How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Utah

A DUI conviction in Utah stays on your criminal record permanently unless you obtain an expungement. The 10-year lookback period used for sentencing enhancements is not the same as the record duration. Employers, background check companies, and insurance providers can see a Utah DUI conviction indefinitely. Starting January 1, 2026, Utah’s Interdicted Person law adds additional consequences for prior DUI offenders.

Last updated: July 2026

Utah drivers often confuse the 10-year lookback period with a record expiration date. They are not the same. The lookback period, codified in Utah Code Section 41-6a-501, determines whether a prior DUI counts as a “prior offense” for sentencing on a new DUI charge. If the prior DUI occurred within 10 years, the new offense is charged at a higher penalty level. However, the underlying conviction does not vanish after 10 years. It remains on your criminal history and your driving record unless you take affirmative steps to remove it through the expungement process.

In 2025, the Utah legislature passed HB 273, creating the Interdicted Person designation effective January 1, 2026. This new law establishes a registry of individuals who have been convicted of certain alcohol-related driving offenses. The Interdicted Person status imposes additional restrictions beyond standard DUI penalties, including potential limitations on alcohol purchase and possession for certain high-risk offenders. This represents a significant expansion of Utah’s DUI enforcement framework and creates consequences that persist well beyond the completion of a sentence.

Does a DUI in Utah go away after 10 years?

No. A DUI conviction does not automatically go away after 10 years in Utah. The 10-year window in Utah Code 41-6a-501 is a lookback period used only for sentencing purposes. It determines whether a new DUI arrest is charged as a first, second, or subsequent offense. The actual conviction remains on your criminal record indefinitely. Even after the 10-year lookback window closes, the conviction is still visible to employers, licensing boards, and anyone conducting a criminal background check through BCI or the Utah courts.

The only way to remove a DUI conviction from your Utah record is through the expungement process. As discussed in our guide on DUI expungement, convicted DUIs require a 10-year waiting period from the date of conviction before you can petition for expungement. This is where the confusion comes from. The 10-year period for expungement eligibility and the 10-year lookback period run concurrently in most cases, but they serve completely different legal purposes. One is a waiting period, the other is a sentencing enhancement tool.

How does the Utah DUI lookback period work?

Utah’s 10-year DUI lookback period is codified in Utah Code Section 41-6a-501. The law states that a prior DUI conviction counts as a “prior offense” if it occurred within 10 years of the current offense. The clock runs from the date of the prior conviction to the date of the new arrest. If the prior conviction falls within that 10-year window, the new DUI is charged at the next higher penalty level. A second DUI within 10 years carries increased jail time, higher fines, and longer license suspension compared to a first offense.

A third DUI within 10 years is charged as a third-degree felony in Utah, carrying potential prison time of up to 5 years. This escalating penalty structure is the primary reason the 10-year lookback period matters so much. Many Utahns do not realize that out-of-state DUI convictions also count toward the lookback period. If you were convicted of DUI in another state within the past 10 years, that prior conviction will be used to enhance a new Utah DUI charge. The 10-year period is strict, meaning a conviction that is 10 years and 1 day old generally does not count as a prior offense.

According to the Utah Sentencing Commission, approximately 28 percent of DUI cases filed in Utah courts in 2025 involved defendants with at least one prior DUI conviction within the 10-year lookback window. Repeat offenders account for a disproportionate share of DUI-related fatalities.

Utah Sentencing Commission

How does a DUI affect your employment and background checks in Utah?

A DUI conviction on your Utah record can affect employment in several ways. Employers who conduct criminal background checks will see the conviction. Certain industries are more affected than others. Jobs that require driving, such as commercial trucking, delivery services, or rideshare driving, may be unavailable to you with a DUI on your record. Jobs in healthcare, education, finance, and government often require background checks, and a DUI conviction can affect hiring decisions, though the impact varies by employer.

Utah law prohibits employers from asking about expunged convictions, and applicants are not required to disclose expunged records. However, if your DUI is not expunged, it will appear on most standard background checks. Some background check companies only look back 7 years for certain reporting purposes under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, but this is a federal limitation on consumer reporting agencies, not a state law limit on what employers can discover or consider. Many larger employers use direct court database searches that go back further than 7 years.

How long does a DUI affect your insurance rates in Utah?

Insurance companies in Utah typically surcharge DUI convictions for 3 to 5 years from the date of conviction. The surcharge means your premiums increase significantly during this period. After 3 to 5 years of clean driving, most insurers will remove the DUI surcharge. However, the conviction remains visible on your motor vehicle record (MVR) provided by the Utah DLD indefinitely. While insurers may stop surcharging after 5 years, they can see the conviction on your MVR and may consider it when calculating your risk profile.

The length of time a DUI affects your insurance depends on your insurance company’s specific underwriting guidelines. Some companies surcharge for a flat 3 years. Others use a 5-year surcharge period. A few insurers may decline to insure you at all for a period of time after a DUI, forcing you into the high-risk insurance market. Shopping for insurance after a DUI is essential because rate differences between companies can be dramatic. Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and offer more competitive post-DUI rates than standard carriers.

What is Utah’s Interdicted Person law effective January 1, 2026?

Utah’s Interdicted Person law, created by HB 273 and effective January 1, 2026, establishes a new legal designation for individuals convicted of certain alcohol-related driving offenses. An Interdicted Person is someone who has been convicted of DUI or alcohol-related reckless driving and is deemed by the court to pose a continuing risk. The designation places the individual on a registry maintained by the Utah Department of Public Safety and imposes additional restrictions beyond standard DUI penalties.

Interdicted Persons face several new consequences. They may be prohibited from purchasing or possessing alcohol for a specified period. They must notify law enforcement of their address and any changes of address. The designation remains in effect for a minimum period set by statute and can be extended based on continued risk assessment. This law represents a fundamental shift in Utah’s approach to DUI enforcement, moving from a sentence-based model to a regulatory model that imposes ongoing restrictions similar to sex offender registration, though with less public access to the registry.

Can other states see your Utah DUI record?

Yes. Utah participates in the Interstate Driver License Compact and the National Driver Register. This means other states can see your Utah DUI conviction when you apply for a driver’s license in their state. The National Driver Register is a database maintained by NHTSA that includes information on individuals whose licenses have been revoked or suspended for DUI. When you apply for a license in any state, that state’s DMV checks the National Driver Register and will see your Utah DUI suspension or revocation.

This is particularly important for people who move out of Utah after a DUI conviction. The new state will likely require you to complete any remaining IID time, pay any reinstatement fees, and comply with that state’s own DUI-related requirements before issuing a license. Some states impose additional requirements on out-of-state DUI offenders that go beyond what Utah requires. The Interstate Driver License Compact ensures that a DUI follows you across state lines, though the specific consequences vary by state.

Does a DUI show up on your record after expungement?

After a successful expungement in Utah, the DUI conviction is removed from public view. Most private background check companies will not see it. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards that rely on standard background checks will not see the expunged record. However, certain government agencies, law enforcement, and some professional licensing boards can still access expunged records. For example, the Utah Bar, medical licensing boards, and law enforcement agencies may still see an expunged DUI.

It is also important to understand that expungement removes the court record from public access, but it does not erase the underlying event. Law enforcement still has access to the record internally. Some federal background checks, particularly for security clearances or federal employment, can reveal expunged records because federal databases are not bound by state expungement laws. The practical effect of expungement is that the DUI will not appear on a standard consumer background check, which is sufficient for most private-sector employment purposes.

Need legal help with a Utah DUI record?

A DUI conviction in Utah has permanent consequences unless you take action. With the new Interdicted Person law effective January 1, 2026, the stakes are higher than ever. An experienced Utah DUI defense attorney can advise you on record visibility, expungement eligibility, and strategies to minimize the long-term impact of a DUI on your life.

About the Author: Daniel Banks is a legal content strategist who writes about Utah criminal defense, DUI law, and personal injury law. His work helps individuals facing criminal charges understand their legal rights and options under Utah law.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with a qualified Utah criminal defense attorney for advice specific to your situation.