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How long will a DUI stay on my driving record in New Jersey?
I went to Atlantic City a few days ago and made some bad choices. I now have a DUI conviction. I’ve never even gotten a speeding ticket before so I’m really upset and ashamed about this. How long will this DUI affect my driving record in New Jersey?
Shannon Fitzgerald · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Hey, everyone has made bad choices in their life. So long as you didn’t hurt yourself or anyone else while you were driving in
Atlantic City
, you can think of this as a serious wake up call and improve yourself moving forward. Lessons aside, a
DUI conviction
will unfortunately stay on your driving record
indefinitely in New Jersey
. While this is a little disheartening, the state does follow a 10-year step-down rule that can improve your sentencing in the future. Essentially, if you for some reason make the same mistake ten years from now, it will be counted as a first offense again.
Note that this step-down process can only occur once, though—a third conviction more than ten years after your downgraded second will be considered a second offense.
Keep in mind: If your license is suspended and you need to get it reinstated, your insurance provider will need to file an
SR-22 form
on your behalf. On the bright side, New Jersey is one of few states that does not put DUI convictions on your criminal record. This makes it a little easier to apply for work moving forward, as criminal records are more readily accessible to law enforcement and the government than driving records.
Getting a DUI is certainly a hard lesson in making better decisions. On top of the limits to your driving privileges,
your insurance rates significantly increase
, too. But even with this setback, you can at least feel confident you’re paying the lowest rates available to you by downloading the
Jerry
app.The app is free to use, and instantly compares quotes from over 50 top insurance companies to track down the best premiums for your background and coverage needs. The average user ends up saving $887 a year on
car insurance
, so it’s definitely worth a look. View full answer
- Gregory R.
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