Reader’s Question:

My cousin got a DUI and he’s only 17, when he turns 18 will it go off his driving record? How will this affect his insurance rate?

June

Fresno, CA

In most states a DUI or DWI will stay on a driving record for a number of years, regardless if the person was a minor when they made the violation or not. For instance in California it is typically 7 years.

The state in which your cousin lives might have different laws than the state you are in so check with the department of motor vehicles to see how many years it will stay on your cousin’s record and to see if they have different rules for this if the DWI was received as a minor.

If the DUI continues to be on his driving record than it will likely affect his auto insurance rates by putting him in a higher risk category.