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.
Can another state suspend your driver’s license?
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.
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.
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.
Exceptions to license suspension in another state
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.
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.
