According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Driver and Vehicle Services, most traffic convictions are retained on Wisconsin's driving records for 5 years from the date of conviction. However, convictions for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) with violation dates on or after January 1, 1989, and certain commercial driving convictions are retained on the Wisconsin driving record for life. Life for record keeping purposes in WI is currently defined as 55 years.

Thus an OWI will remain on a WI driving record for life. If you want to see if there is a way to expunge this from a person's record you can contact the Wisconsin Department of Transportation directly.

As you are likely aware an offense for driving under the influence or while intoxicated is considered a serious offense by all, including auto insurance companies. Statistics show that with certain characteristics, such as a poor driving record or serious offenses such as OWIs or DUIs, have a greater chance of being involved in an accident, and the drivers in those classifications must pay higher rates. Thus if you have an OWI on your record you will likely need to get insurance from a non-standard (high risk) insurer instead of a preferred company that typically insurers those with good driving records.

To find out for certain how long your OWI will affect your insurance rates you can contact the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance for the rates filed by your insurance company. Or you can discuss with your current insurer how long they look back at the offenses on your record. Normally insurance carriers will long back and rate for 3, 5 or 7 years.

If your rates are high due to a conviction of an OWI you should shop around to see if you can get lower premiums. You can start here by getting free auto insurance quotes online.