Driving under the influence in Virginia comes with grave consequences—both legally and socially. Apart from putting your life and that of other motorists & road users at risk, the charge stains your reputation forever. Plus, you compromise your chances of securing employment, applying for financial assistance, or university admission.
Not to mention that a DUI on your record will increase the cost of your car insurance. The state of Virginia doesn’t take too kindly to drunk driving and, therefore, imposes some harsh penalties to deter repeat offenders.
So, just how long is a DUI on your record?
Well, a DUI conviction in Virginia affects both your driving and criminal record. A DUI stays on your driving record for eleven years. But it taints your criminal record forever.
How Long A DUI Stays On Your Driving Record
Virginia, much like other states, uses the demerits point system to penalize you for questionable driving habits. In this case, the state places points on your driver’s license each time you violate road traffic rules. And this information subsequently goes on your DMV driving record. The number of points you receive from a DUI will depend on the nature of your traffic violation and, consequently, determines how long the conviction stays on your driving record.
In Virginia, lawmakers slam you with six points for driving under the influence. And according to the state, you’re guilty of this violation if you operate a motor vehicle while your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher.When found guilty of driving under the influence, not only do you get six points on your
driver’s license, but this conviction stays on your driving record for a good eleven years. Bear in mind that these eleven years are also known as the look-back period. In other words, it determines your future consequences should you rack up another DUI conviction.
If you’re charged with another DUI conviction within eleven years, you become a second-time offender. Needless to say, harsher penalties are in the cards when this happens.
How Long A DUI Stays On Your Criminal Record
As mentioned previously, a DUI conviction also impacts your criminal record. Unlike in the case of your driving record, where the DUI conviction falls away after eleven years, your criminal record is blotched forever. Mind you, that’s regardless of whether you’re a first-time, second-time, or third-time offender. In addition to a permanent criminal record, you also attract other consequences such as license suspension, required attendance at a VASAP course, payment of a fine, or jail time.
Can You Remove A DUI From Your Record?
You might be wondering if it’s at all possible to expunge a DUI conviction from your driving and criminal records. As it stands, you can’t. Unfortunately, having a criminal record affects other areas in your life, from securing employment, applying for child adoption, and immigration-related issues.
However, there’s some room to maneuver when it comes to removing a DUI from your driving record. While it’s designed to stay on your driving record for eleven years, there are a few ways to get around that and remove it.
The goal is to start accumulating safe driving points to replace your demerit points. Taking a driver improvement class and passing it earns you five safe driving points every 24 months. You can also accumulate safe driving points by avoiding any further traffic violations. Each calendar year you go without breaking the traffic laws earns you a point.
Fighting a reckless driving ticket is also another option to avoid piling up more convictions. But you’ll need a competent lawyer to pull that off.
Conclusion
Driving under the influence is never a smart idea. That momentary lapse in judgment can have dire consequences in Virginia. Not only does it stay on your driving record for eleven years, but it stays on your criminal record for life. You can remove the conviction from your driving record by attending a driver improvement class and practicing safe driving. However, you can’t remove it from your criminal record.
The best way around it is to avoid driving under the influence altogether. Depending on the circumstances, however, you can find the right DUI lawyer to fight for you and possibly avoid a conviction.