How Long Violations Stay on Your Driving Record in 2025 (+ Who Has Access)
How long violations stay on your driving record depends on your state and the offense's nature. A DUI will stay on your record much longer than a minor traffic ticket. Violations on your record will raise rates as insurance companies check records. For example, DUI insurance starts at $108/mo.
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Chris Abrams
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Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed life and health insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chr...
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UPDATED: Dec 9, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.
UPDATED: Dec 9, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
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How long violations stay on your driving record depends on what state you live in, the seriousness of the violation, and other factors. However, most violations will be dropped from your record after three years.
Your driving record is immediately accessible and can be viewed by the Department of Motor Vehicles and by law enforcement officials such as police officers during a traffic stop. Read on to learn more about how long do violations go on your record and who can see your driving record.
Need to shop for cheaper auto insurance due to multiple violations? Use our free quote tool to find the best deal on car insurance.
- Violations usually stay on a record for at least three years
- A criminal driving record will show violations for longer
- A good driving record will result in lower car insurance rates
How Long Violations Affect a Driving Record
Most general moving violations will stay on a driving record for a length of time between 3 and 10 years. The more minor violations, such as rolling through stop signs, will likely stay for just a few years, while larger violations and those that result in accidents will have greater durations.
Want to know how far back can cops see your driving record? Take a look below to see how long does something stay on your driving record by state.
How Long Violations Stay on a Driving Record by State| State | At-Fault Accidents | DUI | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3 Years | 5 Years | 2 Years |
| Alaska | 3 Years | Lifetime | 2 Years |
| Arizona | 5 Years | 7 Years | 3 Years |
| Arkansas | 3 Years | 5 Years | 3 Years |
| California | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Colorado | 5 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Connecticut | 5 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Delaware | 3 Years | 10 Years | 2 Years |
| Florida | 5 Years | 75 Years | 3 Years |
| Georgia | 3 Years | 10 Years | 2 Years |
| Hawaii | 3 Years | 5 Years | 2 Years |
| Idaho | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Illinois | 5 Years | Lifetime | 4 Years |
| Indiana | 3 Years | 10 Years | 2 Years |
| Iowa | 3 Years | 12 Years | 2 Years |
| Kansas | 3 Years | Lifetime | 3 Years |
| Kentucky | 5 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Louisiana | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Maine | 3 Years | 10 Years | 2 Years |
| Maryland | 3 Years | 5 Years | 2 Years |
| Massachusetts | 6 Years | Lifetime | 6 Years |
| Michigan | 7 Years | Lifetime | 3 Years |
| Minnesota | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Mississippi | 3 Years | 5 Years | 2 Years |
| Missouri | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Montana | 3 Years | 5 Years | 3 Years |
| Nebraska | 3 Years | 12 Years | 2 Years |
| Nevada | 3 Years | 7 Years | 3 Years |
| New Hampshire | 3 Years | 10 Years | 2 Years |
| New Jersey | 5 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| New Mexico | 3 Years | 10 Years | 2 Years |
| New York | 4 Years | 15 Years | 3 Years |
| North Carolina | 3 Years | 7 Years | 3 Years |
| North Dakota | 3 Years | 7 Years | 2 Years |
| Ohio | 3 Years | 10 Years | 2 Years |
| Oklahoma | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Oregon | 5 Years | Lifetime | 3 Years |
| Pennsylvania | 3 Years | 10 Years | 2 Years |
| Rhode Island | 3 Years | 10 Years | 2 Years |
| South Carolina | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| South Dakota | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Tennessee | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Texas | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Utah | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Vermont | 3 Years | Lifetime | 3 Years |
| Virginia | 3 Years | 11 Years | 3 Years |
| Washington | 3 Years | 15 Years | 2 Years |
| West Virginia | 5 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Wisconsin | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
| Wyoming | 3 Years | 10 Years | 3 Years |
As you can see, there are differences in how states handle driving records. Violations on a South Carolina driving record will be different than how Florida handles driving record violations, so if you are looking into South Carolina driving records, bear in mind the state’s violation periods.
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Any criminal charges, such as a DUI, will remain on your record unless or until they are expunged (Learn More: How long does a DUI stay on your record?).
Suppose you are concerned about the state of your driving record after a violation. In that case, it is a good idea to contact a car accident lawyer, DUI lawyer, or other experienced attorney. Your attorney can help you do anything possible to clear your record so you can lower your insurance rates and get the other benefits available to good drivers.
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How Violations Affect Your Car Insurance Rates
Because it is possible for employers, insurers, and the police to view your driving record, a large number of violations can be detrimental. Your violations can disqualify you from some jobs, as others may access your driving record if they have good legal cause or your permission to do so. Anyone conducting a background check on you, for example, may view your driving record.
These people include prospective employees, landlords, and bank lenders. This means it is important to know how long a violation will remain on your record.
Your insurance company also has access to your driving record, especially if and when you apply for a policy. These situations are considered “good cause,” and the person making your policy determination has a right to the information. Several violations will result in higher rates, and you may also be rejected for auto insurance.
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Take a look at how different violations impact car insurance rates below (Read More: How Insurance Companies Calculate Your Car Insurance Rate).
Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record| Insurance Company | Clean Record | One Accident | One DUI | One Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $160 | $225 | $270 | $188 |
 | $117 | $176 | $194 | $136 |
 | $139 | $198 | $193 | $173 |
 | $80 | $132 | $216 | $106 |
 | $174 | $234 | $313 | $212 |
 | $115 | $161 | $237 | $137 |
 | $105 | $186 | $140 | $140 |
 | $86 | $102 | $112 | $96 |
 | $99 | $139 | $206 | $134 |
 | $59 | $78 | $108 | $67 |
A bad driving record is one of the biggest reasons auto insurance becomes expensive. Drivers with a DUI, for example, are considered more likely to participate in reckless driving behavior in the future, raising rates substantially.
If you have a DUI, you may be required to purchase high-risk auto insurance in your state until the DUI is off your record.
Case Studies: Understanding the Impact of Driving Record Violations
The cases below illustrate how a series of violations can negatively impact job prospects, especially in industries that prioritize safe driving records, as well as criminal records and auto insurance rates.
Case Study #1: Multiple Moving Violations
John, a skilled professional driver, accumulated multiple moving violations (Read More: How does a moving violation affect car insurance?). When he applied for a new job as a commercial truck driver, potential employers conducted a background check and discovered his extensive history of violations. Despite his experience, John was denied employment.
Case Study #2: Vehicular Manslaughter
Sarah was involved in a tragic accident where her intoxicated driving led to the death of another driver. She was charged with vehicular manslaughter and convicted. The violation remained on her Florida record for up to 75 years. Sarah faced legal consequences and limited opportunities as potential employers accessed her driving record.
Case Study #3: Clearing the Record for Insurance Benefits
Michael had a history of traffic violations, including several speeding tickets and a minor accident. Concerned about the increasing cost of his insurance premiums, he sought legal assistance to clear his driving record. By successfully clearing his record, Michael was able to secure lower insurance rates.
These cases highlight how certain violations can have a profound and enduring impact on an individual’s record, and they also exemplify how legal intervention and proactive measures can help individuals mitigate the adverse effects of past violations. It is always wise to seek driving legal advice if violations negatively affect your rates or employment.
Driving Violations and Your Auto Insurance
Violations can stay on your record for at least three years, and everyone from auto insurance companies to cops will check your driving history.
If you have a history of violations, it is important to work to clear your driving record to avoid increased rates, employment issues, and more. You will also need to take the time to look for the best car insurance for high-risk drivers.
Now that you know what’s considered a good driving record and what violations will raise your rates, you can shop for affordable coverage today after a violation by using our free tool. It will compare rates from companies in your area to find the best coverage deal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can police see your driving record?
Wondering can cops see your driving record? Yes, police can see your driving record and any recent accidents, tickets, or charges.
How far back can police see your driving record?
It depends on the state, but police generally can see the last several years of your driving record.
How long does negligent driving stay on record?
It depends on your state and whether the negligent driving resulted in a ticket or accident, but negligent driving, also known as careless driving, should be on your record for at least two years (Read More: What is careless driving?).
Can you look up your driving record?
Yes, it is possible to look up your record. Knowing how to check your driving record will help you quickly determine what violations may impact your rates. Usually, you can check your record by requesting your driver’s record from the DMV or your insurance company.
If you want to know how to check your driving record for free, you may be able to request a free report every year or so in some states.
Is your driving record available to the public?
While your driving record will never be available to the public, employers, insurance, and police can check your record.
How long do tickets stay on your record?
Tickets stay on your record for at least two years. If you can fight a ticket, such as a speeding ticket, it is recommended to do so because tickets have a determinantal effect on rates (Learn More: Advice on Fighting a Speeding Ticket).
How can I get my driving record cleared?
If you have violations on your record, you probably want to know how to get your driving record cleared. The answer is complicated and depends on your state, the offense’s nature, and other factors.
For example, you may be able to get a ticket cleared if it was for a minor infraction and you contest it in court. However, it will be much harder to clear a DUI from your driving record.
When does my driving record clear?
If you want to know when does your driving record clear after a violation, check the list of state regulations for how long infractions stay on a driving record. In most states, it will be at least two years.
What is a safe driving record?
Curious what is considered a good driving record? A safe driving record is the same as a clean driving record, meaning you have no accidents, tickets, or DUIs on your record. If you have a safe driving record, it is easier to get low-cost car insurance with driver discounts.
Does your driving record clear?
Most insurance companies only check back a few years, so while you will always have a record of tickets and accidents that are never completely erased, a few years later, insurance won’t consider it. Make sure to how to check driving history so you can keep up to date on your violations.
How long does it take to get a clean driving record?
Wondering how many years for a clean driving record? It usually takes a few years of being accident and ticket-free to have a clean driving record and see rate drops. If you want to find cheap car insurance today, compare rates with our free tool.
Can I get my NC driving record online?
Wondering how pull up my driving record in NC online? There is no option to get a free driving record in NC, but if you want to know how to check my driving record in NC, you can pay a fee online to the DMV for a copy of your record.
Want to learn more about car insurance in North Carolina? Read our guide on car insurance requirements in North Carolina.
What is considered a bad driving record for employment?
Wondering what happens when employers look up my driving record? Employers will look for serious criminal violations, such as driving under the influence.
Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.
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Chris Abrams
Licensed Insurance Agent
Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed life and health insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chr...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.