How Long Do OVI / DUI Points Stay on Your Record in Ohio?

OVI points stay on your driving record for two years from the date of conviction, but the conviction itself remains on your record much longer—potentially affecting your insurance rates, employment opportunities, and future legal consequences for years to come.

Understanding the distinction between points and the actual conviction is crucial for protecting your future. Here’s what you need to know about Ohio’s point system and how an OVI conviction can impact your life.

Understanding Ohio’s Point System for OVI / DUI

In Ohio, an OVI conviction adds six points to your driving record. These points serve as a warning system for the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to track repeat offenders and potentially dangerous drivers.

Note that points are separate from the criminal conviction record.

How Many Points Result in a License Suspension?

If you accumulate 12 or more points within a two-year period, the Ohio BMV will suspend your license for 6 months. Points will expire after two years.

How Can You Accumulate Points on Your Driving Record?

There are several ways you can accumulate points on your driving record:

• Moving violation: 2 points
• Driving with an expired license: 2 points
• Speeding: 2 or 4 points, depending on speed
• Texting and driving: 2-4 points, depending on the number of prior offenses
• Reckless operation of a vehicle: 4 points
• Fleeing or eluding law enforcement: 6 points
• Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination: 6 points
• Vehicular homicide, manslaughter, or assault: 6 points

This is a nonexhaustive list; for more examples and information about the point system, review Ohio Revised Code Section 4510.036.

How Do I Know How Many Points My License Has?

If you accumulate six points in a two-year period, the BMV will send a warning letter to the driver’s address on file. The letter lists the violations and the number of points accumulated as well as reinstatement requirements for a 12-point suspension.

A single OVI conviction brings you halfway to a license suspension.

Can I Reinstate My Driver’s License After a 12-Point Suspension?

It is possible to reinstate your license after receiving a 12-point suspension. The Ohio BMV outlines the following requirements:

• Serve the 6-month suspension
• Take a remedial driving course
• File a certificate of insurance for 1 year
• Pay a reinstatement fee
• Retake the complete driver’s license exam

Keep in mind that reinstatement may not be applicable in every case.

How Long Does an OVI Conviction Stay on Your Record?

While the points disappear after two years, the OVI conviction itself remains on your criminal record indefinitely unless you take legal action to have it sealed or expunged.

This means:

Driving Record Impact

• The OVI conviction stays on your driving record for life
• Insurance companies can see and consider it when setting rates
• Commercial drivers face enhanced penalties and longer disqualification periods

Criminal Record Impact

• OVI convictions appear on background checks
• Future OVI charges carry enhanced penalties based on prior convictions
• Employment, housing, and professional licensing can be affected

The Real Cost of OVI Points and Convictions

A 12-point suspension is just the beginning of the consequences. Many people don’t realize that the financial and professional impact extends far beyond when the points expire.

Insurance Rate Increases

Insurance companies typically review your driving record for the past three to five years when setting rates. Even after points disappear, your OVI conviction can continue affecting your insurance premiums for several more years.

Employment Consequences

Many employers conduct background checks that reveal OVI convictions indefinitely. This is especially problematic for positions requiring:

• Commercial driving
• Professional licenses
• Security clearances
• Jobs involving company vehicles

Administrative License Suspension: A Separate Issue

It’s important to understand that OVI cases involve two separate processes: the criminal case and the administrative license suspension (ALS).

If you refused a urine, blood, or breath test, or tested over the legal limit, you face an immediate license suspension separate from any criminal penalties.

ALS Timeframes

• First-time refusal: 1-year suspension
• First-time test failure (.08 BAC or higher): 90-day suspension

These suspensions begin immediately, regardless of your criminal case outcome

The ALS doesn’t add points to your record, but it creates a separate driver’s license suspension that runs independently of any criminal penalties you might face.

Defending Against OVI Charges: Why It Matters

Given the long-lasting impact of OVI convictions, fighting the charges becomes crucial. Many factors can affect the accuracy of sobriety tests and breathalyzer results, including:

• Medical conditions like acid reflux or diabetes
• Medications that can skew test results
• Body temperature fluctuations
• Improper test administration by law enforcement
• Equipment calibration issues

An experienced OVI defense attorney will examine every detail of your case, from what you ate and drank that day to any medical conditions or medications that could have affected test results.

If you’ve been charged with OVI, contact one of our attorneys as soon as possible.

Protecting Your Future: What Not to Do

While dealing with an OVI case, avoid these common mistakes that can make your situation worse:

• Don’t drive with a suspended license. Judges take this very seriously, and driving while under OVI suspension will significantly worsen your penalties and extend your problems.
• Don’t discuss your case with friends, family, or coworkers. Anything you say can potentially be used as evidence against you. Keep the details between you and your attorney.
• Don’t assume you’re guilty. Being charged doesn’t mean you’re guilty. Many OVI cases have viable defenses that an experienced attorney can identify and pursue.

Your Rights During an Ohio Traffic Stop

Understanding your rights during a traffic stop can help protect you from providing evidence that strengthens the prosecutor’s case. You must provide your license, insurance, and registration, but you’re not legally required to answer questions about:

• Where you’re coming from or going
• What you’ve been drinking
• When you last had a drink
• Other potentially incriminating questions

You have the right to remain silent, and you should exercise this right respectfully but firmly by simply stating, “I’m choosing not to answer that.”

Long-Term Consequences Beyond Points

Harsher Additional Penalties for Multiple Offenses

Ohio imposes increasingly severe penalties for repeat OVI offenses. If convicted of a second OVI within 10 years of the first, you’re looking at serving mandatory jail time, longer license suspensions, and higher fines.

Professional License Impact

Many professional licenses require disclosure of criminal convictions. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other licensed professionals may face disciplinary action from their licensing boards.

Commercial Driver Disqualification

Commercial drivers face federal disqualification periods that are separate from and often longer than regular license suspensions. A single OVI can end a trucking career.

Taking Action: Why Professional Help Matters

The complexity of OVI law and the severe long-term consequences make professional legal representation essential. An experienced criminal defense attorney can:

• Challenge the traffic stop if it was conducted without proper legal justification
• Question test results based on medical conditions, medications, or equipment issues
• Negotiate reduced charges that minimize long-term impact
• Explore alternative sentencing options that protect your driving privileges
• Advise on administrative hearings to contest license suspensions

Don’t let an OVI conviction derail your future. While points may only last two years, the impact of a conviction will follow you for the rest of your life.

Protect Your Rights and Future

An OVI charge doesn’t mean you’re guilty. The sooner you get experienced legal help, the better your chances of achieving a favorable outcome that minimizes the long-term impact on your record and your life.

Contact SS+D Law today for a confidential consultation. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys have decades of experience fighting OVI charges and protecting our clients’ rights and futures. Don’t wait—time is critical in OVI cases, and early action can make all the difference in your outcome.

Call us at 937-222-2500 to speak with an attorney who will aggressively defend your case and work to minimize the impact on your driving record and your life.