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In Maine, impaired driving is classified as Operating Under the Influence (OUI) rather than DUI. When someone is convicted of an OUI, one of the most important questions they often have is whether that conviction will show up on a background check—especially when applying for jobs, housing, or professional licenses.
This blog post explains exactly how OUI convictions are recorded and whether they appear during different types of background checks conducted in Maine. We’ll break down the difference between driving records and criminal records, who can access them, and what types of checks are most likely to uncover an OUI. Whether you’re applying for a new job or simply want to know what information others might see, this guide is designed to clarify how OUIs are reported and retained in Maine’s systems.
While background checks vary by purpose and depth, OUI convictions are very likely to appear on many types of reports. Understanding where your record shows up—and how long it remains visible—can help you navigate post-conviction challenges with greater clarity.
OUI Convictions as Part of Your Criminal Record
In Maine, an OUI conviction is a criminal offense. Most first-time OUIs are classified as Class D misdemeanors, though more serious cases may be charged as felonies. Regardless of classification, any conviction is added to your criminal record and becomes part of the permanent database maintained by the state.
Criminal background checks—especially those conducted by employers, licensing boards, or government agencies—will generally include OUI convictions. These checks pull data from court records, law enforcement databases, and national criminal registries. Once the conviction is entered into the system, there is no automatic expiration or removal over time.
In short, if you’ve been convicted of an OUI in Maine, that record will almost certainly appear in a standard criminal background check, unless a rare pardon has been granted (and even then, it may still be visible).
Will an OUI Show Up on an Employment Background Check?
Yes. In most cases, an OUI conviction will show up on an employment background check in Maine. The level of detail depends on how comprehensive the employer’s background screening is, but most professional checks will include both criminal history and driving records.
Employers hiring for roles involving driving, safety-sensitive tasks, or access to vulnerable populations (such as children, patients, or the elderly) are especially likely to review this type of information. Depending on company policy, an OUI conviction could impact your eligibility, particularly if the job involves operating a vehicle or equipment.
Some employers use third-party screening services that report both criminal and motor vehicle records. In these cases, both the criminal conviction and any related license suspension or BMV actions could appear on the report.
Housing, Volunteer, and Financial Background Checks
OUI convictions don’t just impact employment. In Maine, landlords, volunteer organizations, and even insurance providers may conduct background checks that reveal criminal offenses.
- Landlords: Rental applications often include criminal background checks. While a single OUI may not disqualify someone outright, it may raise concerns for property managers—especially if other charges appear alongside it.
- Volunteer Programs: Organizations that work with children, seniors, or at-risk groups typically conduct criminal background screenings. An OUI, even if years old, may lead to additional scrutiny or disqualification.
- Financial Institutions: Some financial institutions or insurers access public records as part of their risk assessment. While not always comprehensive, these checks may include court records that list an OUI conviction.
In all of these cases, the continued visibility of an OUI conviction can affect how a person is evaluated—even years after the incident.
Driving Record Checks and What They Show
In addition to criminal records, Maine maintains driving records through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). An OUI conviction is automatically recorded on a person’s official driving record, which is distinct from a criminal record but still important for background evaluations.
Employers hiring for driving-related roles often request Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs), which detail traffic violations, suspensions, and OUI convictions. These records are especially relevant for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders or any position that requires regular vehicle use.
Maine’s driving record system retains OUI convictions permanently, although only offenses within the past 10 years are typically used to enhance sentencing for future charges. However, for background checks, the presence of the conviction may still be noted regardless of its age.
Is There Any Way to Hide or Remove the Conviction?
Maine does not allow expungement or sealing of adult criminal convictions. That means once an OUI conviction is on your record, it cannot be erased through a legal process. There is no expungement law for adults in Maine, and criminal records remain accessible to employers, government agencies, and the public unless a very limited gubernatorial pardon is granted.
Even in the event of a pardon, the original conviction usually remains visible—it is simply marked as “pardoned.” The same is true for driving records. Maine does not offer any process for removing or hiding an OUI conviction from the BMV system.
This long-term visibility means that even old OUIs may continue to appear on background checks long after the legal penalties have ended.
When an OUI May Not Show Up
There are limited situations where an OUI might not appear in a background check:
- If charges were dismissed or you were acquitted, some records may be harder to find—but they are not automatically removed.
- Very basic background checks, such as those used for entry-level jobs without security or safety responsibilities, may not go deep enough to pull full criminal history.
- If the offense occurred many years ago, some private databases may have outdated or incomplete information, although official sources will still show it.
However, none of these scenarios guarantee privacy. Anyone seeking to conceal a past OUI conviction should assume it will be discoverable in most legitimate checks.
FAQ: OUI and Background Checks in Maine
Will an OUI show up in a background check for a job?
Yes. An OUI conviction will appear in most criminal background checks, especially for jobs involving driving or safety-sensitive roles.
Do landlords see OUI convictions on rental applications?
They can. Many landlords run background checks that include criminal records. A visible OUI may affect rental decisions.
Can you expunge an OUI in Maine to remove it from checks?
No. Maine does not allow expungement or sealing of adult OUI convictions. The offense remains on your record permanently.
Do driving record checks show OUIs?
Yes. An OUI is also recorded on your Maine driving record and can be seen in employer or agency checks involving MVRs.
What’s the difference between a criminal background check and a driving record check?
Criminal checks pull court and law enforcement records. Driving record checks show traffic violations, suspensions, and license actions. OUI appears on both.
Conclusion
In Maine, an OUI conviction will almost always show up on background checks—whether for employment, housing, volunteering, or licensing. Because the state does not offer expungement or sealing, the record remains permanently visible in both criminal and driving databases. For those with a past OUI, this long-term visibility may influence future opportunities and screening outcomes.
For more on how impaired driving records affect your long-term legal and personal standing, explore our DUI Records and Long Term Impact resource. To understand how OUI convictions specifically appear on screenings, visit our detailed guide on How DUI Convictions Appear on Background Checks.