Delaney Simchuk, Car Insurance Writer
@delaney_simchuk
A wet reckless stays on your driving record for 2 to 11 years in most states. A wet reckless is a plea bargain that replaces a DUI charge with a reckless driving conviction, resulting in less severe penalties, but not all states allow this type of agreement.
It is important to note that while a wet reckless conviction can stay on your record for a long time, most insurance companies only have a look back period of 3-5 years, so it’s possible your insurance rates won’t be affected for the entire time the violation remains on your record.
Key Things to Know About a Wet Reckless
- It will stay on your record for 2 to 11 years. A wet reckless conviction will typically stay on your record for a shorter period of time than a DUI. Exactly how long these violations remain on your record varies by state. In Florida, for instance, all alcohol-related violations stay on your record for 75 years, while a wet reckless will typically be on your record for 10 years in California.
- You can never be charged with a wet reckless. The chance to plead guilty to a wet reckless is only offered to you if you’ve been charged with a DUI and there are other mitigating circumstances, like if it’s your first DUI, you have a clean criminal record, or you had a low BAC.
- It is less serious than a DUI. A wet reckless is an alternative charge to a DUI that has less severe consequences. If you live in a state where there is jail time for a DUI, being convicted of a wet reckless instead means your jail time will be reduced. Plus, there’s typically no license suspension for a wet reckless, and in some states you will not have to install a breathalyzer device in your vehicle like you may have to for a DUI.
To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guides to checking your driving record and the cheapest car insurance after a DUI.
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