How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Arizona?

How long does a DUI stay on your record in Arizona? Here is the direct answer: a DUI conviction stays on your Arizona criminal record permanently unless a court seals it or sets it aside — it never falls off on its own. Your MVD driving record is a separate system, and the license points and violation entry there generally stop affecting you after about five years.

Our attorneys have spent decades defending DUI cases across Arizona. Old DUIs are one of the most common things people call us about, because one bad night keeps showing up on background checks years later. The good news is that Arizona law now gives you real tools to deal with it.

The Two Records: Criminal Record vs. MVD Driving Record

Most of the confusion around this question comes from mixing up two separate records.

• Your criminal record is kept by the courts and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. A DUI conviction stays there for life unless you get court-ordered relief. There is no automatic seven-year rule in Arizona.
• Your MVD driving record is kept by the Motor Vehicle Division. It tracks points, suspensions, and interlock requirements. DUI entries there generally affect you for about five years.

Insurance companies usually look back three to five years, so your rates typically recover long before your criminal record does. Employers and landlords, on the other hand, run criminal background checks — and a conviction can keep appearing on those indefinitely. If you are facing a new charge right now, start with our guide to Arizona DUI penalties in 2026 and talk to a DUI defense lawyer early, while the evidence is still fresh.

Sealing a DUI Record Under A.R.S. § 13-911

Since 2023, Arizona law has allowed many people to petition the court to seal their criminal case records under A.R.S. §13-911. Once sealed, the DUI generally stops showing up on most standard background checks. You must first complete your entire sentence — jail time, fines, classes, everything — and then wait:

• Two years for a class 2 or 3 misdemeanor
• Three years for a class 1 misdemeanor (this covers most regular DUIs)
• Five years for a class 4, 5, or 6 felony (this covers most aggravated DUIs)
• Ten years for a class 2 or 3 felony

Prior felony convictions can stretch those timelines, and sealing is never automatic — you have to file a petition, and a judge decides. Our set-aside and record sealing page walks through the process step by step.

What a Set-Aside Under A.R.S. § 13-905 Adds

A set-aside is a different tool. Once you finish your sentence, you can generally apply right away — there is no waiting period. If the court grants it, the case is dismissed and your record is updated to show the conviction was set aside. The conviction is still visible, but anyone who looks can see that you completed everything and the court closed the book. Many of our clients get the set-aside first, then seal the record once the waiting period runs out.

A Story From Our Practice

A while back, a working father came to us about a misdemeanor DUI from years earlier. He had done everything right since then — finished his sentence, paid every fine, stayed out of trouble — but the conviction kept surfacing when he applied for better jobs. We got his conviction set aside and then petitioned to seal the record once he became eligible. The court granted both, and the old case stopped appearing on the standard background checks that had been holding him back. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and every case is different, but his situation is very common — and often very fixable.

The Honest Limits: What Sealing and Set-Asides Cannot Do

We would rather you hear the limits from us now than be surprised later:

• Neither tool touches your MVD driving record. Points, suspensions, and interlock requirements run on their own separate clock.
• Law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts can still see sealed records. If you pick up a new DUI within Arizona's seven-year lookback window, the old one can still count as a prior.
• Not everyone qualifies. Certain serious and dangerous offenses cannot be sealed, pending charges will stall a petition, and prior felonies can extend the waiting periods.
• Nothing happens automatically. If you never petition, your record stays exactly as it is — permanently.

An experienced criminal defense attorney can tell you quickly whether you qualify and which path fits your situation.

Get a Free Consultation on Clearing Your Arizona DUI Record

So, how long does a DUI stay on your record in Arizona? On the criminal side, forever — unless you do something about it. Call Your Phoenix Attorney at 623-335-4014 for a free consultation. A real attorney answers 24/7, we offer payment plans and transparent flat fees, and full representation is available in Spanish. Se habla español.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Every case turns on its specific facts. Speak with a licensed Arizona attorney about your situation.