 Written by Ben Breiner | Reviewed by Pamela Goforth, Licensed Insurance Agent | Updated Sept 3, 2026 Content reviewed for accuracy by a Texas-licensed insurance professional. |
A DWI conviction in Texas will stay on your criminal record permanently unless you take specific legal action — either expungement or a non-disclosure order, two different remedies with different effects. You’ll face increased insurance rates for 3-5 years after the conviction, and insurers will classify you as a high-risk driver during this period — including the SR-22 filing requirement tied to a DWI. The conviction impacts your driving record indefinitely in Texas, affecting employment opportunities and housing applications through background checks. While the statute of limitations may restrict when charges can be filed (2 years for misdemeanors, 3 years for felonies), this doesn’t affect how long the conviction remains on your record. Understanding your legal options can help you navigate potential solutions.
Criminal Record Time Frames
While many Texans assume a DWI conviction will eventually disappear from their record, the reality is more complex. Your DWI conviction will remain on your criminal record permanently unless you take specific legal action to have it expunged or sealed via a non-disclosure order. Insurance providers commonly raise rates for years after a DWI conviction, often tied to the SR-22 requirement that comes with it.
The statute of limitations — 2 years for most DWI misdemeanors, 3 years for felony DWIs — only determines how long the state has to file charges against you. It doesn’t affect how long the conviction stays on your record. Don’t confuse this with the common misconception that misdemeanors clear after 7 years — they don’t.
Without expunction or a non-disclosure order, your DWI will continue to show up on background checks, potentially impacting your employment prospects, housing applications, and other opportunities indefinitely.
Insurance and Driving Records
Although insurance companies view DWI convictions differently from criminal records, you’ll face significant consequences in both areas.
Your insurance rates will typically increase for three to five years after the conviction, as insurers consider you a high-risk driver. These rates may return to normal if you maintain a clean record during this period.
Your driving record, however, faces a permanent impact. In Texas, a DWI conviction stays on your record indefinitely — there’s no wash-off provision.
While insurance implications may improve over time, you’ll always have this mark on your driving record. This permanent record can affect your employment prospects, housing applications, and other opportunities throughout your life. Obtaining non-owner SR-22 insurance may be necessary for those seeking to reinstate their driving privileges after a DWI conviction without owning a vehicle.
Expungement and Legal Options
Despite the permanent nature of DWI convictions in Texas, you may have legal options available through expungement in specific circumstances.
If your DWI charges were dismissed or you were acquitted, you can pursue expungement to clear your record entirely. You’ll need to wait one year for misdemeanor cases or 3 years for felonies, unless there was an acquittal.
To begin the expungement process, you’ll need to file a notarized petition that complies with Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Your petition must include personal information, charge details, and agency addresses, along with supporting documentation such as dismissal orders or acquittal papers.
The court will schedule a hearing at least 30 days after filing to determine whether to grant your expungement request. If you were convicted rather than dismissed or acquitted, expungement typically isn’t available — a non-disclosure order may be the more realistic path, and it’s worth understanding how that differs from full expungement before deciding which to pursue.
Conclusion
You’re facing an uphill battle with a DWI in Texas, as it sticks to your record permanently in most cases. While the conviction remains etched in your criminal history, you do have options to navigate this — whether through legal channels like expungement or a non-disclosure order, or by patiently waiting out the insurance and driving record timeframes. Understanding which path actually applies to your situation is the first step toward a cleaner slate.
| Written by Ben Breiner | Reviewed by Pamela Goforth, Licensed Insurance Agent | Updated Sept 3, 2026 Content reviewed for accuracy by a Texas-licensed insurance professional. |