EXPERT REVIEWED
by
Leslie Kasperowicz
Managing Editor
If you get a ticket in California and live in Texas, you don’t have to worry about paying that pesky ticket, right? Wrong. States have a centralized system that tracks problem drivers and license points from state to state. So, if you get a ticket in one state and neglect to pay it, that information will be on your record the next time you renew your driver’s license.
- States share information about problem drivers through the National Driver Register or NDR.
- If your driver’s license gets suspended in one state, that information will be available to other states if you move.
- The NDR maintains records based on personal identifying information such as name, birth date, driver’s license number and state.
Does your driving record follow you from state to state?
Yes. The National Driver Register (NDR), which falls under the Department of Transportation’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis at the NHTSA, tracks drivers across the U.S. The NDR maintains its records based on driver information such as name, birth date, driver’s license number and reporting state.
If your license in one state gets suspended, revoked or canceled, the NDR and Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) will track this information.
The NDR is checked by your new state when you apply for or renew a driver’s license, so any state you move to would see if you had citations or points on your license in your previous state.
The NDR maintains the computerized data system that is the PDPS. It contains information about drivers whose licenses were revoked, suspended, canceled or denied, or people convicted of serious traffic-related offenses.
According to the NDR, “state DMVs responsible for issuing driver licenses are required to send information on all revocations, suspensions and license denials within 31 days of receipt of the convictions from the courts to the PDPS.”
If you’re concerned that you’re a problem driver, you can complete a request for your status at the PDPS.
Will my car insurance rate change if I move?
If you’re moving, your car insurance rates may increase or decrease, depending on your new location. That’s because car insurance companies assign different levels of risk, depending on the amount and cost of car insurance claims in that area.
To see if your car insurance will go up if you move, use this moving calculator tool that shows an increase or decrease in insurance cost from one ZIP code to another. Before you move, inform your insurance company that the move is coming up and start shopping around to ensure you’re getting the lowest insurance rate in your new hometown.
You can also see the average rate for nearly every ZIP code in the country using CarInsurance.com‘s average car insurance rates tool. In addition, you’ll see the highest and lowest rates fielded from significant insurers for each ZIP code, which shows how much the price can vary for the same policy.
Frequently asked questions
Can a state suspend another state’s license?
Yes. Another state can suspend your driving license for various reasons, such as receiving too many speeding tickets, driving under the influence, or leaving the scene of an accident.
Can you get a license in another state if your license is suspended?
If your license is suspended or revoked in one state, you cannot get a new driver’s license in another state until the suspension ends.
What states do not transfer driving records?
Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin are the states that don’t share driving records.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
U.S. Department of Transportation’s NHTSA. “National Driver Registry FAQ.” Accessed August 2022.
