It’s possible to receive an out-of-state driver’s license suspension. If you commit a traffic violation in a different state that results in a driver’s license suspension, your home state will be notified through the National Driver Register of the out-of-state offense and your driving privileges may be suspended in your home state as well.
QUICK LOOK
- Interstate agreements require all states to notify each other if a person has had their license suspended in a state where they don’t reside
- You won’t be able to get a driver’s license in a new state if it’s still suspended in your previous home state
- Infractions such as getting a DUI or leaving the scene of an accident you caused can result in another state suspending your license
Can another state suspend your driver’s license?
In short, yes.
Traffic laws vary state by state, but if you commit a traffic offense severe enough to have your driver’s license suspended in a state you don’t live in, chances are your home state would have suspended your license if you’d committed the infraction there. For instance, a DUI/DWI or reckless driving conviction will result in a driver’s license suspension period regardless of what state you live in.
If your driver’s license is suspended and you move to a different state, the licensing agency in the state you’re establishing residency won’t be able to issue you a new license. Having a suspended license will also prevent you from registering your vehicle when you relocate. You’ll need to wait until your driver’s license is in good standing in the state you’ve just moved from before you can receive a valid license in your new home state.
Although the circumstances behind each out-of-state driver’s license suspension are different, you typically will not be eligible for license reinstatement until the matter is resolved in the state where the infraction took place. You will likely need to appear in court at least once in the state that originally suspended your license.
A license suspension is almost always accompanied by an expensive fine—plus you’ll need to pay a driver’s license reinstatement fee in your home state. There’s also a good chance that you’ll end up paying more for car insurance with a suspended license.
The Driver’s License Compact
It’s also important to understand that your home state will find out about your out-of-state license suspension. States communicate with one another regarding traffic violations committed by non-residents.
One way they share this information is through the Interstate Drivers’ License Compact (IDLC). The majority of US states are IDLC members with the exception of:
Just because a handful of states aren’t members of this interstate agreement doesn’t mean you’re off the hook at home if you receive a license suspension there. Every state is required to log the names of drivers who have had their driver’s licenses suspended or revoked in the National Driver Register (NDR). Your home state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be notified of the change in your license status through the NDR, after which they will mail you a suspension notice.
You may also have your driver’s license suspended by another state for failure to make child support payments. If you’ve been ordered by the family court in another state to pay child support you won’t be able to evade this financial obligation by moving to a new state.
Even if you hold a valid driver’s license and haven’t had so much as a traffic ticket, you may be at risk of having your license suspended in your new state after they learn you’re delinquent on your child support payments. Keep in mind that this will likely only happen if you’re significantly behind in payments. For example, the state of New York won’t pursue a license suspension unless the driver hasn’t made a child support payment in four months or more.
Exceptions to license suspension in another state
There aren’t many exceptions to a license suspension. Usually, the only way a suspension can be lifted is if there are specific conditions applied to the suspension. In other words, if your license has been suspended until you show proof of car insurance or pay an overdue traffic ticket your driving privileges will be restored once you fulfill what is being asked of you.
There’s also a chance that you could be granted a restricted license, also known as a hardship license. With a restricted license, you would be permitted to drive only under a set of specific circumstances—like to and from work, transporting your children to and from school, or to receive routine medical treatment. You may also have a limited number of miles or certain times of day in which you’re authorized to drive while your license suspension is in effect.
It’s the court’s decision whether to allow you to have these special driving privileges. If you’ve had multiple DUIs, were charged with a hit-and-run, or are facing license revocation, you probably won’t qualify for a restricted license.
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What to do if your driver’s license is suspended in another state
Once your driver’s license has been suspended in another state, do not keep driving in your home state as if nothing happened—even if you haven’t received your in-state suspension notice yet.
If you have a court date coming up, you should strongly consider seeking legal advice. Some law firms specialize in traffic law and will be able to advise you on how to proceed—many firms even offer a free consultation. If you don’t want to plead guilty to the traffic violation you’re being accused of, you’ll need a lawyer to represent you in court.
The best way to get through the suspension period is to follow the law and work on moving forward from the incident. If you’re caught driving with a suspended license, it will make everything worse. This is a serious charge that will likely result in additional fines, an extension of your license suspension, or even the possibility of jail time.
FAQ
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Mary Cahill is an insurance writer specializing in general automotive knowledge and insurance and finance topics. Mary produces informative and useful content to help car owners make smart choices when buying cars and car insurance. She has written over 700 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from state driving laws to EV supercharger locations across the states. Before joining Jerry, Mary authored two novels while working as a case manager at the United Way.
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Licensed Insurance Agent
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views. As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
