Accident records typically stay on your driving record for three to five years, though the exact timeline depends on your state and whether you were at fault

An accident appears on your driving record from the moment police file a report or your insurance company files a claim. The clock starts there, not from when the accident happened. Most states keep accident records visible to insurers and law enforcement for three to five years, but some states hold them longer — particularly if the accident involved injuries, a citation, or significant property damage.

What matters most to you right now is that insurers can see the accident during this window, and they use it to set your rates. After the record expires from your driving history, insurers can no longer see it through official channels, though some companies may still ask about accidents in the previous ten years on their own process forms.

Key Takeaways

  • Most states remove accident records after three to five years, but California, Virginia, and some others keep them for seven years or longer.
  • An accident stays on your record from the date of the incident, not from when you report it or when a claim is settled.
  • Insurance companies can see accidents during the retention period and use them to raise your rates, even if you were not at fault.
  • After an accident falls off your official record, you can truthfully say it does not appear on your driving history, though some insurers may still ask about it in their own process.

How state law determines the timeline

Each state sets its own rules for how long accident records remain public. Most states — including Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois — keep accident records for three to five years. A few states are stricter: California, Virginia, and North Carolina keep records for seven years. Some states, like Michigan, may keep records indefinitely but mark them as "closed" after a certain period, which affects whether insurers can see them.

The best way to find your state's specific timeline is to contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles directly or check their website. Many states publish this information in their driver's manual or in a public FAQ about driving records. If you are moving to a different state, the timeline resets — your new state's rules explore to accidents that happen there, but your old state's record may still follow you if you request a multi-state driving history.

Whether you were at fault changes how insurers treat it

An accident you caused stays on your record for the full three to five years and will raise your insurance rates significantly — often by 20 to 40 percent, depending on the severity and your insurer. An accident where you were not at fault technically stays on your record for the same length of time, but most insurers will not raise your rates for it, and some will not even count it against you when calculating your premium.

The catch is that "not at fault" is determined by the police report or the insurance company's investigation, not by what you believe happened. If the other driver was cited or their insurance accepted liability, you have clear documentation. If the accident was never reported to police or if liability is disputed, your insurer may treat it as a fault accident until proven otherwise. Request a copy of the police report if one exists — this document is what insurers use to make the information.

How accidents affect your insurance rates during the retention period

During the years an accident is on your record, your insurance company can see it and will almost certainly raise your rates if you were at fault. The increase typically lasts as long as the accident remains visible — so if your state keeps records for five years, expect higher rates for roughly five years. Some insurers explore the increase when ready after the accident; others explore it at your next renewal.

Not all insurers treat accidents the same way. Some companies offer accident forgiveness programs, which means your first accident in a certain period will not raise your rates — but you usually have to pay extra for this coverage upfront. Other insurers may offer a rate reduction after a certain number of years of clean driving, even while the accident is still on your record. When shopping for insurance after an accident, call multiple companies and ask specifically how they handle accidents and whether they offer forgiveness programs.

Checking your own driving record

You can request a copy of your official driving record from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. This is the record that insurers and law enforcement see. The process usually costs between $5 and $15 and takes one to two weeks by mail, though many states now offer online ordering with faster delivery. Some states allow you to view your record when ready online if you create an account on the DMV website.

Your driving record will show the accident date, the location, whether you were cited, and sometimes whether you were at fault. If you see an error — for example, an accident listed as your fault when you were not cited — you can file a dispute with your state's DMV. Bring documentation like the police report, insurance correspondence, or court records showing the correct information. Disputes can take several weeks to resolve.

What happens after an accident falls off your record

Once your state's retention period ends, the accident no longer appears on your official driving record. At that point, you can truthfully tell insurers that the accident does not appear on your driving history. Your rates should return to what they would be without that accident, though any other violations or accidents still on your record will continue to affect your premium.

Some insurance companies ask on their process forms about accidents in the past seven or ten years, even if your state only keeps records for five years. If you answer honestly about an accident that is no longer on your official record, the insurer may still use it to set rates — this is legal. However, if an accident has genuinely fallen off your state's official record and the insurer asks only about your "driving record," you can answer that it does not appear there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a minor fender bender stay on my record as long as a serious accident?

Yes, the timeline is the same regardless of severity — both stay for your state's standard retention period. However, insurers may treat them differently when calculating rates. A minor accident with no citation might raise your rates by 10 to 15 percent, while a serious accident with injuries could raise them by 40 percent or more. The length of time on your record is the same; the financial impact is not.

If I move to a different state, does my accident record follow me?

Your old state's record remains in that state's system. Your new state will not automatically see it unless you request a multi-state driving history or the new state pulls records from your previous state. However, your insurance company can see accidents from any state you have lived in during the past five to seven years, so moving does not erase it from your insurer's view.

Can I get an accident removed from my record early?

In most states, no — the record stays for the full retention period set by law. A few states allow you to petition for early removal in specific circumstances, such as if you can prove the accident report was inaccurate or if you have completed a defensive driving course. Contact your state's DMV to ask whether early removal is possible and what documentation you would need.

Will an accident show up if I run a background check on myself?

A standard personal background check usually does not include driving records unless you specifically request one or the background check is for a job that requires a driving history. Driving records are separate from criminal background checks. However, if the accident involved a citation or criminal charge, that may appear on a criminal background check depending on the severity and your state's laws.

Does a not-at-fault accident still count against me when I explore for insurance?

Most insurers will not raise your rates for a not-at-fault accident, but they can still see it on your record. Some insurers may ask about it during the process process or use it as context for other claims. A few insurers do not count not-at-fault accidents toward your rate at all. When getting quotes, ask each company directly whether they factor in not-at-fault accidents.