How long does a DUI stay on your driving record in Canada? People often make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get a second chance. However, you must respect the law and the judgment from the court. So, to help you with the issue, we have explained everything you need to know about the duration of a DUI stays on a driving record. Let’s begin,
A DUI is a serious offence in Canada. It means that the driver was driving a vehicle under substance influence. This shows that the driver had little to no care for human life.
The Canadian Criminal Code recognizes driving under the influence (DUI) as a criminal act. If you are caught driving under the influence, you will face serious penalties. This will also add a DUI criminal record against your name.
How long does a DUI stay on your driving record in Canada? How does it affect your life in Canada, and what can you do to remove the record?
How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Driving Record in Canada?
Most drivers ask this common question. They want to know how long the DUI records will stay. The answer to this question is not so simple.
DUI on your driving record can stay as long as 80 years. There is no strict timeline on this. Also, DUI charges on your driving record will never automatically go away.
If you do not apply for a pardon, it will stay forever. It can then harm your legal rights as a citizen. If you are an immigrant, you may never be allowed to enter Canada again.
So, you must apply for a pardon. Different state has different rules on this. In Ontario, DUI records stay for 3 years after you have paid the fine. For most other states, it will remain for 5 years before you can receive a pardon.
What Does DUI Mean to Your Driving Record?
DUI means driving under the influence. It has another term in some countries as DWI. This means driving while intoxicated. Both the term suggests a similar thing. The definition of DUI or DWI is self-explanatory.
Police catch many drivers driving under alcohol or drugs influence every year. They are then charged with DUI charges. It adds a criminal record against your driving license, and also it can significantly impact your driving record.
Know more about impaired driving criminal code
DUI Effect on Driving Record
DUI charges can affect standard auto records in many states. This means that your driving license will be suspended. You can get the driving license back after a certain period.
But the record will remain in the DMV. This could make finding a driving job very tough. Your car insurance costs will rise significantly as well. And then, there is always an opportunity to face interrogation from law enforcers.
DUI Effect on Criminal Record
Most states will recognize DUI as a criminal offence. The first DUI criminal record of Canada is a misdemeanour. And the third DUI record is a felony. This will add a criminal history to your name. The effects are much significant than you can imagine.
Criminal records can take away many of your rights as a citizen. If the police arrest you again, you may face severe charges. You may even lose the right to child custody, firearm, employment, and other legal rights.
How DUI Affects Car Insurance?
DUI charges can affect your car insurance policy. You have lost your driving license, or there is a criminal record against you. It is obvious that the insurance company will want to get away from you.
So, the insurance after DUI will no longer serve you the same purpose as before. Some insurance companies may even drop you as their client. You may also face trouble when renewing the policy.
The DUI insurance rates will go sky high after you get back your license. The amount will depend on several factors. If it was your first DUI offence, you might not face a significant increase. The insurance company will also assess future risks. Your previous driving record can help you in this process.
Some states will also have requirements when you are renewing car insurance. There is three liability coverage that you must follow. These are:
- Bodily injury liability per person: it covers medical fees for injuries due to your fault.
- Bodily injury liability per accident: it also covers medical expenses from the accident.
- Property damage liability: it covers repairing costs for property damages.
How You Can Save on Insurance After DUI?
Once you get your license back, you can start finding suitable insurance companies. You are now a new driver with a bad track record. So, you need to save on insurance.
The first thing you can do is research around. There are many companies offering insurance to drivers. You can compare their rates and list the suitable ones.
After that, you can ask for discounts on your insurance premium. For example, not having any additional traffic violations can make you eligible for discounts. It would also help not to have any other bad records on your license.
Policy deductibles can also help you in this. You can raise your policy deductibles to get lower premiums. This also means that you will be paying more from your pocket after an accident.
Also, Check Vehicular Manslaughter
How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Criminal Record?
Your criminal history will follow you forever. You will immediately receive a criminal record if you are found guilty of DUI, also called driving while intoxicated, driving above the legal limit, or refusing to produce a breath sample. Anytime the authorities or a third party, such as an employer, perform a criminal background check on you, this record will show up.
How to Get DUI Pardon in Canada?
DUI charges are a very serious offence in Canada. Almost every driver is found guilty if arrested on DUI charges. But it is also a common charge to be pardoned from. At first, you need to understand two things.
When do you apply for a pardon in Canada? DUI charges can prove your conviction of the crime. But what if you are not convicted? In such a situation, you can apply for DUI removal from your record. This means that the authorities will remove any history of DUI charges against your name. But if you are convicted, you must apply for a pardon.
DUI pardon means that you no longer have a criminal record. You can get your privileges and rights back. But different authorities can still run a criminal check to your name.
DUI charges will also ask you to pay a fine for your crime. Even though there were no casualties, you will still need to pay the fine. It is best to pay the fine as soon as possible. You will get the pardon after 5 years of paying the fine. It is better to start the pardon process at least 12 to 20 months before.
The complete process will cost you $625 plus some extra costs. You will also have to pay $631 to the Receiver General. After this, you will get approval on your pardon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now, we have discussed the essential things that you should know about the duration of DUI staying on your driving records. However, we get many queries from our customers and other people who need this information for their purposes. So, to make it more convenient, we have come up with those most asked queries with an experienced answer from our team. Check out all questions and improve your knowledge about DUI.
Does a DUI Show on a Background Check in Canada?
If you are convicted, the DUI will show on a background check. Different employers, insurance companies, and immigration authorities can see your record.
How Long Does DUI Stay on Your Record in Canada?
DUI will stay forever on your record in Canada if you do not get a pardon. That is the only way to remove the DUI charges. Still, different authorities can find the criminal record when running a background check.
Will One DUI Ruin My Life?
One DUI will not ruin your life at all. The first DUI is a misdemeanour act. This means that you can still fight a case with a good lawyer. There will be some minor changes to your driving routine.
Can I Get a Canadian Passport with a DUI Conviction?
A DUI conviction will not stop you from getting a Canadian passport. But there are some factors to consider. If charges are severe, you may no longer enter Canada. This decreases your chances of getting a Canadian passport.
Does DUI Affect Your Credit Score?
DUI can affect many things in your life, but it is highly unlikely to affect your credit score. Your credit report will not include the DUI charges.
Final Words On How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Driving Record in Canada?
So, how long does a DUI stay on your driving record in Canada? The simplest answer is that it will stay forever, but you can try to remove it by getting a pardon.
An important point to note is that DUI charges are very serious. This means that several authorities can run a background check on you and find this record. It can hamper employment, legal rights, and immigration status in Canada. We hope now you have understood the case. If you want to know more about how long does a DUI stays on your record, get in touch with our lawyers and let them help to resolve your case.
