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Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious criminal offense in all states of the United States. If you are arrested for DWI in a state other than your home state, you may be wondering if the conviction can affect your driver’s license in your home state. The answer is yes, it can.
The Driver License Compact (DLC) is an agreement between 45 states, including the District of Columbia, that allows the sharing of driver’s license information between states. The main purpose of the DLC is to ensure that drivers who commit traffic offenses in another state are held accountable for their actions, even if they return to their home state.
Under the DLC, if you are convicted of a DWI in another state, your home state will be notified of the offense. Your home state will then apply the laws and penalties of that state, which can include suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. In other words, the DWI conviction in the other state can affect your driving privileges in your home state.
It’s important to note that not all states are members of the DLC. The following states are not members of the compact: Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. If you are convicted of a DWI in one of these states, it is less likely that your home state will be notified of the offense.
It’s also important to note that the DLC is not the only way that states share driver’s license information. The National Driver Register (NDR) is a database that contains information about drivers who have had their licenses revoked or suspended. If your license is revoked or suspended in another state due to a DWI conviction, your name will be added to the NDR. When you apply for a driver’s license in another state, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will check the NDR to see if you have a record of license revocation or suspension.
If you are convicted of a DWI in another state, your home state will apply its own laws and penalties to your situation. For example, if you are convicted of a DWI in Texas and your home state is California, California will apply its own DWI laws and penalties to your situation.
It’s also important to note that the laws and penalties for a DWI conviction in your home state may be different than the laws and penalties in the state where you were convicted. This can lead to confusion and uncertainty, which is why it’s important to seek the advice of an experienced DWI attorney if you are facing a DWI charge in another state.
An experienced DWI attorney can help you understand the laws and penalties of the state where you were charged and can also help you minimize the impact of the offense on your driving privileges in your home state. For example, an attorney may be able to negotiate a plea bargain that reduces the charges against you or avoids a license suspension or revocation.
It’s also important to note that a DWI conviction can have long-lasting consequences beyond just a license suspension or revocation. A DWI conviction can appear on your criminal record and may affect your ability to get a job, rent an apartment, or
In conclusion, a DWI conviction in another state can affect your driver’s license in your home state. The DLC and the NDR are two ways that states share driver’s license information, and it’s important to understand how these systems work if you are facing a DWI charge in another state. Seeking the advice of a skilled DWI attorney is always a good idea when facing a DWI charge, whether it’s in your home state or another state. An attorney can help you understand the laws and penalties of the state where you were charged and can also help you minimize the impact of the offense on your driving privileges and long-term future. It’s always better to be proactive and seek legal counsel rather than suffer the consequences of a DWI conviction alone.
Mr. Magee is a member of the State Bar of Texas and is admitted in the federal courts, including the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the United States Supreme Court. He is also Board Certified through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Criminal Law.
Mr. Magee has also served in city government, as Assistant to the City Manager and City Manager, and as an adjunct lecturer in Politics and Government at several Texas universities and colleges. See what clients have to say about working with Georgetown and Williamson County defense lawyer, R. Scott Magee, by reading our testimonials.
Contact R. Scott Magee by clicking here.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney R. Scott Magee who has more than 15 years of legal experience as a practicing criminal defense attorney.