If My Driver's License is Suspended in the State Where I Used to Live, Can I get a License in California? (CVC 14601)

Generally, the answer is NO, and your driving on a suspended license California lawyers at Wallin & Klarich explain why.

The U.S. Interstate Drivers License Compact is an agreement between the 45 participating states to share information about drivers and their DMV records that include infractions, convictions, driver's license suspensions, license restrictions, revocations, DUI charges, accidents, eligibility for license reinstatement, and more.

The main purpose of the National Driver Register database is to share information on drivers who have committed a serious infraction or violation in a state other than where they are licensed to drive. The DMV of each member state checks the National Driver Register database each time a person applies for a driver’s license.

The Drivers License Compact is an agreement between states to consider only one driving record per driver, and that record will follow the licensee from state to state, rather than a new record being created if an out of state license is issued.

Both the Nonresident Violator Compact and the Drivers License Compact Member states communicate with each other if a licensee of one state receives a ticket in another state.

The Interstate Compact & California DUI License Suspensions

The Interstate Compact is covers California license suspension actions and California DUI convictions. If a resident of one state or holder of an out-of-state license has his or her driving privilege suspended or gets convicted of DUI in another state, the driver's home state can be notified. Your home state may honor and reciprocate and take action to suspend the driver's license of its resident.

It is critical to know that a suspension of your driving privilege one state may result in a suspension of your license here in California. No matter where you live, you probably want to avoid, if not at least minimize, any driver's license suspension action.

For more information regarding any legal issues due to driving on a suspended license in Southern California, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich. Our team of professionals has over 40 years of experience helping individuals facing all types of criminal matters, including issues with DMV. Please call us at 888-749-0034.