How a DUI Affects Your Life in California

Does a DUI Ruin Your Life?

A DUI will not inherently destroy your life. However, it will have a dramatic impact on your future —sometimes for years. Consequences vary based on your driving record, BAC, and whether anyone was injured.

For information on specific penalties, visit our dedicated page on DUI penalties in California.

How a DUI Can Affect Your Job and Career

California law prohibits employers from refusing to hire someone solely because they have a criminal conviction, unless it directly relates to the position in question.¹ “Unfortunately, the reality is that some hiring managers will still overlook those with a criminal record in favor of applicants who have a clean background,” explains attorney Peter Liss.

Jobs That Require Driving

Even when employers follow the law, having a DUI conviction can still disqualify you from most jobs that require you to drive. “If you have an active SR-22, most companies will consider you an unnecessary liability,” says Liss.

Many companies hiring professional drivers, such as Uber and Lyft, will not hire drivers with a DUI on their driving record —meaning you’ll have to wait at least 10 years until the offense no longer appears on your DMV record.

Professional Licenses

Similarly, this information can lead to the denial of certain professional licenses, such as pilot or commercial driver’s licenses. Other licensed professionals, such as nurses, could be placed on probation after a DUI.

Military Consequences

Members of the military who are convicted of a DUI will face additional non-judicial penalties (NJP) for their actions, which could even include dishonorable discharge. If you are not already in the military, a DUI will make you ineligible for enlistment without a waiver.

Does Expungement Help?

“Even if you get the charge expunged from your record, this information will stay on your driving record for 10 years,” says Liss, “so if you lie and say you have not had any DUIs, your employer or licensing body may still find out.”

How a DUI Disrupts Your Daily Life

“There are many ways your life may change following a DUI conviction,” admits Liss, “but keep in mind that these inconveniences are only temporary and most people can get back to their previous routines within a few years.”

Major Time Commitments

DUI convictions can include jail time and treatment programs that can fill up your schedule. Depending on your conviction, you could be sentenced to:

• DUI education classes
• AA meetings
• A Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Impact Panel
• Community service
• Residential treatment

These penalties can really add up, leaving you with little time for socializing.  

Difficulty Getting Around

Getting to and from activities can be another challenge. “Many people convicted of DUI can get back on the road immediately by installing an ignition interlock device,” says Liss. “However, many of my clients choose not to install one, and the option isn’t available to everyone —including those convicted of drug DUI and those who violated the Implied Consent Law.” Without installing an IID, traditional restricted licenses in California limit your driving to between work and home.

To travel without a valid license, you’ll have to:

• Rely on friends and family members to give you rides, which can cause friction in your relationships.
• Use public transportation, which will take even more time out of your schedule.
• Pay for Ubers, Lyfts, or taxis to get around town, which can be very expensive.

Driving on a suspended license after a DUI can violate your probation and open you up to all new criminal penalties.

Impacts on Personal Relationships

Even if you don’t rely on your friends and family members for rides, a DUI could damage your relationships.

Many people find DUIs to be inexcusably reckless and will lose respect for you if they find you have been convicted of driving under the influence. People are particularly likely to cut off a relationship with someone convicted of drunk driving if they have lost a friend or family member in a deadly DUI accident.  

International Travel Restrictions

A criminal conviction of any type may limit your ability to travel to certain countries. While some countries still permit entry to those with criminal records, others have limits on different types of offenders —often barring entry to those convicted of felonies or sex crimes. “Canada has notoriously strict entry laws regarding DUI convictions,” warns Liss.

The Real Financial Impact of a DUI Goes Beyond Fines

A DUI doesn’t just include court fines and fees —it can add ongoing financial pressure that affects your day-to-day life. Convicted individuals often must pay for:

• DUI classes
• Counseling programs
• Ignition interlock device installation and maintenance
• Higher insurance costs
• Vehicle towing and impoundment fees
• Victim restitution

A license suspension can also cost you more if you need to rely on rideshares or taxis.

Some people even lose their jobs after missing work while incarcerated or because they show up late too often due to transportation issues. When this happens, their financial stress can be further compounded by a lack of income.

“To protect my client’s careers, I often work to ensure shorter sentences can be served intermittently over weekends,” says Liss. “I can also help them work to figure out transportation solutions to ensure their work positions will remain secure.

Can a DUI Cause Depression or Anxiety?

Many people who get DUIs already have substance abuse issues tied to mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, or bipolar disorder.² Even those who don’t may suffer from depression, may develop it after a DUI, when they experience isolation during their license suspension, financial strain, employment concerns, or guilt from causing an accident that resulted in injury or death.

“Remember that while these feelings are common, getting a DUI does not make you a bad person,” explains Liss. “If your mental health declines after an arrest for driving under the influence, please seek professional therapy.” You can recover and move forward with the right support.

How Your Immigration Status Could be Affected

Normally, DUIs do not affect your immigration status, but there are some circumstances where they can. If you are convicted multiple times for any criminal offense, you will be unable to re-enter the US after leaving.

You could be deported if you:

• Had a child in the car when you were arrested.
• Were caught driving under the influence of drugs.
• Were driving drunk with a suspended license.

Additionally, Dreamers are subject to very strict rules, and a DUI could cause them to lose their protected immigration status.³

Visit our page on DUI and immigration status for more information.

How to Recover From a DUI

The impact of a DUI can feel overwhelming at first, but it is temporary —and recovery is absolutely possible.

How long it takes to move forward depends on the details of your case, including whether it’s a first offense and whether you qualify for a restricted license. In many cases, drivers can regain their driving privileges relatively quickly by installing an Ignition Interlock Device.

Over time, the most disruptive parts of a DUI, such as classes, counseling, or community service, will be completed. These requirements typically last several months to over a year, depending on the circumstances. Once finished, your schedule and daily routine often begin to return to normal.

Some consequences last longer. For example, you will be required to carry SR-22 insurance for three years, and a DUI will remain on your California driving record for 10 years. However, many people are still able to rebuild their careers, finances, and personal lives during this time.

A DUI conviction will continue to appear on your criminal record until it is expunged. Once the offense is expunged and no longer appears on your DMV record, most people performing a background check will be unable to find evidence of the offense.

Learn more about DUI expungements here.

How a DUI Lawyer Can Help

Life after a conviction for driving under the influence may not be as easy as it was before, but it is still plenty livable. Your defense attorney can help reduce the impact by fighting the charges. If it isn’t possible to avoid conviction, he may be able to secure a DUI plea bargain that will minimize your:

• Jail sentence
• Fines
• DUI course length
• License suspension
• And more

If you have been charged with DUI, contact attorney Peter M. Liss today. Call (760) 643-4050 to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your unique case.