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Understanding How Long an OWI Stays on Your Record in Michigan
In Michigan, impaired driving offenses are officially referred to as OWI—Operating While Intoxicated. If you’ve been arrested or convicted of an OWI in Michigan, one of the most common concerns is how long it will remain on your driving and criminal record. The answer isn’t always simple, as it depends on the type of offense, whether it’s a first-time or repeat violation, and how Michigan law treats record retention and expungement.
The long-term presence of an OWI on your record can affect many areas of life. It can influence car insurance premiums, employment prospects, background checks, and even your ability to travel internationally. Michigan has strict policies about retaining OWI offenses, and understanding these rules is crucial if you want to know what to expect moving forward.
This article offers a comprehensive, factual, and easy-to-understand breakdown of how long OWI offenses stay on your record in Michigan. It’s written for educational purposes only and does not provide legal advice or services. Whether you’re trying to understand the implications of a past incident or simply researching for informational purposes, this guide explains the essentials of OWI record timelines in Michigan without legal jargon or assumptions.
How Michigan Classifies OWI Records
In Michigan, an OWI offense can appear on both your criminal record and your driving record, each governed by different rules. A criminal record is maintained by the Michigan State Police and includes any misdemeanor or felony OWI convictions. A driving record is maintained by the Michigan Department of State and tracks offenses that affect your ability to operate a vehicle.
An OWI is typically a misdemeanor for a first offense but can become a felony under certain conditions, such as multiple prior offenses or causing injury. Regardless of severity, once an OWI conviction is entered into your records, it is shared with various government and background check agencies.
It’s also important to know that Michigan does not offer a “clean slate” period for OWIs on your driving record in the same way it might for other infractions. While points from the offense may fall off after a few years, the OWI itself remains visible for a much longer period.
How Long an OWI Remains on Your Driving Record in Michigan
An OWI conviction will stay on your driving record for life in Michigan. The Michigan Department of State keeps impaired driving offenses permanently, and they are not removed or sealed automatically over time.
However, the driver’s license points associated with an OWI offense typically remain for two years from the date of conviction. These points can influence license suspensions and affect how insurance providers assess your driving history.
This lifelong presence on your driving record means that any future interactions with law enforcement, court systems, or licensing agencies will reflect your OWI history. Insurance companies also use this information to calculate premiums, often resulting in increased costs for several years following the incident.
How Long an OWI Remains on Your Criminal Record in Michigan
Unlike driving records, criminal records can sometimes be modified through a process known as expungement, which removes certain convictions from public view. In Michigan, the law was updated in 2021 to allow for limited OWI expungement under specific conditions.
If you have a first-time OWI conviction, you may be eligible to apply for expungement five years after completing all sentencing requirements, including any probation, fines, or community service. However, only one OWI offense can ever be expunged. Second or third offenses are not eligible for removal under current state law.
It’s important to note that while expungement can clear your public criminal record, the conviction may still be accessible to law enforcement and some government agencies. Also, expungement does not affect your driving record—the offense will remain there permanently.
OWI Expungement Eligibility and Limitations in Michigan
Michigan’s expungement reform was a major shift, but it includes strict guidelines. To qualify for expungement of a first-time OWI offense:
- The offense must not have caused serious injury or death.
- At least five years must have passed since you completed your sentence, including any probation.
- You must not have any other OWI convictions.
- You must not have any pending criminal charges.
Even if you meet these conditions, expungement is not automatic. A formal application must be submitted to the court, and a judge has the discretion to approve or deny the request. The process can take several months and may involve a hearing.
Keep in mind that even if the court grants expungement, private databases or third-party background check services may still have access to outdated information unless they refresh their records.
How OWI Records Affect Employment and Background Checks
An OWI conviction can show up in standard criminal background checks, which may impact employment opportunities—especially in industries requiring driving, security clearance, or professional licenses. Many employers in Michigan conduct background screenings, and an OWI on your record may be viewed as a risk factor, even if it was a one-time mistake.
However, Michigan law includes “ban the box” provisions, which restrict employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. Still, once the interview process moves forward, a background check may still reveal the OWI unless it has been expunged.
Even with these limitations, it’s common for employers to consider context, such as how long ago the offense occurred and whether any subsequent legal trouble followed. Expungement can help by legally removing the conviction from most employment-related background checks, offering a chance to move forward with a cleaner slate.
Insurance and Financial Impact of OWI Records
In Michigan, an OWI on your record can lead to significant increases in auto insurance premiums. Insurance providers use your driving record to determine risk, and an impaired driving offense signals high risk. This often leads to mandatory high-risk coverage, known as SR-22 insurance, which can be expensive.
The financial effects of an OWI conviction typically last several years. Insurers may raise rates for three to five years, or longer depending on the severity and whether additional violations occur.
Michigan uses a no-fault insurance model, and while it helps with basic coverage, an OWI conviction still triggers premium hikes and eligibility limits with many insurers. Some companies may even cancel coverage or decline to renew your policy following a conviction.
Being aware of these long-term financial consequences is essential for managing costs and making informed decisions after an OWI incident.
Common Questions About OWI Record Duration in Michigan
Can an OWI ever be fully removed from all records?
An OWI can be expunged from your criminal record under specific conditions, but not from your driving record. Once it’s on your driving record, it stays there permanently.
How long does it take for OWI points to go away?
Points from an OWI conviction stay on your Michigan driving record for two years, but the conviction itself stays for life.
Does an OWI affect job opportunities in Michigan?
Yes, it can affect job prospects—especially in positions requiring driving or background checks. Expungement can reduce the impact, but it depends on the employer’s policies.
What is the difference between expungement and sealing a record?
Michigan uses expungement, not sealing. Expungement removes the conviction from public view, while sealing (used in other states) limits access but doesn’t erase it.
Can you expunge more than one OWI?
No. Michigan only allows one OWI expungement in a lifetime, and only for first-time offenses that meet eligibility rules.
Conclusion
Understanding how long an OWI stays on your record in Michigan is key to planning for the future. While the driving record impact is permanent, there are limited options for criminal record expungement if you meet certain requirements. The long-term effects on insurance, employment, and background checks highlight the importance of being informed.
To explore more about these long-term consequences, read our full page on DUI Records And Long Term Impact.
For detailed information specifically on this topic, visit our mini-guide on How Long a DUI Stays on Your Record.