If you’ve been charged with a DWI in Texas, one of the first questions running through your head is probably some version of: How long is this going to follow me? How long does a DWI stay on your record? It’s a fair question, and the answer might be a little more complicated than you think. The problem is that a DWI conviction doesn’t just affect your life right now; it can shape your job prospects, your insurance rates, and your background check results for the rest of your life.
Texas has some of the harshest DWI laws in the country, and unlike some other states, it doesn’t have a “lookback period” that wipes prior convictions from your record after a set number of years.
Keep reading to find everything you need to know about how long a DWI stays on your record, as well as what you can do about it. Or, if you or a loved one has been arrested, call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 or contact us online to start fighting it.
The short answer: a DWI conviction stays on your criminal record indefinitely in Texas
There’s no sugarcoating it. In Texas, a DWI conviction stays on your criminal record permanently. There is no automatic expiration date, no seven-year rule, and no built-in second chance. Once you’re convicted, that record follows you for employment screenings, housing applications, professional licensing, and more.
You may, however, have some limited options to address it. The permanence of these charges is why hiring an aggressive Houston DWI lawyer before accepting any outcome is so essential. A charge is not a conviction, but without a good DWI lawyer in your corner, the prosecution will have a much easier time turning it into one.
How long does a DWI stay on your driving record in Texas?
Your driving record and your criminal record are two separate things, and they generally operate on different timelines — but not really for DWIs.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains your driving record, and a DWI conviction for the DPS will typically appear for life. While it might fall off from being visible to everyone, insurers and employers will generally have access to older records, making it effectively permanent.
| Keep in mind that a DWI arrest also triggers a separate civil proceeding against your driver’s license. You only have 15 days from the date of arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. If you miss that window, you will face automatic Texas DWI license suspension. |
How long does a DWI show up on a background check in Texas?
Under Texas law, there’s no hard cap on how far back a criminal background check can go. Private employers, landlords, and licensing boards can generally see your full criminal history, including convictions that are decades old. A criminal background check in Texas will typically surface a DWI conviction regardless of when it occurred, unless the record has been expunged or sealed.
Federal employers and certain regulated industries (like transportation, healthcare, and financial services) have their own standards that often go back even further or are more scrutinizing than standard checks.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how DWI records typically surface across different types of background checks:
| Type of background check | How far back it goes |
| Standard employer background check | 7–10 years (varies by employe) |
| Federal employment or security clearance | Unlimited |
| Texas DPS driving record | Minimum 3–5 years; often longer |
| Texas criminal history record | Indefinitely (unless expunged) |
| Professional licensing boards | Indefinitely |
| Housing/rental applications | Typically 7 years |
The key takeaway: while some private employers limit their lookback to 7 or 10 years as a matter of policy, the record itself doesn’t disappear. A DWI conviction remains in state databases indefinitely.
Will a DWI from 20 years ago show up on a background check?
Yes. If it was a conviction and was never expunged, it will likely appear 20 years down the line. Texas does not automatically seal or expunge old convictions, so a DWI from two decades ago is technically as accessible to a background screener as one from last year.
That said, there are some exceptions. Many private employers use background check services that filter results to the past 7–10 years as a business practice. But for government jobs, professional licenses, law enforcement positions, and jobs involving children or vulnerable populations, there is typically no lookback limitation. A 20-year-old DWI conviction can still cost you an opportunity today.
For someone convicted of a DWI first offense in Texas at 23 years old, that same conviction can resurface at 43 or 63 — and it can still count as a prior offense if you’re ever charged again. Texas applies no lookback limit to prior DWI convictions for enhancement purposes, meaning a DWI from 30 years ago could still elevate a new charge to a second offense.
How long does a DWI stay on your record for employment?
For employment purposes, this depends largely on what kind of job you’re applying for and how thorough the employer’s screening process is.
Most private employers use standard background check services that are governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which recommends (but does not require) limiting criminal record searches to seven years for positions paying under a certain salary threshold. In practice, many employers set their own policies, and plenty go back further than seven years. You kind of have to hope you get lucky.
For jobs that require professional licensing, security clearances, or work with vulnerable populations, a DWI conviction is likely to surface no matter how old it is. Industries where this comes up most often include:
- Healthcare and nursing
- Education and childcare
- Financial services and banking
- Commercial driving (CDL holders)
- Government and law enforcement
- Law and legal services
The impact on employment isn’t just a hiring obstacle. Texas is an at-will employment state, meaning an employer can legally terminate your employment at any time, including if they discover a DWI conviction they weren’t previously aware of.
How long does a DWI stay on your record for insurance?
A DWI conviction will typically affect your auto insurance rates for three to five years in Texas, though some insurers look back further, and some will drop you entirely. After a conviction, you’ll likely be required to file an SR-22, a certificate of financial responsibility that signals to the state and to insurers that you’re a high-risk driver.
Here’s what you can generally expect on the insurance side:
- Immediate rate increases: Insurance premiums can double or triple following a DWI conviction, often adding thousands of dollars in costs annually.
- SR-22 requirement: Most DWI convictions require an SR-22 filing for a minimum of two years in Texas.
- Policy cancellations: Some insurers will drop you after a DWI conviction, forcing you into higher-cost coverage through non-standard carriers.
- Long-term surcharges: On top of insurance increases, the Texas DPS levies surcharges for DWI convictions of up to $2,000 per year for three years, depending on the offense.
The total financial hit from insurance alone can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars over the years following a conviction. That’s before factoring in fines, court costs, attorney’s fees, and the incalculable loss of opportunities.
Can a DWI be removed from your record in Texas?
It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either. There are some circumstances under which a DWI can be cleared from your record in Texas:
Case dismissal
If your case is dismissed, whether due to lack of evidence, an illegal stop, a suppressed test result, or another legal issue, you may be eligible to have the arrest expunged from your record. This is, realistically, the best way to avoid a DWI following you around.
Not Guilty verdict
If you take your case to trial and the jury returns a not guilty verdict, you’re eligible for expungement. You’d maybe rather not have to go to trial, but you need to do whatever it takes to fight your charge rather than accept a plea.
Deferred adjudication
For a first-offense DWI, deferred adjudication is sometimes available. This isn’t the same as an acquittal: you plead guilty or no contest and complete a probation-like program. If you successfully complete it, the charges are dismissed, and you may be eligible for a non-disclosure order (though not a full expungement). It’s not an option for second or subsequent offenses.
Juvenile convictions
If you received a DUI as a minor and were not convicted of a DWI as an adult, your juvenile record may be eligible for expungement once you turn 18.
Continue reading about the full process and eligibility requirements for DWI expungement in Texas
The bottom line: don’t let a DWI charge define your life.
A DWI conviction in Texas isn’t just a short-term problem. It follows you on your criminal record, your driving record, your background check results, and your insurance rates for years. Usually for life. The best way to limit those consequences is to avoid a conviction in the first place, and that means fighting the charge with everything you’ve got.
Mark Thiessen is a quadruple board-certified DWI specialist and ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist with over 140 Not Guilty verdicts and thousands of dismissed cases. He knows how to attack the evidence against you, whether it be breath and blood test results or the legality of the initial traffic stop — and he knows how to win.
If you’ve been charged with DWI in Texas, call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 or contact us online to start fighting back.
More Helpful Articles by Thiessen Law Firm:
- What Not to Do After a DWI Arrest in Texas
- 10 Myths About Drinking and Driving: Debunked
- How Does Blood Alcohol Content in Texas Impact DWI Charges?
- Acquittal vs. Dismissal: What’s the Difference in a DWI Case?
- Do I Need a Lawyer for DWI in Texas?
