Plain Policy Guide
DUI & Insurance

How Long Does a DUI Affect Your Car Insurance?

A DUI can stay on your driving record for 10 years or more and affect your premium for years. Here is how driving records, insurer lookback periods and SR-22 timelines fit together.

By Plain Policy Guide Editorial Team Published 3 min read

After a DUI, most drivers want to know one thing: when will this stop costing me money? The honest answer is that there isn't a single date. Three separate clocks decide how long a DUI affects your insurance, and they rarely end at the same time.

The three clocks that matter

ClockWho sets itTypical length
How long the DUI stays on your driving recordYour stateOften 5 to 10 years or more; California: 10 years for noncommercial drivers
How far back your insurer looksEach insurer (within state rules)Varies; a DUI usually counts longer than a minor ticket
How long you need an SR-22 or FR-44Your stateCommonly 2 to 3 years; Florida FR-44: 3 years from reinstatement

1. Your driving record

Insurers price you largely on your motor vehicle record, so how long the DUI stays there is the outer limit for most of its effect. Each state sets its own rules. California is a clear example:

  • The California Driver Handbook says all DUI convictions remain on your driver record for 10 years.
  • The DMV's record-request guidance says DUI convictions are reported on a noncommercial public driving record for 10 years from the violation date.
  • DUI-related suspensions or revocations that were never reinstated stay on the public record indefinitely; once reinstated, they stay for three years after the reinstatement date.
  • Commercial driver's license holders face a far longer reporting period.

Other states use different periods. You can request a copy of your own record from your state's motor vehicle agency to see exactly what is listed and when it is expected to drop off.

2. Your insurer's lookback period

Even while a DUI is still on your record, insurers decide how much weight to give it. Many look most closely at the last three to five years, but serious violations can count for longer. Experian cites a California example in which a DUI raised premiums for 10 years. Because each company sets its own rules, two insurers can treat the same five-year-old DUI very differently.

3. Your SR-22 or FR-44 period

If your state required a filing, you must keep it for the full period, commonly two or three years. Texas, for example, requires two years from the most recent conviction or judgment, and Florida's FR-44 lasts three years from reinstatement. When the filing ends, your price may fall a little because more insurers will consider you, but the DUI itself still counts as long as it is on your record and within your insurer's lookback. See SR-22 periods by state.

What a typical timeline looks like

  1. Years 1 to 3: highest premiums. You may need an SR-22 or FR-44, and fewer insurers will quote you.
  2. After the filing ends: more insurers become available. Re-shop as soon as the state confirms the requirement is over.
  3. Years 3 to 5: many insurers start weighting the DUI less. Prices often fall in steps at renewal.
  4. When it leaves your record: most insurers stop counting it. Ask for a re-rate or shop again.

A general pattern, not a guarantee. Your state's rules and each insurer's guidelines decide the actual timing.

How to recover faster

  • Keep the rest of your record clean. A new ticket or claim restarts the clock in the insurer's eyes.
  • Never let coverage lapse, especially during an SR-22 period. See what happens if an SR-22 lapses.
  • Re-shop every year. Insurers that wouldn't quote you in year one may be competitive by year three.
  • Mark the key dates: your filing end date and the date the DUI should leave your record.

To see how big the increase is in the first place, read how much a DUI raises insurance.

Next guideDo You Have to Tell Your Insurance Company About a DUI?

Frequently asked questions

Does a DUI ever come off your driving record?

In most states, yes, after a set period, though some states keep it longer or permanently for certain purposes. California, for example, reports DUI convictions on a noncommercial public driving record for 10 years from the violation date. Commercial drivers face much longer periods.

Will my rates drop automatically when the DUI is old enough?

Not always. Insurers re-check your record at renewal, so the change usually appears then. Compare quotes as each anniversary passes, because a different insurer may price you better sooner.

Does expungement remove a DUI for insurance purposes?

It depends on your state. Expunging a criminal court record doesn't always remove the conviction from your DMV driving record, which is what insurers usually check. Ask your attorney or DMV how expungement affects your driving record.

How long do I need an SR-22 after a DUI?

It depends on your state, commonly two to three years. Florida's FR-44 lasts three years from reinstatement. See SR-22 periods by state.

Sources

  1. California Driver Handbook, Section 9: Alcohol and Drugs, California DMV
  2. Request Your Driver's Record, California DMV
  3. How Do Traffic Tickets Affect Insurance? (March 12, 2025), Experian
  4. DUI Frequently Asked Questions, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  5. Section 9: SR-22 (Proof of Financial Responsibility), Texas Department of Public Safety

Sources were checked on October 14, 2026. Laws, fees and prices change; always confirm with your state agency or insurer.

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