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 your license is suspended 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.
- 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.
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) administers the NDR and states that it 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?
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. The suspension is not limited.
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 compact’s motto aligns with its purpose: “One Driver, One License, One Record.”
Federal law requires 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. While every state’s minimum penalty will vary, driving with a suspended license is a serious offense with severe consequences. For example, you may face hefty fines and even jail time for two months for your first violation in Florida. 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.
Find out whether you can insure and register a vehicle while holding a conditional license
Frequently asked questions: Suspended licenses
What happens to your auto insurance coverage after a license suspension?
You won’t immediately lose your auto insurance coverage if your license is suspended. 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 other drivers are listed in the policy, you will need to be removed from the policy to retain coverage.
Why can’t I get a license in another state if my license is suspended?
You cannot get a driver’s 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
- NHTSA “National Driver Register.” Accessed August 2024.
- Nevada DMV “Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles Official.” Accessed August 2024.
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