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A DUI conviction can follow someone long after the penalties have been served, especially when it comes to job searches, housing applications, and licensing opportunities. In Nevada, one of the most frequent concerns is whether a DUI will appear on background checks—and the answer is yes, in most cases, it will.
This blog post explains how DUI convictions appear on different types of background checks in Nevada, which kinds of records are reviewed, and how long that information stays visible. We’ll also clarify the difference between criminal and driving records, how employers and landlords use background checks, and whether record sealing can make a difference.
Whether you’ve been convicted or simply arrested for DUI, understanding how that history is reported can help you better manage its long-term impact.
How DUI Convictions Are Reported on Background Checks
In Nevada, a DUI conviction is recorded in your criminal history, and this information is typically accessible during most routine background checks. Once convicted, your DUI becomes a part of your public criminal record, which includes details such as:
- The type of offense (e.g., misdemeanor or felony)
- Date of conviction
- Court outcome and penalties imposed
For first and second DUI offenses, the charge is usually a misdemeanor, but that doesn’t make it invisible. Misdemeanors still show up during employer or tenant background checks.
If your DUI was charged as a felony—such as a third offense or one involving serious injury—then it will appear on background checks as a felony conviction, which may carry additional consequences for certain opportunities.
Unless the DUI record has been sealed, it will continue to appear on standard background reports.
Types of Background Checks That May Reveal a DUI
There are several types of background checks used by employers, landlords, and agencies in Nevada. A DUI can appear in one or more of the following, depending on the scope of the search:
- Criminal Background Checks – The most common type, which shows convictions, charges, and sometimes arrests. A DUI will be listed here unless sealed.
- Driving Record Checks – Typically pulled for roles that involve operating a vehicle. These show license suspensions, DUI convictions, and DMV actions.
- Employment Screening Reports – Used by employers and sometimes include both criminal and driving history.
- Professional Licensing Checks – Many state boards will examine both criminal and DMV records before granting a license.
Not all background checks are the same. A retail employer may use a basic criminal search, while a trucking company might request both a criminal record and a driving history.
The more sensitive or regulated the position, the more thorough the background check is likely to be.
Duration of Visibility: How Long a DUI Shows Up
In Nevada, a DUI remains on your criminal record indefinitely unless you take legal steps to seal it. That means it will continue to show up on background checks years or even decades after the conviction.
However, a driving record is different. A DUI generally stays on your Nevada DMV record for seven years, after which it is automatically removed.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Criminal Record: Permanent unless sealed
- Driving Record (DMV): Seven years from the date of conviction
Even if a DUI drops off your DMV record, employers performing a criminal background check will still see the conviction unless you have successfully sealed the record through the court system.
Impact on Employment and Housing in Nevada
Whether or not a DUI affects your job or housing prospects depends on several factors:
- The type of job or rental you’re applying for
- How recent the DUI conviction is
- Whether the DUI is a misdemeanor or felony
- Whether the record has been sealed
Jobs that involve driving, security clearance, or public safety are more likely to be impacted by a visible DUI. Even standard positions may be affected if the employer runs a thorough background check and has strict hiring policies.
Landlords may also view a DUI on a background check as a red flag, particularly in competitive housing markets.
That said, Nevada law does not prohibit employment based on a DUI conviction, and many employers make hiring decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Sealing a DUI Record to Limit Background Check Visibility
If your DUI is visible on background checks and causing barriers, one potential solution is to seal the record. While Nevada does not allow expungement, many misdemeanor DUI convictions may be eligible for sealing after a certain period of time.
Key points:
- First-time misdemeanor DUI: May be sealed seven years after the case closes
- Dismissed DUI charges: May be sealed immediately
- Felony DUI convictions: Not eligible for sealing in most cases
Once sealed, the DUI will no longer appear on most civilian background checks, including those used by employers and landlords. However, sealed records may still be accessed by law enforcement, courts, and certain licensing boards if required.
The sealing process involves filing a formal petition with the court and following a series of legal steps. If approved, the record is hidden from public access.
DUI Arrests Without Conviction: Do They Show Up?
If you were arrested for DUI in Nevada but not convicted, the arrest may still show up on a background check—unless sealed. This can happen if:
- Charges were dropped
- The case was dismissed
- You were found not guilty
Even without a conviction, an arrest record can be flagged by background checks and raise questions for employers or landlords. Fortunately, arrest records that didn’t lead to conviction can typically be sealed much sooner than conviction records—sometimes immediately.
Sealing a dismissed or dropped case is often one of the most effective ways to protect your reputation and avoid misunderstandings.
Commercial Drivers and Background Check Visibility
If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a DUI carries additional scrutiny. DUI convictions are tracked in both the Nevada DMV system and federal transportation databases, which means they may show up during background checks even if the offense happened in a personal vehicle.
Consequences for CDL holders include:
- One-year disqualification for a first DUI
- Lifetime disqualification for a second DUI
- Increased background check visibility, even across state lines
For commercial drivers, managing DUI records is even more critical, as the long-term career impacts can be significant.
FAQ
Will a DUI show up on a criminal background check in Nevada?
Yes. Unless sealed, a DUI conviction is recorded in your criminal history and will appear on most background checks.
Does a DUI appear on a driving record background check?
Yes, for seven years from the date of conviction. After that, it is removed from your Nevada DMV record.
Can a DUI arrest show up even if I wasn’t convicted?
Yes, but these can often be sealed immediately after dismissal or acquittal.
How can I stop a DUI from appearing on background checks?
If eligible, you can petition the court to seal your DUI record, which will prevent it from showing up in most civilian checks.
Will employers always see a DUI on my record?
Not if it’s sealed. Otherwise, most thorough background checks will reveal the conviction.
Can landlords deny housing because of a DUI?
Yes, although it depends on their screening policies. A sealed record will typically not appear during tenant background checks.
Do commercial driver background checks show DUI convictions?
Yes. DUI records are visible in both state and federal systems, affecting commercial driving eligibility.
Conclusion
A DUI will show up on most background checks in Nevada unless the record has been formally sealed. While a driving record DUI may drop off after seven years, a conviction on your criminal record will remain visible indefinitely unless action is taken to seal it. This visibility can affect employment, housing, and licensing—especially in regulated industries.
To learn more about how DUI convictions impact long-term visibility, visit our guide on DUI records and long-term consequences. For more detail on how these records appear during screenings, check out our post on how DUI convictions appear on background checks.