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How long does a DUI stay on your driving record in North Carolina?
I made a stupid choice driving back to Matthews from Charlotte after a party a few weeks ago and now I have a DUI. How long will it be before a DUI comes off of my driving record in North Carolina?
Shannon Fitzgerald · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
A
DUI
will stay on your driving record in North Carolina
between seven and ten years. The length of time will be determined by the severity of the offense. Here’s how it works:
- Misdemeanor DUI/DWI—stays on your driving record seven years
- Felony habitual DUI/DWI—stays on your driving record ten years
The duration a drunk driving offense remains on your driving record is what is called a lookback period in North Carolina. Essentially, this means that the court can only “look back” through the determined number of years when using your driving record for sentencing purposes. Getting another DUI eight years after your first misdemeanor DUI, for example, would therefore only count as a first offense.
That said, because a DUI—or DWI, as North Carolina terms it—is a criminal charge, it will remain on your criminal record indefinitely, without exception.
Truly, receiving a DUI conviction is no joke. Not only is your driving and criminal record affected, but
your insurance rates increase significantly
, too. In situations like this, finding the lowest rate available to you becomes even more important—that’s where
Jerry
can help. The app is free to use, and instantly analyzes quotes from over 50 top insurance companies to narrow down the most affordable policies available for your driving background and coverage needs. The average user ends up saving $887 a year on
car insurance
, so it’s definitely worth a look to keep those elevated rates as low as possible. View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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