How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in California?
If you’ve been arrested or convicted of a DUI in California, one of your biggest concerns is how long it will follow you. A DUI can affect your license, insurance rates, job opportunities, and background checks, but the exact length of time it stays on your record depends on the type of record you’re asking about.
Here’s what you need to know about how long a DUI stays on your record in California and what, if anything, you can do to minimize the impact.
A DUI on Your Driving Record (DMV)
In California, the DMV keeps a DUI on your driving record for 10 years from the date of the arrest. During this period, the DUI can:
- Increase your auto insurance rates significantly.
- Count against you if you’re arrested for another DUI (leading to harsher penalties).
- Affect your ability to qualify for certain driving-related jobs.
After 10 years, the DUI automatically drops off your DMV record and will no longer impact your driving history.
A DUI on Your Criminal Record
A DUI is also a criminal offense in California, and that record does not automatically disappear after 10 years. Unless you successfully petition for an expungement, a DUI conviction can remain on your criminal record indefinitely. This means it may still show up in:
- Background checks for jobs, housing, or loans.
- Professional licensing reviews (nursing, law, teaching, etc.).
- Immigration or travel applications.
Expungement: The Key to Clearing Your Record
The good news is that many people are eligible to have their DUI expunged in California once probation is completed. Expungement allows you to:
- Withdraw your guilty or no contest plea and have the case dismissed.
- Legally answer “no” when asked if you’ve been convicted of a crime in most job applications.
- Remove the DUI conviction from most public background checks.
While law enforcement and the courts can still see the conviction, expungement offers a powerful way to move forward without a DUI holding you back.
Why It Matters for Future DUIs
Even if your DUI is expunged, it may still be used as a “prior” offense if you’re arrested again within 10 years. California law treats repeat DUIs within that window much more harshly, with higher fines, longer license suspensions, and possible jail time.
That’s why understanding how long a DUI stays on your record is about more than just background checks, it can directly affect your future legal exposure.
How a San Diego DUI Lawyer Can Help
Clearing or minimizing the impact of a DUI isn’t automatic. A skilled San Diego DUI lawyer can review your case, determine whether you qualify for expungement, and guide you through the process. They can also fight to reduce or dismiss charges before they ever become part of your permanent record.
Attorney Rick Mueller has helped countless San Diegans reduce the long-term damage of a DUI. With his experience in California’s DUI laws, he knows the best strategies to protect your driving privileges, your record, and your future.
Take Control of Your Record
A DUI may not stay with you forever, but the sooner you act, the sooner you can start putting it behind you. Don’t let a conviction limit your opportunities for the next 10 years or more.
Contact San Diego DUI lawyer, Rick Mueller, today for a free consultation. He can explain your options, fight for your future, and help you move past a DUI with confidence.
How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in California?