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 (NDR) of the out-of-state offense and your driving privileges may be suspended in your home state as well.
Key takeaways:
- 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 a DUI or leaving the scene of an accident you caused can result in both the state of occurrence and your home state suspending your license.
What happens if you commit traffic offenses in other states?
Expect consequences in your home state
Traffic laws differ significantly between states. However, if you commit a serious traffic violation in a state other than your own and your driver’s license is suspended there, it’s likely that your home state will also suspend your license for the same offense. For example, a conviction for driving under the influence or reckless driving will almost always lead to a driver’s license suspension, regardless of where you reside.
If you move, your suspension will follow you
A suspended license is a major obstacle to moving states. You can’t get a new license or register your vehicle in your new state until the issue is resolved in the original state. This often involves court appearances and hefty fines. Expect higher car insurance premiums as well.
If your driver’s license is suspended and you move to a different state, the licensing agency in the state where you’re establishing residency won’t be able to issue you a new license.
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 are not 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.
You may also get your license suspended for unpaid child support
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.
The Driver’s License Compact
Your home state will find out about your out-of-state license suspension, as states communicate with each other when traffic violations are 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 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.
Hardship licenses and other exceptions
License suspensions typically have limited exceptions. Usually, the only way to lift a suspension is by fulfilling specific conditions attached to it. For example, if your license is suspended until you provide proof of car insurance or pay an outstanding traffic ticket, your driving privileges will be reinstated once you meet these requirements.
There’s a chance that you could be granted a hardship license, also known as a restricted license.
What is a restricted license?
With a hardship or restricted license, you would be permitted to drive only under a set of specific circumstances — like driving to and from work, transporting your children to and from school, or visiting a physician’s office. You may also have a limited number of miles or certain times of day in which you’re authorized to drive while your license is restricted.
It’s the court’s decision whether to give you 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.
How to check if license is suspended in another state
There are two ways you can check if your license is suspended in another state.
- Contact your state’s DMV. Check the website and see if there is information about license suspensions, or call the customer service line.
- Check the NDR. You can request a copy of your NDR report to see if you have any suspensions or revocations on your record.
What to do if your driver’s license is suspended in another state
Once your driver’s license has been suspended in another state, it’s best to stop driving in your home state as well — even if you haven’t received your in-state suspension notice yet.
The best way to get through the suspension period is to follow the law and move 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 the possibility of jail time.
FAQ
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Does driver’s license suspension or revocation follow you?
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Can you drive at home if another state suspended your driver’s license?
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How far back does the National Driver Register go?
Megan Lee is an editor, writer, and SEO expert who specializes in insurance, personal finance, travel, and healthcare. She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for several websites, including NerdWallet. When she`s not crafting her next piece of content, Megan adventures around her Midwest home base where she likes to drink cortados, attend theme parties, ride her bike and cook Asian food.
Annie is a writer and editor at Jerry and has more than a decade of experience writing and editing digital content. Before joining Jerry, she was an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet, where she covered loans. Previously, she worked at USAA and newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota, California, and Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
