How Many Points Is a DUI on Your License?

A DUI adds 6 to 12 points to your driving record in most states that use numeric point systems, but 10 states do not assign points for DUI at all. Arizona assigns 8 points, California assigns 2 points, Florida assigns no points but suspends the license for 180 days to 1 year, and Texas assigns no points but suspends for 90 days to 2 years on a first offense. The point total matters less than the automatic consequences that accompany every DUI conviction: immediate license suspension, mandatory SR-22 filing for 3 to 5 years in most states, and insurance surcharges that can double or triple your premium for 5 to 10 years. Points fall off your DMV record in 3 to 5 years depending on the state, but insurance carriers look at the DUI conviction itself when pricing your policy, not the point value attached to it. In states that use conviction-count systems rather than numeric points, a DUI counts as a major conviction that triggers automatic suspension after the first offense. North Carolina, for example, does not assign points for DUI but revokes the license for 1 year on a first conviction and permanently on a third conviction within 7 years.

Insurance carriers classify DUI as a major violation and apply surcharges based on the conviction itself, not the point value your state assigns. A 2-point DUI in California and an 8-point DUI in Arizona both trigger the same surcharge category at most national carriers: high-risk driver with major conviction. The surcharge typically ranges from 80% to 200% of your base premium and lasts for 5 years in most states, though some carriers extend the lookback period to 10 years. A driver paying $140 per month before a DUI conviction can expect to pay $250 to $420 per month after the conviction, regardless of whether the state assigned 2 points or 12 points. SR-22 filing adds another layer of cost. The filing itself costs $15 to $50 annually, but the SR-22 designation signals to every carrier that you are a court-mandated high-risk driver, which limits your carrier options and keeps your rates elevated even after the points fall off your DMV record. Preferred carriers like State Farm and Allstate typically decline to quote drivers with an active SR-22, leaving standard and non-standard carriers as the primary market.

DUI points remain on your DMV record for 3 to 10 years depending on the state, but the conviction itself stays on your criminal record permanently in most states. Michigan removes DUI points after 2 years, California removes them after 10 years, and Florida does not assign points but the conviction remains on your driving record for 75 years. The DMV record and the insurance lookback period operate on different timelines. Points may fall off your DMV record after 3 years, but carriers can access your full driving history for 5 to 10 years when calculating your premium. A DUI that no longer shows points on your DMV abstract can still trigger a surcharge if it falls within the carrier's lookback window. Some states allow expungement of a first-offense DUI after completing probation and waiting a mandatory period, typically 5 to 10 years. Expungement removes the conviction from your criminal record but does not erase it from your DMV driving history, so insurance carriers will still see the violation during their underwriting review.

Most states suspend your driver's license immediately upon DUI conviction, with suspension periods ranging from 90 days to 1 year for a first offense and 1 to 5 years for subsequent offenses. California suspends for 6 months on a first offense, Texas suspends for 90 days to 2 years depending on BAC level, and Florida suspends for 180 days to 1 year. Many states offer a restricted or hardship license after 30 to 90 days of the suspension period, allowing you to drive to work, school, or court-mandated programs. To qualify, you must install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, maintain SR-22 insurance, and pay reinstatement fees ranging from $100 to $500. Reinstatement after the full suspension period requires completing all court-mandated programs, paying fines and fees, filing SR-22 proof of insurance, and in some states, retaking the written and road tests. The total cost of reinstatement typically exceeds $1,500 when you include court fees, SR-22 filing, higher insurance premiums, and ignition interlock device rental.

Preferred carriers decline most drivers with a DUI conviction, so your realistic options are standard carriers with high-risk divisions or non-standard carriers that specialize in major violations. Progressive, Nationwide, and The General write policies for DUI drivers in most states, though rates are substantially higher than clean-record pricing. Shopping after a DUI requires comparing quotes from at least 3 to 5 carriers because rate spreads for high-risk drivers can exceed 100%. A driver quoted $380 per month at one carrier may find coverage at $240 per month at another carrier with identical coverage limits. Non-standard carriers like The General and Acceptance Insurance often quote lower rates than standard carriers for drivers with DUI convictions. State minimum liability limits become tempting after a DUI because the premium is lower, but minimum coverage leaves you financially exposed in an at-fault accident. A 25/50/25 policy in a state like California provides only $25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage, which does not cover medical bills in most serious accidents. Increasing to 100/300/100 limits typically adds $40 to $80 per month but provides meaningful protection if you cause another accident while your DUI surcharge is still active.

Most states do not allow point removal for DUI convictions through defensive driving courses or point reduction programs. DUI is classified as a major violation that cannot be mitigated by voluntary driver improvement programs, unlike speeding tickets or minor moving violations that qualify for point reduction in many states. Expungement is the only legal method to remove a DUI from your record, and it is available only for first-time offenders in most states after completing probation and waiting 5 to 10 years. California allows expungement after completing probation, Pennsylvania allows expungement after 10 years with no subsequent offenses, and Florida does not allow expungement for DUI under any circumstances. Even after expungement, the DUI may still appear on your DMV driving record and remain accessible to insurance carriers during underwriting. Expungement removes the conviction from your criminal record, which helps with employment and housing applications, but does not erase the violation from insurance pricing algorithms.