How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Florida?

Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most serious traffic offenses in Florida, and the consequences extend far beyond fines or license suspension. How long does a DUI stay on your record in Florida? A DUI conviction stays on your criminal record permanently, while a DUI conviction stays on your driving record for 75 years. A prior DUI conviction is considered a prior offense for additional penalties for only 10 years, until a fourth or subsequent violation.

The duration of a DUI on a driver’s record in Florida varies based on whether the record refers to driving history or criminal history.

Knowing the long-term consequences of a DUI can help you make smart choices for your future. This includes factors such as job opportunities, insurance rates, and eligibility for record sealing.

Impaired Driving Offenses in Florida

In 2024, there were a total of 12,999 persons impaired by drugs and/or alcohol in vehicle collisions in Florida, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Of these, 10,956 were impaired solely by alcohol.

Between 2013 and 2023, impaired-driving-related crashes comprised 34.21% of total traffic fatalities in Florida, according to state data. In 2020, there were 29,114 arrests for driving under the influence in the state and 2,808 in Hillsborough County.

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Florida Driving Record?

In Florida, a DUI conviction stays on your driving record for 75 years. The record is maintained by the FLHSMV. This is significantly longer than most traffic tickets, and a DUI will not be removed by attending traffic school or waiting a few years. This long retention period enables the DMV and insurance companies to monitor your driving history for potential future infractions.

A DUI on your record can drastically increase your insurance premiums and may disqualify you from jobs that involve driving. Even if it’s a first offense, the long-term visibility of a DUI can carry financial and professional consequences that last well beyond your court sentence or license suspension.

What’s The Lifelong Impact of a DUI on Your Criminal Record?

A DUI conviction in Florida creates a permanent entry on your criminal record.

Your driving record is accessible to insurance companies and law enforcement agencies, while your criminal record is available to employers and landlords, as well as licensing agencies and educational institutions. This can have serious consequences for your employment, housing, and career.

The DUI conviction stays on your record, even if the punishment involved only probation or a short jail sentence. If your DUI case was dismissed, there are ways to limit who can see the DUI on your criminal record, such as through expungement or sealing, but if you were convicted of DUI, it will be visible.

While certain offenses can be adjudicated without you pleading guilty, this isn’t possible with DUI offenses. Florida law prohibits a judge from withholding adjudication, so any guilty plea or finding of guilt results in a conviction.

Criminal records are public records and remain accessible indefinitely. A DUI can stain your reputation and limit your choices for life.

Can a DUI Be Expunged or Sealed in Florida?

For the most part, a DUI cannot be sealed or expunged in Florida. State law says explicitly that an offense is only eligible for expungement if the charge was not filed, not issued, dismissed, or resulted in an acquittal. An offense is only eligible for sealing if the person was not found guilty or delinquent for the charge and meets other requirements. This is the case even for first-time offenders.

Because adjudication cannot be withheld, the only way to seal a DUI is if your charge was dismissed or you were found not guilty.

If you were acquitted or the charges were dismissed, then expungement or sealing may be an option. But if you were convicted of a DUI, it will remain on your record forever. For that reason, it’s important to challenge the charge early and look at all of your legal options before you enter a plea or accept a sentence.

How Do Employers and Insurers See a DUI on Your Record?

A DUI conviction damages your record while also altering employer perceptions and insurance evaluations.

Most employers conduct background checks. Therefore, a DUI, especially if it involves driving, safety, or financial responsibility, can make a hiring manager think twice about bringing you on board. Some employers will turn down applications for any criminal conviction.

Insurance companies also frown on DUIs. It could result in a significant increase in your premiums for a period. The financial and professional repercussions of one DUI offense can exceed several thousand dollars over time.

The criminal record of a conviction can also be seen by landlords, schools, and professional licensing agencies, while your driving record can also be seen by law enforcement. These can lead to further consequences and frustrations in your life.

What Are Your Options for Relief?

There are options for securing relief that can help you avoid or minimize the consequences of a DUI offense. This includes:

1. Charge reduction. Some DUI offenses could be reduced in a plea deal, enabling you to plead guilty to a lesser offense like reckless driving. If adjudication is withheld on this offense, then your record could be sealed in the future.
2. Avoid conviction. The most effective way to avoid the consequences of a criminal conviction is to avoid being convicted. A strong defense could lead to an acquittal or dismissal of DUI charges. This makes it possible to expunge or seal the arrest on your record.

Avoiding the consequences of a DUI arrest is much easier when you hire a DUI lawyer. Working upfront to drop the charges is more effective than trying to expunge the record later, especially for DUI offenses.

An attorney can help you assess your options for a defense, including challenging a traffic stop’s reasonable suspension, an arrest’s probable cause, assessing the validity of chemical test results, and finding other flaws in the prosecution’s case against you. You have a much better chance at avoiding the lifelong consequences of a conviction with an attorney advocating for your rights.

FAQs

Does a DUI Show Up on a Background Check for Housing?

Yes, a DUI will show up on a background check for housing in Florida. A criminal history report is something that many landlords conduct, and because a DUI is not merely a traffic violation, but a criminal offense, it will show up in the report. Property managers may be concerned about prior convictions, even those from years ago, if your rental is in a stricter lease building. A DUI may not always be a deal-breaker, but it can be.

Can You Work Against a DUI to Avoid a Permanent Record?

Yes, working against a DUI charge is the only way to avoid having it permanently on your record in Florida. You must get the charge dismissed, reduced to a lesser offense, or be found not guilty at trial. Florida law prevents sealing DUI convictions from criminal records, which makes early legal representation crucial for avoiding permanent criminal convictions.

Will a DUI Stop Me from Getting a Professional License in Florida?

Yes, a DUI can affect your ability to get a professional license in Florida. Many licensing boards in these professions view a DUI as a sign of poor judgment or of being a potential risk to public safety.

A single offense will not automatically bar you from being licensed, but you will generally be required to disclose the DUI and be able to explain it when you apply. Multiple convictions are more likely to lead to a denial.

Can Employers Still See a DUI if It Happened a Long Time Ago?

Yes, employers can see a DUI on your record regardless of how long ago it happened. In Florida, DUI convictions remain on your criminal record permanently unless the case was dismissed or dropped.

Job background checks for positions in security, transportation, or finance often reveal convictions dating back a long time. The age of the DUI may affect the employer’s decision, but it will still be visible to the public unless it has been legally sealed.

Hire an Honest DUI Lawyer at Amarosa Law Firm P.A. – Trusted Tampa DUI Lawyers

If you are facing a DUI charge, an experienced Tampa DUI lawyer can help you navigate Florida DUI laws and provide invaluable legal assistance during your case. They can zealously advocate for your interests and work hard to mitigate the charges you face or even seek a dismissal, in some circumstances.

At Amarosa Law Firm, P.A., we advocate hard for our clients and can meet with you right away. We offer dedicated legal representation based on years of experience, and we can represent you in local courts like the Circuit Criminal Department in Hillsborough County. When you bring your case to us, we offer free consultations with no obligation, so that you understand how we can help you upfront.

Call Amarosa Law Firm P.A. to speak with a Tampa DUI defense attorney who won’t rest until they’ve done all they can to resolve your case positively.