DUI In California

Reader’s Question:

Back in 2006, I was convicted for DUI in New Jersey and I moved here in California just recently. How long will my DUI in NJ remain on my driving record and influence my auto insurance premiums here in CA?

Garrett

Berkeley, CA

Your DUI conviction in 2006 would be a part of your permanent Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record. Because you are now residing in California, you have to verify with the California DMV to determine if they have put your DUI or other traffic violations that were part of your New Jersey driving record on your new driving record as a resident of California.

In 2007, the reporting period for DUI violations became 10 years for all public requestors, which include auto insurance carriers. Before that, DUI violations stay on CA driving record for seven years. Under this new legislation, you might not be eligible for a good driver discount again until 10 years after you committed your DUI offense. Before 2007, a DUI may have been weighed up by auto insurance carriers for premium add-ons for seven years but currently, it could be taken into account for 10 years.

Because your DUI offense happened out of state, you can get in touch with the insurance regulator for CA which is the CA Department of Insurance to determine how long an auto insurance provider in CA can consider your DUI conviction in NJ from 2006. You can also get in touch with an auto insurance agent if you have any further questions about your auto insurance costs.

Reader’s Question:

How many years does a wet reckless remain on your driving record for in  California? Is it the same with DUI?

Amy

Arcadia, CA

Under the new California legislation law, any DUI violation under CA Vehicle Code will report for ten years. There are some other non-DUI violations such as wet reckless that will report to courts and police for ten years and may count against you for the purpose of determining increased penalties for repeat violators, but will continue to appear on a public driving record for only seven years.

So the new California law does effect your wet reckless violation in Arcadia CA but it appears a wet reckless is better for you than a DUI offense in the sense that it will only appear to your public driving record (the one employers and insurance carriers see) for seven years though the state of CA can continue to count it against you for ten years.

You may contact the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for more information with regards to your driving record and how the wet reckless violation affects it.

Reader’s Question:

Is there anyway to reduce the years for DUI penalty in California? How long will a DUI stay on my record?

Dexter

Bakersfield, CA

Effective January 1, 2007, any CA DUI offense on your record will appear for 10 years from the violation date. The new law extends the reporting period for DUI offenses from 7 to 10 years for all public requestors, including insurance companies. According to the new law, drivers with DUI occurring within the past 10 years are not entitled to receive a good driver discount.

DUI offense that occurred more than 10 years ago will no longer appear on your public driving record. At then end of the 10-year reporting window, it will automatically be taken off.

As to the reduction of the penalty for traffic violations in CA, the law stipulates various offense penalties according to the circumstances of your DUI and non-DUI violations. For more accurate information, contact the court found on your ticket issued