How Long Does a Car Accident Stay on Your Record?

A car accident typically stays on your driving record for three to five years, but this can vary from three years in states like California to up to 13 years in New York, depending on severity and location. If you're wondering how long does a car accident stay on your record and how it affects insurance rates or employment checks, this comprehensive guide breaks down state-specific timelines, insurer practices, DMV policies, and steps to reduce long-term consequences.

Understanding Driving Records and Accident Reporting

Your driving record is a detailed log maintained by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that includes traffic violations, license suspensions, citations, and reported accidents. When an accident occurs, especially one involving injury, significant damage, or police involvement, it's usually filed with the DMV and becomes part of your official record.

The length of time an accident remains visible depends on several factors: whether fault was assigned, the severity of the incident, and the reporting rules in your jurisdiction. Minor fender-benders with no injuries or claims may not appear at all if not reported to authorities or insurers. However, any accident reported to law enforcement or your insurance company has a high chance of being logged.

Typical Duration: How Long Do Accidents Stay on Your Record?

In most U.S. states, a non-fault or at-fault accident will remain on your driving record for three to six years. However, more serious incidents—such as those involving DUI, reckless driving, or major bodily harm—can stay on file for up to 10–13 years, particularly in states with stricter monitoring systems.

Here’s a general breakdown:

Minor accidents (no injury, low damage): 3–5 years
At-fault accidents with claims: 5–7 years
DUI-related or severe collisions: 5–13 years
Felony vehicular incidents: Permanent or indefinite retention

It's important to note that while the DMV maintains these records, different entities access them for various purposes. For example, insurance companies often only review the past 3–5 years when calculating premiums, even if the accident technically remains on file longer.

State-by-State Variations in Accident Reporting Periods

There is no federal standard for how long a car accident stays on your record. Each state sets its own rules regarding what gets recorded and for how long. Below is a comparative table showing key states and their typical retention periods for auto accidents.

State	Accident Retention Period	Notes
California	3 years	Only reports accidents requiring police filing; minor incidents may not appear
Texas	3 years	Includes both at-fault and not-at-fault accidents reported to DPS
New York	Up to 13 years	Serious accidents, especially with injuries, stay longer; used in point system
Florida	5–10 years	Depends on fault and insurance claim severity
Illinois	4–5 years	Minor accidents drop off after 4 years; major ones up to 7
Ohio	6 years	Applies to all reportable crashes per BMV guidelines
Pennsylvania	5 years	Points from accidents removed after 5 years; record accessible beyond
Michigan	7 years	Used for insurance scoring under Michigan No-Fault Law
Georgia	5 years	Reported accidents affect Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP)
Virginia	11 years	Major accidents stay indefinitely; minor ones 5–11 years based on classification

This variation underscores the importance of checking with your local DMV or accessing your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) directly to understand exactly what appears and for how long.

Impact on Auto Insurance Rates

Even if an accident stays on your record for seven years, insurance companies usually only consider the last three to five years when determining premium increases. Most insurers use data from the past three policy terms to assess risk.

On average, an at-fault accident can increase your annual premium by 20% to 50%, depending on your provider, location, and driving history. Some insurers offer “accident forgiveness” programs—either built into policies or available as add-ons—that prevent rate hikes after your first at-fault collision.

To minimize financial impact:

Ask your insurer about accident forgiveness options.
Compare quotes before renewal to avoid overpaying.
Maintain continuous coverage and a clean record afterward to regain good standing faster.

Differences Between Driving Records, Insurance Records, and Background Checks

Many people confuse how long an accident stays on different types of records. It's crucial to distinguish between:

Driving Record (DMV): Maintained by the state; used for licensing, reinstatement, and traffic monitoring. Typically kept for 3–13 years.
Insurance Record: Insurers keep internal files on claims for 5–7 years. They may refer to third-party databases like the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE), which stores claims history for seven years.
Criminal or Employment Background Check: Only serious accidents involving DUI, manslaughter, or felony charges show up here—and they can remain indefinitely.

For instance, a minor rear-end collision won’t appear on a standard employment background check unless it led to legal action or license suspension. But if you're applying for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or transportation job, employers may request your full MVR, where even older accidents could be reviewed.

Do Not-At-Fault Accidents Stay on Your Record?

Yes, not-at-fault accidents can still appear on your driving record, though their impact is generally less severe. In many states, such incidents are noted without adding points to your license. However, they may still trigger a claims history entry in the CLUE report, which insurers can access.

The silver lining? Most insurance companies don't penalize drivers financially for not-at-fault accidents, especially if no tickets were issued. Still, it's wise to verify your CLUE report annually through LexisNexis (the database operator) to ensure accuracy and dispute any errors.

Can You Remove an Accident from Your Record?

In most cases, you cannot remove a legitimate accident from your DMV record before the designated period expires. However, there are limited exceptions:

Error Correction: If the accident was incorrectly attributed to you (e.g., mistaken identity or incorrect reporting), you can file an appeal with the DMV to have it corrected or expunged.
Legal Dismissal: If a ticket related to the accident was dismissed in court, you may petition to have associated points or violations removed.
Deferred Judgment Programs: Some jurisdictions allow first-time offenders to complete traffic school or safety courses to keep incidents off their permanent record.

To initiate a correction:

Obtain a copy of your official driving record.
Gather evidence (police reports, witness statements, photos).
Contact your state DMV to file a dispute or request a hearing.

How to Check Your Driving Record

Regularly reviewing your driving record helps catch inaccuracies early and monitor how long an accident remains active. Here’s how to get yours:

Visit your state DMV website (e.g., dmv.ca.gov, txdmv.gov).
Request a copy online, by mail, or in person.
Expect to pay a small fee ($5–$15).

You’re entitled to at least one free copy per year in many states. Additionally, you can request your CLUE report once per year at no cost via LexisNexis’s official site to see what insurers might view.

Tips to Minimize the Impact of an Accident

If you’ve been in a crash, proactive steps can reduce long-term repercussions:

Attend Traffic School: In states like California and Arizona, completing an approved course can prevent points from being added after certain violations.
Challenge Fault If Wrongly Assigned: Work with your insurer or attorney to dispute liability if evidence supports your case.
Maintain Good Driving Habits: A clean record post-accident signals responsibility and can lead to quicker rate reductions.
Switch Insurers Strategically: Some companies weigh accidents less heavily than others. Shop around at renewal time.
Consider Usage-Based Insurance: Programs like Progressive’s Snapshot or Allstate’s Drivewise let safe behavior offset past incidents over time.

Myths About Accidents on Your Record

Several misconceptions persist about how long accidents affect your status. Let’s clarify:

Myth: All accidents automatically go on your record.
Truth: Only reported accidents—typically those involving police reports or insurance claims—are logged.
Myth: Insurance companies see every detail forever.
Truth: CLUE reports only retain data for 7 years; insurers focus on recent history.
Myth: You can pay to erase an accident.
Truth: There’s no legal way to pay for deletion unless it’s an error.
Myth: International moves erase your record.
Truth: U.S. records can follow you if another state or insurer requests them through the Driver License Compact.

Special Cases: Commercial Drivers and Teens

Commercial drivers (CDL holders) face stricter standards. Any preventable accident, even minor ones, may be tracked for up to three years under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines and can influence employer decisions and insurance costs.

For teen drivers, an early accident can have prolonged effects due to limited driving history. A single at-fault incident may result in higher rates throughout their early adulthood. Parents should emphasize defensive driving education and consider usage-based monitoring tools to encourage safer habits.

What About Canada?

If you’re in Canada, similar principles apply—but timelines differ slightly. In provinces like Ontario, at-fault accidents stay on your insurance record for six years, affecting premiums during that window. Quebec and British Columbia also maintain 6-year claim histories. Driving records are managed provincially, so always confirm with your local licensing authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a minor accident go on your record?

Only if it's reported to the DMV or your insurance company. Small parking lot bumps with no claims or police report typically don’t get recorded.

How long does an accident affect insurance rates?

Most insurers consider accidents from the past 3–5 years when setting premiums. After that, the impact usually disappears, even if the accident remains on your DMV record.

Can I get an accident removed from my driving record?

Generally no, unless it was reported in error or resulted from an overturned ticket. You can dispute inaccuracies with your DMV.

Do not-at-fault accidents raise insurance?

Rarely. Most insurers don’t increase rates for not-at-fault crashes, though the claim may still appear in your CLUE report.

How do I check if an accident is on my record?

Order a copy of your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) from your state DMV website and request a free CLUE report annually from LexisNexis.