How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record? (Check Background for DUI)

How long does a DUI stay on your record?

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is one of the most serious driving offenses to appear on a background check, and individuals who have been charged with a DUI may be wondering “How long does a DUI stay on your background check?”

It becomes even more important when applying for a job that runs an MVR check, such as an Uber background check, UPS background check, or FedEx background check.

The answer to these questions is complicated and varies from state to state. But anyone can skip the questions and discover the contents of a background check result and how long something stays on your record, including DUIs, quickly by using a 7-day trial background investigation service or by learning how to get a copy of your criminal history.

Running a background check on yourself is crucial because a DUI is part of the public record, which means that people don’t need permission to run a background check on you and see the DUI charges or convictions.

This guide outlines all the state laws concerning DUI convictions (and multiple DUIs) as well as how to get a personal background check for DUI right now.

Check Your Background for a DUI Right Now

To get a background check on yourself, there are two steps involved.

Step 1. Visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and request a copy of your driving record.

There is usually a small fee for this record, but it’s typically less than $20.

Simply search the state’s website and navigate to “driving records request” or a similar screen. Fill out the records request form and pay for the report.

Step 2. Get a Criminal background check on yourself.

To do this, visit your state police website and navigate to the “background check” or “criminal records request” page.

Most state police departments have these tools easily accessible.

Fill out the background check request form and pay the fee for obtaining the personal background check.

How Long Does DUI Stay On Your Driving Record?

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – alternately DWI, OWI, OUI, or OVI – is one of the most serious driving violations an individual can be charged with, and it comes with a bevy of consequences for the offender.

In most states, a DUI is considered a criminal offense as well as a traffic violation. This means that a DUI can show up in various places on a background check, including criminal history and driving record.

So how long does a DUI stay on your record with the DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles)? In general, individuals can expect a DUI to appear on their driving record (MVR report) for a period of five to ten years, though there are several states which extend far beyond this.²

Under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act,¹⁶ an individual must give signed consent for an unauthorized individual to obtain their driving record.

First and second offenses are usually charged as misdemeanors, though each subsequent offense carries additional penalties. In several states, such as California, a third DUI is automatically upgraded to a felony which has extensive repercussions.¹⁵

Therefore, the length of time a DUI stays on a driving record is crucial in determining if someone is considered a first-time offender or a repeat offender.

How Long Does DUI Stay On Record Reports: All 50 States

A DUI arrest and subsequent driver’s license suspension appear on the MVR report from the date of the arrest, and conviction dates also appear on the DMV record.¹ The lookback period for DUI commonly extends from five to ten years from the arrest date on an individual’s driving record, but there are many states with notable exceptions.¹³

With so much individual variance from state to state, a look at all fifty states’ DUI laws is warranted. Use the table below for a quick reference on “lookback periods” or to access each state’s DUI laws.

Can You Pass A Background Check With A DUI?

Individuals with a DUI on their driving records and criminal history are likely anxious and concerned about their ability to pass a background check. The good news is that a DUI does not result in absolute, unqualified failure on a background check.

The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EOCC)¹⁷ advises employers to consider each candidate’s circumstances on a case-by-case basis and weigh the DUI conviction in terms of how it may affect the candidate’s ability to fulfill the requirements of the job.

Whether an applicant passes a background check with a DUI depends on many factors, including:³

• Level of DUI (misdemeanor/felony)
• Recency of DUI
• Number of DUIs
• Aggravating Factors/Compounding Crimes
• Employer Variables (nature of the job, company policy, individual discretion)

There are several variables related to a DUI conviction that mediate its impact on a background check. In most states, a first offense or second offense DUI will be charged as a misdemeanor. Several states automatically upgrade third or fourth offenses to a felony DUI.

• A DUI may also be charged as a felony if there are other factors (injuries, fatalities) that exacerbate the crime. Needless to say, a felony DUI will make it much more difficult to pass a background check than a misdemeanor DUI.
• The recency of the DUI conviction is important because a DUI within the last year is more likely to reflect an individual’s current mindset and behavior than a DUI from ten years back. A recent DUI equates to a greater hiring risk for an employer.
• The number of DUIs is a huge factor in determining whether an individual passes a background check. While a single DUI may indicate a lapse of judgment, multiple DUIs within a specified time frame is more likely to reflect an individual’s personality, overall judgment, and decision-making ability.
• Aggravating factors for a DUI may include issues such as possession of drugs on the person at the time of DUI, presence of a minor in the car at the time of DUI, etc., and this goes hand-in-hand with compounding crimes. If an individual is convicted of multiple crimes in a limited time period or multiple crimes at the time of the DUI arrest, this looks worse on a background check.

There are also several variables not directly related to the DUI which mediate its impact on a background check. The nature of the job applied for is a very big one, as driving jobs or jobs requiring a lot of responsibility for other people will be much harder to secure.

Additionally, some companies may have specific policies with regard to hiring an individual with single or multiple DUI offenses. A DUI will almost always raise a red flag on a background check, and it is up to the employer’s discretion whether an individual will pass a background check.

It is extremely important that an applicant be honest with the employer throughout the pre-employment process and explain the circumstances surrounding the DUI conviction and demonstrate behavioral change and rehabilitation when possible.³

How Long Does A DUI Stay On Your Record For Insurance?

Insurance companies evaluate an individual’s driving record when estimating insurance rates, so it follows that people want to know “How long does a DUI stay on your record for insurance?” In most states, car insurance prices will be affected by a DUI for three to five years.¹¹

A single DUI may result in as much as an 80% increase on a premium. However, in many DUI cases, insurance companies may be looking at the impact of multiple convictions on an auto insurance policy.

Many states use a point system to track traffic violations on the MVR report, and insurance quotes tend to correspond with the number of points on the driving record. Points do fall off of a record over time if no further violations occur, but insurers can be expected to look at the last five years of a person’s driving history.¹³

A DUI conviction can be very intimidating for individuals seeking employment, particularly as the time for a background check arises. Persons asking “How long does a DUI stay on your record?” or “How long does a DUI stay on your background check?” should check their backgrounds by running a background check on themselves for DUI convictions in order to see if the DUI is still a problem.