I was convicted of DUI in Pennsylvania. How long does it stay on my record?

George

Bethlehem, PA

It’s terrible to be convicted with DUI and unfortunately, a DUI in Pennsylvania stays on your driving record for 7 years. Pennsylvania started enforcing a new Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Law in 2003. The new law just created a tiered approach toward DUI enforcement and treatment, by including many changes to the terms of suspension, fines, penalties, and other requirements. This new law focuses on treatment for first-time DUI offenders rather than suspension and punishment.

Strictly speaking, licensing requirements and penalties are determined by the combination of an individual’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level and prior offenses. There are three levels of DUI in Pennsylvania: General Impairment (.08 to .099% BAC), High BAC (.10 to .159% BAC), and Highest BAC (.16% and higher).

You see, under this new law on DUI, school vehicle or bus drivers, commercial drivers, minors, and offenders involved in an accident that causes property damage or injures someone may be subject to the high BAC penalties even if their BAC is not in the high category.

It might be best for you to check on the latest legislation about Pennsylvania to verify the duration your DUI stays on your record since laws on DUI have become more stringent in PA in the last few years.

A: According to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) a whole lot. On average, the least amount you’re looking at paying for SR22 for DUI in one year is $3600, up to around $6000 dollars. Once you’ve picked your jaw up off the floor, there’s more where that came from. Car insurance isn’t the only cost of a DUI. Not only will your license be suspended for six months before you can even try to get it back, but you will have to pay a mountain of fees and fines. The average amount a first time DUI offender pays in all is close to $11,000. And that’s before insurance.

You also risk being unable to get insurance from many places if you have to file an SR22 for DUI conviction. Your current car insurance provider may cancel your policy and every other car insurance provider may say there’s no room at the inn for you. If that happens, you’ll have to get insured through the Pennsylvania assigned-risk pool, which is even more expensive.

Paying for an SR22 for DUI is no walk in the park, but it isn’t impossible either. If you look up car insurance discounts, compare rates, and keep your record clean, then you can save money and possibly look forward to cheaper car insurance rates in the future.