Will a DUI Show Up on My Background Check?

Applying for a new job is often an anxiety-inducing experience, especially if you have some things in your history that might cause a potential employer to second-guess your application.

Facing a DUI in Colorado raises more than legal alarms—it poses serious concerns for your future job prospects and even international travel. In this post, we’ll explore whether a DUI shows up on background checks, how long it stays on your record, and if it can affect travel to countries like Canada.

Can Employers Find Out About Your DUI?

Yes. In Colorado, a DUI conviction is considered a criminal offense and will almost always appear on both criminal background checks and driving record (DMV) checks. These searches are common during hiring processes, especially for positions requiring driving or security clearance.

Private employers generally can’t ask about criminal history on initial applications thanks to the “Ban the Box” rules—but once an applicant receives a conditional offer, background checks are common and will surface convictions.

When your DUI shows up, consequences can vary—from being passed over for a job to impacts on professional licensing. However, many employers are open to giving second chances, especially when they see evidence of personal growth since the conviction.

How Long Will a DUI Stay on Your Record?

Criminal Record

In Colorado, an adult DUI conviction remains on your criminal record permanently. It can only be sealed if: dismissed, you were found “not guilty”, or you successfully completed a deferred judgment.

Driving Record

DUI and DWAI convictions stay on your Colorado driver’s history forever. For purposes such as:

• License points count in 2-year cycles for adults (no more than 12 points in 12 months, or 18 in a 24-month period)
• Habitual offender: 7 years. 3 or more HTO offenses in a 7-year period will give you habitual traffic offender status.
• HTO offenses: DUI, DWAI, reckless driving, DUR/DUS, vehicular assault/homicide, failure to provide assistance in a deadly/injury crash.
• Insurance companies may have a policy where they look back a certain number of years, or a lifetime. Ask your provider about their policy.

These distinctions matter: while insurance companies and the DMV may focus on the driving record, employers often rely on criminal background checks (your official criminal record), where the DUI stays forever.

Can a DUI Record Be Removed or Hidden?

No—unless it’s not a conviction. Once convicted, a DUI stays visible forever under current Colorado law. Colorado does not allow sealing of DUI convictions.

However, if you were arrested but not convicted—meaning the charge was dismissed or acquitted—you can move to seal the case. This also works for successfully completed deferred judgments (also called deferred sentences).

What About Traveling to Canada—Will a DUI keep you out?

Unfortunately, yes. Canada considers DUI a serious criminal offense and treats it as grounds for inadmissibility—even for misdemeanors. If you have a DUI conviction and have plans to travel to Canada, verify your eligibility to enter before making the trip.

Key Points:

• Canada can access U.S. criminal and DMV records and may deny you entry regardless of how you travel or your intentions while in Canada. Even being a passenger doesn’t guarantee entry.
• A pending DUI charge can be treated as an indictment—meaning no presumption of innocence at the border.
• To regain admissibility, travelers with a DUI can apply for:
  • Temporary Resident Permit (TRP): Grants entry for a specific purpose/time.
  • Criminal Rehabilitation (CR): A longer-term solution after you’ve completed your sentence and waited 5 years. Call an attorney to discuss your options.

Don’t risk it, find out before you go if you will be allowed to enter foreign countries with a pending DUI or a DUI conviction.

Summary

Scenario	Outcome in Colorado	Background Check Visibility
DUI Conviction (Adult)	Criminal record permanent	Visible indefinitely
DUI Arrest, No Conviction	Sealable	Sealable
Deferred Judgment, Completed	Does not count as conviction in CO.	Sealable

Final Thoughts

A DUI conviction in Colorado is serious—and long-lasting. It remains on your record forever, shows up in background checks, affects your employment opportunities, and can even block your entry into countries like Canada unless you take proactive legal steps.

If you’re dealing with a DUI—whether for job applications, travel plans, or peace of mind—talk to a drunk driving attorney who understands Colorado’s DUI statutes and the implications of a conviction. We offer free consultations on DUI matters. If we can help you minimize your exposure or even avoid a conviction now, it can make a big difference for your future.

The post Will a DUI Show Up on My Background Check? first appeared on McDowell Law Firm.

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