How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Insurance Record in California
Getting a DUI in California is expensive before you even talk to an insurance company. Fines, legal fees, license suspension — the immediate damage is obvious. But the part most people underestimate is what happens in the years that follow, quietly, every time they apply for car insurance or renew a policy. That long tail is where the real financial cost lives. A DUI in California triggers three separate timelines — and they run independently. Insurance impact: 3–5 years of elevated premiums DMV record: 10 years visible from arrest date SR-22 requirement: 3 consecutive years mandatory Simple Rule: Insurance = 3–5 years heavy impact | DMV = 10 years visible | SR-22 = 3 years mandatory Real Example DUI conviction in 2026: Insurance pricing impact → 2029–2031 SR-22 mandatory → until 2029 DMV record visible → until 2036 Standard market "clean slate" → after 2036 Practical Timeline Period What Happens 0–3 years Highest premium increase. Risk of carrier refusal. SR-22 active. 3–5 y...