Driver’s license suspensions can happen for several reasons, from a failure to pay child support to serious driving offenses like reckless driving, drag racing or a DUI.

If you have a suspended license in one state, you must deal with the suspension there and get that license reinstated before you obtain a new license in another state. States will allow you to exchange an out-of-state license for a new license when you move within the U.S. However, the driver’s license you are turning in needs to be valid.

Most importantly, if your license is suspended, don’t drive.

“If someone has a prior conviction for driving with a suspended license and continues to drive, they could be subjected to punitive damages or additional criminal charges if they get into a car accident for their willful failure to follow the law,” says Jason Turchin, Esq., an attorney with the Law Offices of Jason Turchin in Weston, Florida.

Key Highlights
  • You cannot get a new license in a new state while your license is suspended. Until you meet the reinstatement requirements of your state, your license will remain suspended.
  • States check the National Drivers Register (NDR) when a person applies for a driver’s license.
  • You will have to take a driving skills test to get your license reinstated if it has been suspended for more than a year.
author-img
Written by:
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.
author
Reviewed by:
Nupur Gambhir
reviewer icon
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

Can I get a driver’s license in another state?

No. You cannot move to another state and obtain a driver’s license (DL) there while your license is still suspended in your previous state.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the administrator of the NDR and states that the NDR contains a listing of names and related identification, provided by State driver licensing officials, of those “problem drivers” whose licenses have been canceled, denied, suspended or revoked or who have been convicted of certain serious traffic violations.

All states check the National Drivers Register (NDR) when a person applies for a driver’s license. You can also check the NDR to see if you’re listed as a Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS).

Can another state suspend your license?

Another state may suspend your license for several reasons. Getting too many speeding tickets, driving under the influence, or leaving the scene of an accident may result in an out-of-state license suspension. Also, the state where the suspension is issued will inform your home state’s DMV using the National Driver Register.

If you are moving to a new state and your current driver’s license is suspended, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for your new state to see what advice they can give you about getting a license.

If I move to another state, does my driving record follow me?

Car insurance estimator tool

What happens if your license or driving privileges have been suspended or revoked in another state?

If your driver’s license is suspended in another state, there isn’t much you can do about it. You will receive a notice from the state’s DMV. Read your license suspension/revocation notice carefully. It will have instructions on when and how to reinstate your driver’s license.

Getting a license in another state after the suspension is no easy task. Depending on the severity of the charges, you may be prohibited from driving for a specific time. Also, you may need to complete some classes before being allowed to drive again.

Certain cases might require taking driver’s license tests. If your license is suspended due to DUI, you may be asked to take a class on substance abuse for your privileges to be reinstated.

How long does a suspension in another state last?

Your license will remain suspended indefinitely until you meet all the state requirements and get a new license. There is no limit as to how long the suspension will last.

You may have to take written, vision and driving skills tests to show you are prepared for the road. However, if your license has been suspended for over a year, you must take the driving skills test.

Are you still confused about your license status?

If you’re unsure whether your driver’s license is still suspended, make an appointment with your local DMV and visit an office in person or contact the DMV via phone or online.

“You can check the status of a Nevada license and obtain reinstatement requirements by visiting dmv.nv.gov and using the Contact Us form,” says Kevin Malone, public information officer for the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. “Nevada checks the National Driver Registry at each application for a driver’s license original, renewal or reinstatement.”

What is the Driver License Compact?

The Driver License Compact, or DLC, is an agreement between states to share information about traffic violations, driver’s license suspensions, and revocations. The motto of the compact aligns with its purpose: “One Driver, One License, One Record.”

There is a federal requirement for state licensing agencies in the U.S. to check applicants for driver’s licenses against the NDR.

This mandate is intended to help prevent problem drivers from “license shopping,” meaning a person would go to a different state to get a new license when their current license is suspended or revoked by the NHTSA. Keeping problem drivers off the road is critical to the NHTSA’s goal of reducing highway fatalities and injuries.

If your license is suspended, can you get it back?

What happens when your license is suspended? You should be listed on the NDA database with a suspension in one state. To check and see if you are listed on it there is a form you must complete and have your signature notarized, and then mail the completed form to the National Driver Register. They will not process forms that are not notarized. You then can find out if you are listed on the NDR.

You can reinstate your driver’s license, but you must follow your state’s requirements before obtaining a new license.

Tip iconExpert Insight

While every state’s minimum penalty will vary, driving with a suspended license is a serious offense for which there can be serious consequences. For example, in Florida, you may face hefty fines and even jail time for two months for your first violation. Your second violation could be considered a misdemeanor and jail time can be up to a year.

What happens when the suspension is resolved?

When your suspension or revocation is resolved, your first step is to get a clearance letter from the state where it was issued, which you’ll have to request and ensure it complies with all state requirements. You will also need a copy of your current driving record that is not more than 30 days old.

Take these documents along with your expired driver’s license to your DMV to have the suspension manually removed and pay a fine for reinstatement, which can vary depending on state law.

How do you check if your license is suspended in another state?

The best way to determine if your license is suspended is by contacting your Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) or Department of Driver Services (DSS) and enquiring about any violations on your driving record.

Frequently asked questions about suspended licenses

What happens to your auto insurance coverage after a license suspension?

If your license is suspended, you won’t immediately lose your auto insurance coverage. This is because insurance follows the car and not the driver. While you will likely have coverage until the end of the policy’s term, you will eventually lose coverage. If there are other drivers who are listed in the policy, you will need to be removed from the policy in order for them to retain coverage. 

Why can’t I get a license in another state if my license is suspended?

You cannot get a drivers license in a new state if your license is suspended in another state because states check the National Drivers Register (NDR) when an individual applies for a driver’s license. Your license will remain suspended until you meet the reinstatement requirements of your state.

Resources & Methodology

Sources

  1. NHTSA “National Driver Register.” Accessed February 2024.
  2. Nevada DMV “Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles Official.” Accessed February 2024.
Laura Longero

Ask the Insurance Expert

Laura Longero

Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

John McCormick

Ask the Insurance Expert

John McCormick

Editorial Director

John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.

Leslie Kasperowicz

Ask the Insurance Expert

Leslie Kasperowicz

Managing Editor

Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.

Nupur Gambhir

Ask the Insurance Expert

Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.

Please Enter Valid Question. Min 50 to max 250 characters are allowed. Only (& ? , .) charcters are allowed.
Please Enter Valid Email.
Error: Security check failed
Thank You, Your message has been received. Our team of auto insurance experts typically answers questions within five working days. Note that due to the volume of questions we receive, not all may be answered. Due to technical error, please try again later.
Compare top carriers in your area Get quotes near you!
Please enter valid zip
author image
Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.