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- Member states of the Driver’s License Compact share traffic ticket convictions of drivers with other states.
- Member states of the Non-Resident Violator Compact must suspend the driver’s license of anyone who fails to pay or otherwise legally resolve moving violations in another state.
- The National Driver Register contains records of drivers whose licenses were revoked or suspended and those convicted of a DUI.
Most states have reciprocal agreements regarding driver convictions known as driver compacts. The shared information may be about a minor offense, such as a speeding ticket, or a major offense, like a DUI.
Understanding the legal framework behind ticket reciprocity
Most states share traffic violation information through agreements known as driver compacts. Here’s how they work:
- Driver License Compact (DLC): Used by 45 states and Washington, D.C. to exchange driver records. If you get a ticket out of state, it’s usually reported back home.
- Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC): Ensures that drivers who ignore out-of-state citations face consequences. For example, if you skip paying a ticket in another state, your home state may suspend your license until you resolve it.
- Driver License Agreement (DLA): A newer system designed to combine both DLC and NRVC. So far, only Arkansas, Connecticut and Massachusetts participate.
| Compact | What It Does | States That Do Not Participate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver License Compact (DLC) | Shares driver records (tickets, convictions, suspensions) across states | Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, Wisconsin | 45 states + DC are members. |
| Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) | Ensures drivers can’t ignore out-of-state tickets; unpaid tickets can result in suspension | Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Wisconsin, Virginia | Most states enforce; non-members handle unpaid tickets separately |
| Driver License Agreement (DLA) | Newer system combining DLC + NRVC for more complete data sharing | All states except Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts | Adoption is very limited so far |
Driver compact membership by state
Expert tipGeorgia, Michigan, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin don’t participate fully in these compacts, which is why they’re exceptions on reciprocity lists.
Do speeding tickets transfer from state to state?
Each state has its own rules for handling speeding tickets. While the ticket itself will not transfer from another state to your own state, your state might get involved in forcing you to pay your obligation in many cases.
For example, state agreements could result in your own state suspending your driving privileges because you did not pay a ticket in another state.
A speeding ticket in another state also might appear on your driving record in your own state.
How out-of-state tickets affect your license
In most cases, an out-of-state ticket will appear on your driving record. Agreements such as the Driver’s License Compact mean your infraction will likely be reported to your home state’s licensing authority.
Not all states treat out-of-state tickets the same way:
- Some states, like Colorado and Pennsylvania, will record the violation but won’t add points to your license.
- Others, such as Florida, will add points just as if you had committed the violation locally.
Even if your state doesn’t assign points, the ticket can still appear on your record. That’s important because insurers often pull your motor vehicle report (MVR) when setting rates.
How out-of-state tickets impact car insurance rates
Your insurance company may not care where the violation happened — if it’s on your record, it can lead to higher premiums.
“A speeding ticket has insurance premium consequences,” says Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. “A ‘lead foot’ across state lines won’t prevent you from a rate hike.”
- A single speeding ticket can raise rates by about 37% on average at your next renewal.
- More serious violations, like reckless driving or DUI, can raise rates even more, regardless of where the offense occurred.
Remember, insurance companies typically look back three to five years at your driving record when setting rates. That means an out-of-state ticket can follow you for years, even if you’ve since moved or switched insurers.
States belonging to the Driver’s License Compact
Driver’s License Compact member states must report driver traffic ticket convictions to the driver’s home state. That state determines whether to place the traffic offense on the driver’s record and if points are added to the driver’s license.
Members of the Driver’s License Compact:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
The members include all states except:
Even if your state isn’t part of the Driver’s License Compact, an out-of-state ticket may follow you because most states have informal agreements to share information about traffic tickets.
The Non-Resident Violator Compact
The Non-Resident Violator Compact, or NRVC, requires member states to suspend the driver’s license of those who get traffic tickets for moving violations in other states and fail to pay them or otherwise legally resolve them. It does not apply to vehicle registration or parking citations.
Current members of the Non-Resident Violator Compact:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
NRVC members include all states except:
- Alaska
- California
- Michigan
- Montana
- Oregon
- Wisconsin
Again, though, each state may have agreements with other states and may still suspend or penalize a driver who doesn’t pay their out-of-state traffic ticket.
The Driver’s License Agreement
To establish a one-driver, one-record system, the Driver’s License Agreement (DLA) hopes to combine the DLC and NRVC and become a more efficient and effective agreement for the jurisdictions to share and transmit driver and conviction information.
So far, only a few states have gravitated to the DLA — Arkansas, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The National Driver Register
Another registry is the National Driver Register; all states and the District of Columbia participate. The NDR contains records on drivers who have had their licenses revoked or suspended or were convicted of serious traffic violations (such as a DUI) throughout the U.S.
When a person applies for a driver’s license, the state DMV checks if that individual’s name is in the NDR file. A new license may be denied if you’re listed as a problem driver on the NDR.
Which states do not transfer driving records?
Many states have taken the initiative to collaborate on addressing driving convictions, allowing them to share information regardless of severity. This could range from a minor speeding ticket to more serious offenses such as DUIs. However, the following states do not transfer driving records:
- Georgia
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
Frequently Asked Questions: Out-of-state ticket reciprocity
Do all states share traffic ticket information?
Almost all do. Only Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin don’t fully participate.
Will an out-of-state ticket put points on my license?
It depends on your home state. Some record the violation without assigning points, while others treat it as if it happened locally.
How long does it take for an out-of-state ticket to show up?
It varies, but typically the ticket is reported within 30–60 days.
Can I fight an out-of-state ticket?
Yes, but you’ll usually need to contest it in the state where it was issued, either in person or by hiring an attorney there.
Will my insurance go up after an out-of-state ticket?
If the ticket ends up on your driving record, your insurer can raise your rates just as if it happened in your home state.
Do you have to pay a traffic ticket you received out-of-state?
You must pay for a traffic ticket even if you got it in a state you don’t live in. Failure to pay an out-of-state ticket could result in your arrest the next time you are in that state.
People also ask
I currently reside in Tennessee, but I’m moving to Washington state. Will any speeding tickets from Tennessee transfer to Washington?
Your driving record will follow you almost anywhere in the United States; 45 states and Washington, D.C., have signed the Driver’s License Compact (DLC), which requires states to share information about traffic violations. The DLC requires member states to report tickets to the state where the motorist received their license.
If you move between states while you have points on your license, they’ll usually transfer over according to the terms of the Interstate Compact Act. In most states, an unpaid traffic ticket will automatically suspend your driver’s license.
If you get a ticket in Dalton City, Georgia, will they report it to Kansas, and will your license be suspended? Kansas is where the driver’s license is held.
If you fail to pay the ticket or otherwise legally resolve any moving violations in Georgia, the Kansas DMV can suspend you license under the Non-Resident Violator Compact.
Final thoughts
If you get a speeding ticket in another state you should not ignore it. Either pay the ticket or contest it in court. Failure to address the ticket’s terms and ignore your obligation to resolve the matter can get you into trouble.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
NHTSA. “National Driver Register.” Accessed August 2025.
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