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Understanding How a DWI Affects Your Record in Missouri
In Missouri, a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) is more than just a traffic violation—it’s a serious offense with long-lasting consequences. Whether it’s a first-time charge or a repeat offense, one of the most common questions people have is: “How long does a DWI stay on my record?” Understanding this timeline is important for anyone dealing with the aftermath of a DWI conviction in Missouri.
This blog post will explore how long a DWI stays on both criminal and driving records in Missouri, how it can affect your life over time, and whether it’s ever possible to have it removed. Missouri law treats DWI offenses differently depending on the severity of the case, the number of prior offenses, and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. While criminal convictions often follow someone for many years—or even a lifetime—administrative records kept by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) follow their own timeline.
This article is designed to provide a clear, neutral explanation of how DWI records work in Missouri. It is not legal advice, and it doesn’t offer strategies for dealing with a DWI charge. Instead, it gives straightforward educational information so you can understand what to expect if a DWI ends up on your record in the Show-Me State.
DWI on Your Missouri Driving Record
In Missouri, when someone is arrested for DWI, it can lead to both criminal penalties and administrative actions that impact your driving record. The Missouri Department of Revenue handles driving records separately from the court system. Even if you are not criminally convicted, a DWI-related license suspension or revocation can still appear on your driving record.
For first-time offenders, a DWI administrative suspension typically lasts 90 days. However, the record of the suspension itself may remain much longer. Missouri retains DWI-related administrative actions on your driving record for five years if it was a first offense. If it was a second or subsequent offense, the record can stay on your driving history for ten years or longer, especially if it involved a refusal to submit to chemical testing.
Your driving record is often reviewed by insurance companies, employers, and sometimes rental car companies. Because of this, even administrative DWI records—without a formal conviction—can affect your life in unexpected ways.
How Long a DWI Stays on Your Criminal Record in Missouri
A DWI conviction on your criminal record typically lasts permanently in Missouri. While some offenses may be eligible for expungement (removal from your criminal record), most DWI convictions are not automatically removed, and some may never qualify for expungement at all.
Missouri law allows expungement for a first-time DWI offense, but only under specific conditions. You must wait at least 10 years from the date of the conviction or plea, and during that time, you must not have any additional alcohol-related driving offenses. Also, if the DWI involved injury, death, or was classified as a felony, it will not be eligible for expungement.
Because criminal records are visible in background checks, a DWI conviction can affect employment opportunities, housing applications, professional licensing, and more. In many cases, people find the long-term impact of a DWI conviction more damaging than the immediate legal consequences.
Expungement Rules for DWI in Missouri
Missouri offers a path to expungement for certain DWI offenses, but the criteria are strict. To qualify for expungement of a DWI from your criminal record, the following conditions must generally be met:
- The DWI must have been a first-time offense
- It must have been at least 10 years since the conviction
- You must not have had any other alcohol-related driving offenses during that 10-year period
- The offense must not have involved injury, death, or other aggravating circumstances
- The offense must not be a felony DWI
If you meet all of these conditions, you may petition the court for expungement. However, the process does not happen automatically. You have to formally request it, and the court has the discretion to approve or deny the request based on your case.
It’s important to remember that expungement affects your criminal record, not your driving record. Even if your criminal DWI is expunged, administrative actions like license suspensions may still be visible on your driving history.
How a DWI Record Affects Insurance and Employment
A DWI on your record can influence more than just your ability to drive. Insurance providers in Missouri often review your driving history when setting rates. A DWI typically leads to increased premiums for several years. Even after administrative records expire, some insurers continue to apply higher rates if they suspect prior DWI involvement.
Employment is another area where a DWI record can have long-term effects. While not all employers run criminal background checks, many do—especially for jobs involving driving, handling sensitive information, or working with vulnerable populations. A DWI conviction may limit your eligibility for certain roles or professional licenses.
In Missouri, even an expunged DWI may still be considered in certain situations, such as job applications for law enforcement positions or roles requiring federal background clearance.
Repeat Offenses and Extended Record Timeframes
The more DWI offenses you have in Missouri, the longer they stay on both your driving and criminal records. A second offense often becomes a felony, which is not eligible for expungement. Additionally, the Department of Revenue can impose longer license revocations, and those revocations stay on your driving record for extended periods.
Multiple DWI convictions can also lead to permanent loss of driving privileges, installation of ignition interlock devices, and other long-term restrictions. Missouri takes repeat offenses seriously, and the system is structured to retain a record of such violations for public safety and regulatory oversight.
Understanding that each additional offense increases the duration and severity of the record’s impact is important when evaluating long-term consequences.
Can a DWI Record in Missouri Affect Out-of-State Driving?
Because Missouri is a member of the Driver License Compact (DLC), a DWI offense recorded in Missouri may also affect your driving privileges in other states. The DLC is an agreement among most U.S. states to share information about serious traffic violations, including DWIs.
This means if you move to another state, your Missouri DWI may follow you. For example, the new state may use the Missouri conviction to determine license eligibility, insurance rates, or driving restrictions. Some states also consider out-of-state offenses when issuing penalties for new violations.
Even though laws vary by state, the record-sharing agreement ensures that a DWI doesn’t simply “disappear” because you leave Missouri. It’s important to be aware that these records may have broader implications than expected.
Frequently Asked Questions About DWI Records in Missouri
Can a DWI ever be completely removed from my record in Missouri?
Yes, but only in limited circumstances. A first-time DWI may be eligible for expungement 10 years after the offense, provided you meet strict eligibility requirements and have no other alcohol-related offenses.
Do administrative license suspensions stay on my record forever?
No. Missouri typically keeps these on your driving record for five years for a first offense and up to ten years or more for repeat offenses or refusals.
Will employers see a DWI if it was expunged?
In most cases, no. However, certain employers—such as law enforcement or federal agencies—may still be able to view expunged records under special circumstances.
Does a DWI in Missouri show up on background checks?
Yes. Unless the record has been expunged, DWI convictions will usually appear in criminal background checks conducted by employers, landlords, or licensing agencies.
Can I drive in another state if I have a DWI from Missouri?
Possibly, but it depends on the laws of that state. Because of interstate data sharing through the Driver License Compact, your DWI may impact your driving privileges elsewhere.
Do insurance companies always find out about a DWI?
Usually. Most insurers check driving records when setting rates, and a DWI is likely to result in higher premiums for several years.
Does expungement also remove a DWI from my driving record?
No. Expungement affects your criminal record only. The administrative driving record maintained by the Missouri DOR is separate and may still show a suspension or revocation.
Conclusion
Understanding how long a DWI stays on your record in Missouri helps clarify the potential long-term impacts beyond the courtroom. Both your criminal record and driving record may retain the offense for years—sometimes permanently—depending on the circumstances. While some first-time offenders may qualify for expungement after a decade, many DWI offenses continue to influence insurance rates, employment options, and overall public record visibility.
For more details on how these records affect your future, visit the DUI Records And Long Term Impact page. To dive deeper into the specific timelines and scenarios around record duration, see our full guide: How Long a DUI Stays on Your Record.