter clocks.

Find the best DUI defense attorney for your case

Compare DUI defense attorneys ranked by their actual court-record activity and disciplinary standing — objective public record, no paid placement. Then verify any name against the official bar roster before you hire.

Browse DUI defense attorneys →Search for an attorney by name →

On your criminal record: usually permanent unless you petition to expunge or seal it.
On your DMV/driving record: a fixed number of years set by your state — often 3 to 10.
For car insurance: typically 3 to 5 years, on its own separate timeline.
A past DUI can still count as a sentencing 'prior' for years, even after it drops off your driving record.
Whether you can clear the criminal record depends entirely on your state — an expungement attorney can confirm.

Three different 'records,' three different clocks

There is no single answer because a DUI lives on three separate systems at once. Your criminal record (held by the courts and state repository) generally keeps the conviction forever unless a judge expunges or seals it. Your driving record (held by the DMV/BMV) keeps the DUI for a state-set period — commonly 3 to 10 years — after which it stops affecting your license points. And insurers run their own lookback, usually 3 to 5 years, to set your premium.

So a DUI can be 'off' your insurance and even your driving record while still showing on a criminal background check indefinitely.

What makes a DUI stay longer

Felony vs. misdemeanor — felony DUIs (injury, death, or repeat offenses) are harder to clear.
Repeat offenses, which extend look-back windows for sentencing and insurance.
Your state's statute — some never allow DUI expungement; others allow it after a waiting period.
Whether the case ended in a conviction, a dismissal, or an acquittal (the latter two are easier to clear).

How to clear it sooner

If your state allows it, expungement or sealing is the only way to remove a DUI conviction from most background checks. Start by pulling your own record so you know exactly what the conviction is, then check your state's DUI expungement statute or ask an expungement attorney whether you qualify. Before you hire anyone, verify their license and disciplinary standing for free.

2,047,933

attorney records across 45 states are searchable on this site right now.

Source: official state bar registration rosters.

Frequently asked questions

Does a DUI ever fall off your record automatically?

Off your criminal record, no — a conviction stays unless you expunge or seal it. Off your DMV driving record, yes — most states drop it after a set number of years. Those are two different systems with different rules.

How long does a DUI affect car insurance?

Usually 3 to 5 years, depending on the insurer and state. That window is separate from your criminal and driving records, so your premium can recover before the conviction is gone.

Can I get a DUI expunged so it stops showing up?

Sometimes — it depends entirely on your state. Some states allow DUI expungement or sealing after a waiting period; others exclude DUIs. An expungement attorney can confirm eligibility for your case.

Related guides

Numbers on this page are computed from official rosters — see our data sources & methodology. This guide is part of the criminal records & expungement series.

This site republishes official public records and is not legal advice, a lawyer referral service, or a consumer reporting agency. Information here may not be used to make decisions about employment, tenancy, or credit (FCRA). Records are shown as published by their official sources and may contain errors or be out of date; consult the linked official source to verify. To correct or dispute a record, contact the licensing authority of record.