DUI resolved through ARD
Most first DUIs in northeastern Pennsylvania go through ARD. After you complete it and pay all costs, the court dismisses the charge and orders the arrest record expunged. It isn’t automatic; a petition and order are needed. See DUI ARD expungement.
DUI convictions
Pennsylvania expunges convictions only in narrow situations: a summary offense after five years, a person 70 or older who has been arrest-free for 10 years, a person deceased for three years, or a pardon. A DUI is not a summary offense, so a conviction generally stays.
A first-offense DUI conviction is an ungraded misdemeanor, though, which makes it eligible for limited access. It can be sealed automatically under Clean Slate or by petition after seven years without a conviction for an offense punishable by a year or more, as long as no excluded offense is involved and any restitution is paid.
Your driving record is separate
Expungement and sealing apply to your criminal record. PennDOT keeps its own driving record, including suspensions, and keeps its record of a DUI ARD for a period set by 75 Pa.C.S. § 1534, about 12 years.
Common questions
Will a sealed DUI show up for employers?
For most employers, no. Some employers required by federal law to check records, such as for commercial driving or certain regulated jobs, can still see it.
What about a second DUI?
A second offense can carry higher grading and penalties, and eligibility depends on the grade and your full history. We review each case.