How far back does a driving record go?

The common record lengths

• Three years. The usual choice for insurance and most jobs.
• Five, seven or ten years. Often asked for by employers who hire drivers.
• Complete, sometimes called lifetime. Everything the state still holds.

Not every state offers every length, and the names differ. Our state pages list the record types each state issues and what each covers.

How long entries stay

Each state sets its own rules. Minor violations commonly show for three to five years. Serious offenses, such as driving under the influence, stay much longer, and in some states permanently. An entry that has aged off a three-year record can still appear on a complete one. See how long a speeding ticket and a DUI stay on your record in each state.

What employers and insurers look at

Insurers commonly look at three to five years. For commercial driving jobs, federal rules require the employer to check your record for the previous three years in every state where you held a license. Other employers set their own period.

Which to order

If someone asked for the record, order the length they named. If it is for you, the standard record shows your current standing. A complete record shows everything the state still holds.