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Getting charged with a DWI in Arkansas can leave a lasting impact—not just in the short term, but for years after the case is closed. One of the biggest concerns for many people is how long that conviction stays on their record. Whether it’s a concern about future job opportunities, insurance premiums, or background checks, understanding how long a DWI remains part of your history is critical.
In Arkansas, a DWI affects two separate records: your criminal record and your driving record. The timelines for each are different, and many people confuse them. Your driving record is monitored by the state’s Office of Driver Services and holds administrative data about your license and violations. Your criminal record is maintained by the court system and law enforcement, and it includes all charges and convictions—whether misdemeanors or felonies.
This article explains exactly how long a DWI stays on each record type in Arkansas. We’ll break down what happens to your record after a DWI conviction, how long the consequences last, and what options—if any—exist to reduce its visibility. You’ll also learn why sealing a criminal record doesn’t impact your driving record, and vice versa. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of the long-term scope of a DWI in Arkansas and what it means for your future.
How Long Does a DWI Stay on Your Criminal Record in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, a DWI stays on your criminal record permanently, unless you take legal steps to have it sealed. This means it’s visible on background checks for jobs, housing, education, and licensing for as long as the record remains unsealed.
A first-time DWI is typically classified as a Class A misdemeanor in Arkansas. More serious or repeat offenses can be charged as felonies. Regardless of classification, once convicted, the offense is recorded in the court system and becomes part of your criminal history.
Unlike some other states that allow automatic expungement after a certain time, Arkansas requires you to actively petition the court to seal your record—and only if you meet specific eligibility criteria. These include:
- It was a first-time misdemeanor DWI
- You’ve completed all court-ordered sentencing, including classes, fines, and probation
- You’ve waited at least five years after completing the sentence
- You’ve had no additional convictions during that time
Until your record is successfully sealed, the conviction will remain fully visible. Employers, landlords, and background check services will see it, which could impact future opportunities. Even if sealed, the record still exists and can be accessed by law enforcement and courts if necessary.
So, the answer is: forever, unless you go through the legal process to seal it—and not everyone qualifies.
How Long Does a DWI Stay on Your Driving Record in Arkansas?
Your driving record is maintained separately from your criminal record and follows a different timeline. In Arkansas, a DWI stays on your driving record for five years from the date of the conviction. After this period, it may no longer appear on basic driving history checks, such as those requested by insurance companies or employers.
During this five-year period, the DWI can have a significant impact:
- Higher insurance premiums
- Points against your license
- Limited job opportunities for roles that involve driving
- Increased penalties for future traffic violations or DWIs
Once five years pass, the offense typically no longer affects your driving status. That means you may become eligible for lower insurance rates, and employers conducting standard motor vehicle checks may not see the offense.
However, this doesn’t mean it disappears completely. Law enforcement and state agencies may still retain access to your full driving history beyond the five-year period, especially for legal or regulatory purposes.
Unlike your criminal record, there is no process to expunge or seal a driving record in Arkansas. You simply have to wait until the offense ages off naturally.
What’s the Difference Between a Driving Record and a Criminal Record?
In Arkansas, it’s essential to understand that a driving record and a criminal record are two completely different systems:
- Your criminal record includes all convictions for misdemeanors and felonies, including DWIs. It is managed by the court system and used in background checks for employment, housing, and more.
- Your driving record is handled by the Office of Driver Services and contains violations, points, suspensions, and license actions. It’s used by insurers, employers who require drivers, and law enforcement.
This distinction matters because each record serves a different purpose and follows a different timeline. While you may be eligible to seal your criminal record after five years, that has no effect on your driving record. Similarly, just because a DWI drops off your driving record after five years doesn’t mean it disappears from your criminal background.
Understanding how these systems work helps you better plan your next steps. You might be able to improve your public reputation by sealing your criminal record, but your driving record’s cleanup is tied strictly to the passage of time.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of a DWI on Both Records?
A DWI can continue to impact your life long after court dates and fines are behind you. On your criminal record, a DWI can affect:
- Job applications and background checks
- Professional licensing (nursing, teaching, legal, etc.)
- College admissions or financial aid
- Rental applications
- Volunteer and nonprofit work
On your driving record, a DWI can influence:
- Auto insurance premiums (often staying elevated for the full five years)
- Commercial driving opportunities
- Eligibility for certain types of vehicle licenses
- Penalty enhancements for future violations
Even if the offense is sealed on your criminal record, it still exists in some systems. And although the DWI drops off your driving record after five years, its effects—especially with insurance—may linger longer depending on the provider.
The biggest long-term issue is visibility. Background check services, insurers, and employers have access to different systems. A clean record in one area doesn’t guarantee a clean record in another. Knowing this helps you address problems proactively—by sealing your criminal record if eligible and tracking your driving record expiration date.
Can You Shorten the Time a DWI Stays on Your Record?
In Arkansas, you cannot shorten the time a DWI stays on your driving record. It remains for five years and there is no early removal process. Even if your criminal record is sealed, that change doesn’t transfer over to your administrative driving history.
For your criminal record, you can request sealing after meeting strict conditions:
- Only applies to first-time misdemeanor DWIs
- All aspects of your sentence must be completed
- You must wait five years after completing the sentence
- You must have a clean record during that time
If you meet these requirements, you can file a petition with the court to seal the record. Keep in mind that sealing is not automatic, and the court may deny the request based on other factors.
Sealing your criminal record won’t help with insurance costs, SR-22 requirements, or license suspensions—that’s all based on your driving record, which must follow the full five-year timeline.
So while you have some control over your criminal record’s visibility, your driving record must run its course before the DWI is no longer considered an active part of your driving history.
What To Do While You Wait for the DWI To Drop Off
If you’re waiting for a DWI to fall off your Arkansas record, there are smart steps you can take in the meantime to reduce its impact:
- Drive responsibly – Avoid further infractions or anything that could extend penalties
- Maintain full insurance coverage – Keep SR-22 filings or other requirements current
- Monitor your record – Request copies of your criminal and driving records to track changes
- Start sealing preparation early – Gather documentation and research eligibility before your five-year window ends
- Consider switching insurance providers – Rates vary, and shopping around can reduce premium costs even with a DWI
- Stay informed – Keep track of changing laws and eligibility rules in Arkansas related to record sealing
These steps won’t remove the DWI any faster, but they help you protect your future opportunities and keep your record clean going forward.
Even though the offense stays on your record for years, how you handle the aftermath makes a big difference in how much it impacts your life.
FAQ
How Long Does a DWI Stay on Your Criminal Record in Arkansas?
Permanently—unless you qualify for and complete the sealing process through the court system.
How Long Does a DWI Stay on Your Driving Record?
Five years from the date of the conviction.
Can You Expunge a DWI in Arkansas?
Only certain misdemeanor DWIs can be sealed—not expunged—and only after a five-year waiting period and other requirements.
Will My Insurance Go Down After Five Years?
Often yes, since the DWI drops off your driving record, but you may need to request a rate review or switch providers.
Does Sealing a Criminal Record Remove It From Driving Records Too?
No. Driving and criminal records are maintained separately. Sealing one does not affect the other.
Conclusion
A DWI conviction in Arkansas stays with you far longer than most people realize. While your driving record clears the offense after five years, your criminal record holds onto it indefinitely—unless you take legal action to seal it. These two systems work independently, and it’s important to understand the full scope of each.
Whether you’re concerned about job applications, background checks, or insurance premiums, knowing how long a DWI stays on your record—and where—is the first step in managing the long-term impact. And while time eventually helps with driving-related issues, sealing your criminal record may be the only way to reduce public visibility in other areas of life.
To understand the broader consequences of a conviction, explore our guide on DUI Records And Long Term Impact. And if you want to dive deeper into how long these offenses linger, check out How Long a DUI Stays on Your Record.