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Understanding How Long a DWI Stays on Your Driving Record in Missouri
A DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in Missouri affects more than just your legal status—it also leaves a mark on your driving record that can influence your daily life in unexpected ways. Unlike your criminal record, which may require a background check to view, your driving record is used routinely by insurance companies, licensing agencies, and sometimes employers.
This article offers a clear, educational explanation of how long a DWI stays on your driving record in Missouri. It does not provide legal advice or promote legal strategies. Instead, the goal is to explain the duration and visibility of DWI-related actions recorded by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR), and how those records can affect your life over time.
Missouri law treats administrative and criminal DWI matters separately. While a DWI conviction may go on your criminal record permanently, the administrative consequences—such as license suspensions and revocations—are tracked by the DOR and have their own timelines. Understanding these differences is important for anyone who has faced or is currently facing a DWI charge in the state.
Administrative vs. Criminal Records: What’s the Difference?
When someone is arrested for DWI in Missouri, two types of records may be created:
- Criminal Record – Created when a person is convicted in court. This record is managed by the court system and can stay on file permanently unless expunged.
- Driving Record – Managed by the Missouri Department of Revenue. This includes administrative penalties such as license suspensions, revocations, points assessments, and test refusals.
A person can have administrative penalties applied to their driving record even if they are not convicted in court. For example, refusing to take a breath test during a DWI stop can result in a one-year license revocation under Missouri’s implied consent law, and this action will be reflected on the driving record.
Because insurance providers and employers may regularly check driving records, it’s essential to understand how long these administrative notations remain visible in Missouri.
How Long a DWI Stays on a Missouri Driving Record
The amount of time a DWI stays on your Missouri driving record depends on whether it was a first offense, a repeat offense, or if it involved test refusal:
- First Offense DWI – The administrative suspension typically remains on your record for five years.
- Second or Subsequent Offenses – The DWI-related action can remain on your record for ten years or more, depending on the severity and outcome of the case.
- Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test – If you refuse a breath, blood, or urine test, Missouri law imposes a one-year license revocation, and this refusal remains on your record for ten years.
These timeframes apply to the administrative side of a DWI arrest and are separate from any criminal charges that may result. Once the record has expired, it may no longer appear in standard driving history checks, but some agencies or insurers may still retain internal records of past violations.
Impact on Insurance and Licensing
Driving records are a major factor in determining auto insurance rates in Missouri. After a DWI, most insurance companies will consider you a high-risk driver, often resulting in increased premiums. Even after your license is reinstated, the DWI event on your driving record may influence your rates for several years.
In addition, Missouri may require drivers with a DWI to maintain SR-22 insurance—a type of high-risk insurance certification—for a designated period, typically two years. The requirement to file an SR-22 adds extra cost and administrative burden.
Driving records are also reviewed when renewing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or applying for certain occupational licenses. A past DWI on your driving history can limit eligibility for specific endorsements or certifications, even if the incident occurred several years ago.
Missouri’s Point System and DWI
Missouri uses a point-based system to track driving violations. When you are convicted of a DWI offense, the court reports the conviction to the Missouri DOR, which assigns points to your driving record:
- First DWI Conviction – Adds 8 points to your record
- Administrative DWI (no court conviction) – Adds 8 points
- Chemical Test Refusal – Results in license revocation but not additional points
Points remain on your driving record for 18 months, but the DWI offense itself—especially the suspension or revocation—remains for a much longer period (5 to 10+ years). Accumulating too many points within a short timeframe can lead to further license suspensions or revocations, so it’s important to know how DWI points affect your standing as a driver.
Driving Record vs. CDL Record in Missouri
For holders of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Missouri, a DWI has even more serious consequences. Missouri follows federal regulations that impose stricter rules for commercial drivers:
- A first DWI conviction will result in a one-year disqualification of your CDL
- A second offense leads to lifetime disqualification
CDL-related penalties are reflected not only in your Missouri driving record but also in the federal Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS), which is accessible nationwide. Because of this, a DWI offense in Missouri can end a commercial driving career even if it occurred off-duty in a personal vehicle.
These stricter standards make it particularly important for CDL holders to understand the long-term visibility of DWI records.
Out-of-State Sharing of DWI Driving Records
Missouri participates in the Driver License Compact (DLC), an interstate agreement through which most U.S. states share information about serious traffic violations, including DWIs. This means a DWI on your Missouri driving record can be reported to other states where you might apply for a license in the future.
Likewise, if you already hold a license in another state and are arrested for DWI in Missouri, your home state may take action based on the report from Missouri. Driving records don’t simply disappear when you move—especially with today’s data-sharing systems.
This nationwide transparency is another reason why understanding the duration and impact of DWI entries on your driving record is so important.
Frequently Asked Questions About DWIs on Missouri Driving Records
How long does a DWI stay on my Missouri driving record?
A first offense typically stays for five years. Repeat offenses or test refusals can remain for ten years or longer.
Can I remove a DWI from my driving record?
In most cases, no. Administrative actions tied to DWIs are not eligible for removal before their expiration period under current Missouri law.
Do insurance companies check my driving record?
Yes. Insurers often check driving history when setting rates or renewing policies, and a DWI will usually lead to higher premiums.
What happens if I refuse a breathalyzer test?
Refusal leads to a one-year license revocation and stays on your driving record for ten years, regardless of whether you’re convicted.
Is there a difference between criminal and driving records?
Yes. Criminal records are managed by the courts and law enforcement. Driving records are managed by the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Does a DWI on my record affect my ability to get a CDL?
Yes. A DWI can disqualify your CDL for one year (first offense) or life (second offense), depending on circumstances.
Does moving to another state erase my DWI record?
No. Missouri shares DWI-related driving record data with other states through the Driver License Compact.
Conclusion
A DWI stays on your Missouri driving record for years, not months. Whether it’s five years for a first offense or ten years for a refusal or repeat offense, these entries are more than temporary setbacks—they can influence your insurance rates, employment options, and licensing eligibility. While criminal records and driving records are tracked separately, both matter when evaluating the long-term impact of a DWI.
To better understand the broader consequences of a DWI in Missouri, visit the DUI Records And Long Term Impact page. For more information specifically about how long DWIs stay on your record, check out How Long a DUI Stays on Your Record.