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A DWI conviction in Arkansas doesn’t just impact your immediate driving privileges—it also becomes a lasting part of your driving record. For many people, the consequences of a DWI are felt long after court dates and license suspensions are over. One of the most common questions drivers ask is: how long will this stay on my driving record?
In Arkansas, a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) is considered a major traffic offense. Once you’re convicted, the charge is documented by the Arkansas Office of Driver Services (ODS) and added to your official driving record. This record is separate from your criminal history and is used by insurance companies, employers, and state agencies to evaluate your driving behavior over time.
Understanding how long a DWI stays on your driving record is important because it affects your insurance rates, job opportunities that involve driving, and how future violations are handled. Many people mistakenly believe that paying fines or completing probation clears their record, but that’s not the case when it comes to driving history.
In this post, we’ll explain how long a DWI stays on your Arkansas driving record, what it impacts during that time, and what happens after that period ends. We’ll also explore how this differs from your criminal record and what limitations remain, even years after the conviction.
How Arkansas Tracks DWIs on Your Driving Record
In Arkansas, driving records are maintained by the Office of Driver Services (ODS), which is part of the Department of Finance and Administration. These records track traffic violations, license status, and any administrative actions taken due to offenses like a DWI.
When a driver is convicted of DWI in Arkansas, the offense is added to their driving record, regardless of whether it’s a first-time or repeat offense. The driving record reflects the violation, the date of conviction, any license suspension periods, and any reinstatement actions. Unlike a criminal record, which is maintained by law enforcement and courts, a driving record focuses only on driving-related behavior and penalties.
DWIs are considered serious violations, so they are kept on file longer than minor infractions like speeding or seatbelt tickets. The presence of a DWI on your driving record may flag you as a high-risk driver to insurance companies and employers who require clean driving histories.
This record is routinely accessed by insurance providers during policy renewals and rate assessments. It’s also checked by employers hiring for positions involving commercial driving or vehicle operation. Even if your license is reinstated, the conviction remains visible, affecting your status as a driver in Arkansas for a set period of time.
How Long a DWI Stays on Your Driving Record in Arkansas
In Arkansas, a DWI stays on your driving record for five years from the date of the conviction. This five-year period is critical, as it affects multiple areas of your driving life, including your insurance premiums, the status of your license, and your risk rating as a driver.
During these five years, any subsequent traffic violations may be treated more seriously due to the presence of a prior DWI. For example, a second DWI offense within that five-year window can lead to enhanced penalties, such as longer license suspensions or increased fines. Insurance providers also use this window to assess whether a driver is considered high-risk, which often results in significantly higher premiums.
After five years, the DWI may no longer appear on standard motor vehicle reports requested by insurance companies or employers. However, it’s important to note that state agencies and law enforcement may still retain full access to your complete driving history beyond that five-year window.
The five-year retention period applies only to the administrative record managed by the ODS. It does not affect your criminal record, which follows a separate timeline and process. If you want to fully move on from the consequences of a DWI, understanding the differences between your criminal and driving records is essential.
The Difference Between Driving Records and Criminal Records
Many people confuse driving records with criminal records, but they serve very different purposes. A driving record tracks violations, suspensions, and points related to your driver’s license, while a criminal record documents arrests, charges, and court outcomes associated with criminal offenses—including DWIs.
In Arkansas, a DWI shows up on both records. On the driving side, the Office of Driver Services logs the DWI as a serious traffic offense. This affects your driving privileges, insurance rates, and your status as a licensed driver. The DWI stays on your driving record for five years.
On the criminal side, the DWI is recorded as a misdemeanor or, in some cases, a felony, depending on the severity and whether it’s a repeat offense. This criminal record remains visible indefinitely unless you petition for expungement and meet specific eligibility requirements.
One key difference is how these records are accessed and used. Driving records are typically requested by insurance companies, employers in transportation, and licensing agencies. Criminal records are accessed for broader background checks—like those for employment, housing, and professional licensing.
Understanding this distinction is important. You may be eligible to seal your criminal record, but your driving record will still show the DWI for the full five years. Clearing one does not automatically clear the other, so both need to be managed separately if you want to fully move forward.
How a DWI Affects Auto Insurance During That Time
A DWI conviction in Arkansas can significantly affect your auto insurance premiums for as long as it remains on your driving record. Insurance companies evaluate your risk level based on your driving history, and a DWI is seen as a major red flag. As a result, most drivers see an immediate spike in their premiums after a DWI conviction.
In many cases, Arkansas drivers with a recent DWI will be required to file an SR-22 certificate, which is a form that proves they carry the state’s minimum required liability coverage. This filing is typically required for several years after a conviction and often comes with higher costs and fewer policy options.
The five-year period that a DWI stays on your record is generally the same window during which insurance rates remain elevated. Insurers continuously check motor vehicle records during policy renewals, so even if you’re a safe driver afterward, the presence of a DWI keeps your rates higher until the offense ages off your record.
Once the DWI clears from your driving record, your insurance rates may begin to decrease—assuming no other violations occur. However, not all insurers automatically lower your rates, so you may need to shop around or request a reassessment to benefit from a cleaner record.
The key takeaway is that insurance consequences from a DWI are not short-term. They extend across the entire five-year period and can cost thousands of dollars in added premiums over time.
What Happens After the Five-Year Period Ends?
Once the five-year window ends, the DWI conviction is typically removed from your driving record in Arkansas, at least for most standard reporting purposes. This means it will no longer appear on the reports that insurers and employers usually request—leading to lower insurance rates and fewer driving-related restrictions.
However, it’s important to understand that some entities, such as state licensing boards and law enforcement, may still have access to your complete driving history beyond the five-year period. While it may not show up on a basic report, it’s not entirely erased from the system.
In terms of insurance, your premiums may decrease after the DWI ages off your record, but the change is not always automatic. Some drivers continue paying higher rates because their insurer doesn’t update the policy unless asked. In that case, requesting a new quote or switching providers could help lower your costs.
As for employment, if a company runs a motor vehicle report after the five-year period, they likely won’t see the DWI unless they request an extended history. For most non-driving jobs, the offense is no longer a factor at this stage.
Reaching the five-year mark is an important milestone, but it doesn’t mean the offense disappears from all records. It simply becomes less visible and less impactful in most daily situations involving your driving status.
Why You Can’t Seal or Expunge a DWI From Your Driving Record
While Arkansas allows for the sealing of certain misdemeanor DWIs on your criminal record, there is no legal process to expunge or seal a DWI from your driving record. This is because driving records are maintained separately by the Arkansas Office of Driver Services and follow administrative rules, not court procedures.
The only way a DWI leaves your driving record is through the passage of time. After five years, it may no longer appear in most standard checks, but there’s no way to speed up or remove it earlier—even with a court order sealing the criminal record.
This can be confusing for individuals who successfully expunge their DWI and believe it’s cleared across the board. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Insurance companies, employers requiring clean driving records, and commercial license evaluators can still access the ODS record.
This limitation makes it all the more important to maintain a clean driving record after a DWI. The best way to reduce long-term impact is to avoid further violations and let time do its work.
If you’re considering expungement of your criminal record, remember that it won’t clear your driving history—but it can still provide meaningful benefits in other areas of your life.
FAQ
How Long Does a DWI Stay on Your Driving Record in Arkansas?
Five years from the date of conviction. After that, it may no longer appear on standard motor vehicle reports.
Does Expunging a DWI Remove It From Your Driving Record?
No. Expungement only affects your criminal record. Your driving record is maintained separately and follows a fixed timeline.
Will My Insurance Go Down After Five Years?
Possibly. Many drivers see lower premiums once the DWI drops off their driving record, but you may need to request new quotes.
Can Employers See a DWI on My Driving Record?
Yes—especially for jobs that involve driving. After five years, it may no longer appear in routine checks.
Is There a Way To Remove a DWI Early From My Driving Record?
No. Arkansas law does not allow for early removal or sealing of a DWI from your driving history.
Conclusion
In Arkansas, a DWI stays on your driving record for five years, and there’s no legal way to remove it early. During this time, it can increase your insurance costs, limit driving-related job opportunities, and flag you as a high-risk driver. After five years, it may no longer appear in most standard background checks, offering some relief—but state agencies and certain employers may still retain full access to your history.
Understanding the timeline and impact of a DWI on your driving record can help you better manage your future decisions and expenses. While you can’t erase it early, you can minimize its effects through responsible driving, smart insurance choices, and by staying violation-free during the five-year window.
To explore the broader consequences of a DWI conviction, visit our guide on DUI Records And Long Term Impact. For more insight into how long these offenses stay with you, see our breakdown at How Long a DUI Stays on Your Record.