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Driving under the influence (DUI) can have long-lasting consequences beyond the immediate penalties. In Maryland, a DUI conviction doesn’t just affect your ability to drive—it can impact your record for years, influencing everything from job opportunities to insurance rates. Understanding how long a DUI stays on your record in Maryland helps clarify what to expect and how the legal and administrative systems track this kind of offense.
Maryland law treats DUI offenses seriously, and the state has clear guidelines on how long these convictions remain on your record. However, there’s often confusion between criminal records and driving records, each of which tracks a DUI differently. While your driving record impacts your interactions with the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), your criminal record can affect employment background checks and more.
This post breaks down the timeline of a DUI’s presence on both types of records in Maryland. It also explains how these records are used by different entities, whether or not expungement is possible, and how a past DUI can influence your future—even many years later.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand exactly how long a DUI stays on your record in Maryland and what that means for you in the short and long term.
Understanding the Two Types of Records: Driving vs. Criminal
In Maryland, a DUI conviction can appear on two separate types of records: your driving record and your criminal record. Each serves a different purpose and is accessed by different institutions.
Your driving record, maintained by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), is primarily used to track traffic violations, license status, and administrative actions related to your driving privileges. A DUI will be recorded here and can lead to points on your license, suspension, or revocation, depending on the severity and whether it’s a repeat offense.
On the other hand, your criminal record is maintained by the state’s judicial system and includes information about arrests, charges, and convictions. A DUI conviction will appear here as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances. This record can be accessed during background checks for employment, housing, and other purposes.
It’s important to note that these records operate independently. A DUI may drop off your driving record over time but still remain on your criminal record unless specific legal actions are taken.
How Long a DUI Stays on Your Maryland Driving Record
In Maryland, DUI violations remain on your driving record for at least five years, but they can be visible to the MVA for longer in certain circumstances. The exact duration depends on the number of offenses and whether your license was suspended or revoked as part of the penalty.
Maryland uses a point system to assess driving behavior. A DUI conviction adds 12 points to your license, which typically results in a license revocation. These points generally remain active for two years, but the violation itself may stay on your driving abstract longer for internal tracking.
Even after the points expire, insurance companies and the MVA can still see the DUI on your record. This can affect your car insurance rates, eligibility for certain license reinstatements, and future penalties if you receive another DUI.
The MVA also considers prior DUI offenses when evaluating eligibility for ignition interlock programs, hardship licenses, and other post-conviction options. That’s why the DUI stays in their system well beyond the two-year point expiration.
How Long a DUI Stays on Your Maryland Criminal Record
Unlike your driving record, your criminal record does not automatically clear over time. A DUI conviction in Maryland will stay on your criminal record permanently unless you take specific legal steps to have it removed.
Maryland does not allow expungement of convictions for DUI or DWI offenses. Even if you’ve completed all required penalties, served your sentence, and remained offense-free, the conviction will still appear in background checks.
This permanent record can impact:
- Employment applications
- Security clearance reviews
- Housing applications
- Professional licensing
Because the conviction remains indefinitely, employers and other parties who conduct background checks can still see it many years after the offense. It’s one of the reasons DUI laws in Maryland are considered among the more serious in terms of long-term impact.
The Role of Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in Maryland
Maryland offers a legal option known as Probation Before Judgment (PBJ), which can affect how a DUI appears on your record. If granted, PBJ means that you were found guilty, but judgment was deferred, and you were placed on probation instead of being formally convicted.
If you complete the probation successfully, no conviction is entered on your criminal record. This can be beneficial when undergoing background checks, as a PBJ does not count as a conviction for most employment or housing decisions.
However, the DUI still appears on your driving record and can be used against you if you are charged with another DUI within 10 years. The MVA and law enforcement agencies still track it, and insurance companies may still raise your rates.
PBJ is typically only available to first-time offenders, and it is granted at the court’s discretion. It’s not a guaranteed outcome and still carries serious administrative consequences.
Can a DUI Be Expunged in Maryland?
In Maryland, DUI convictions cannot be expunged, which means they stay on your criminal record permanently. Even with legal reforms and changing attitudes toward second chances, DUI offenses remain excluded from expungement eligibility.
There is an exception for DUI charges that were dismissed, nolle prosequi (not prosecuted), or resulted in an acquittal. In those cases, you may be eligible to have the arrest or charge expunged, but not the conviction itself.
If you received a PBJ, you may request expungement three years after the case’s resolution or after completion of probation, whichever is later. However, PBJ for DUI is also excluded from expungement unless specific conditions apply and are met.
This strict stance reinforces the long-term nature of DUI consequences in Maryland and highlights the importance of understanding how different case outcomes affect your record.
How a DUI Affects Your Record Over Time
While a DUI remains on your record indefinitely, its practical impact tends to decrease over time—especially if no additional offenses occur. Some of the key ways this happens include:
- Insurance Rates: These are usually affected most during the first 3–5 years. After that, many insurers consider the risk to have normalized—though this varies.
- Employment Background Checks: Employers may focus more on recent offenses. A DUI from 10+ years ago may carry less weight unless the role involves driving.
- MVA Considerations: The Maryland MVA tracks DUI history for administrative decisions. Prior DUIs from within the last 10 years are especially relevant when determining penalties for a new offense.
However, the offense never completely disappears, and depending on your career or licensing needs, it may be reviewed decades later. Knowing this can help you better plan for its long-term implications.
What Happens If You Get Another DUI in Maryland?
If you’re convicted of another DUI in Maryland, your prior offense will significantly impact your case. Maryland uses a 10-year lookback period to determine repeat offenses and enhance penalties.
Within this 10-year window, prior DUIs can result in:
- Higher fines
- Longer license suspension or revocation
- Mandatory ignition interlock installation
- Increased jail time
- Disqualification from PBJ or other leniencies
Even beyond 10 years, the prior DUI can still influence the court’s and MVA’s perception of your driving history. It won’t disappear from your record, and it may still be considered in administrative decisions or insurance evaluations.
Repeat offenses are tracked closely in Maryland, making the long-term presence of a DUI on your record particularly important to understand.
FAQ: Maryland DUI Records
Can employers see my DUI in Maryland?
Yes. DUI convictions appear on your Maryland criminal record, which is accessible during most background checks. If you received a PBJ, it might not count as a conviction but can still appear.
Does a DUI ever go away from your record in Maryland?
A DUI conviction does not go away. It remains on your criminal record permanently and on your driving record for several years.
Can I get a DUI removed after 10 years?
No. Maryland does not allow expungement of DUI convictions, regardless of how much time has passed.
Will my car insurance always be affected?
Insurance rates are typically impacted for 3–5 years, but some companies may consider DUI history beyond that.
What if I wasn’t convicted?
If your DUI charge was dropped, dismissed, or resulted in an acquittal, you may be eligible for expungement of the arrest record.
Conclusion
In Maryland, a DUI can remain on your driving and criminal record for years—or even permanently. While your driving record may clear some elements over time, the criminal side of a DUI conviction stays with you unless specific conditions allow for expungement. Even then, Maryland’s laws are strict about what can and cannot be removed.
Understanding how long a DUI stays on your record is crucial for anyone navigating the aftermath of a conviction or charge. It can influence your employment, insurance, and overall legal standing long after the case ends.
To learn more about the long-term effects of DUI convictions, visit the DUI Records And Long Term Impact page. For a deeper breakdown of how long a DUI stays on your record, check out our dedicated guide on How Long a DUI Stays on Your Record.