Can My Out of State License Be Suspended?

This is a question I hear all of the time and the simple answer is “maybe.”

The truth is, that it depends on the charge and on your state in which your license has been issued.

When someone is charged with an offense such as Driving While Intoxicated(DWI) / Driving Under the Influenced (DUI), Reckless Driving, Possession of Marijuana,  or Possession of a Controlled Substance the penalty may include a statutory license suspension.

A Virginia judge, however, only has the authority to suspend your privilege to drive in Virginia. A Virginia judge can not take your out of state driver’s license.  He or she can mandate that you are not allowed to drive within the confines of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Be aware that most states are part of the Driver’s License Compact or the Interstate Driver’s License Compact  (http://www.aamva.org/Drivers-License-Compacts).  This is an agreement between most states to exchange information regarding DUI, DWI, and other serious traffic offense suspensions.  If your home state is part of the compact, there is a chance that your license will also be suspended in your home state.

Not all convictions and suspensions will transfer or be made known to your home state.

If you are charged with an offense such as Reckless Driving, Driving Under the Influence, Driving While Intoxicated, Possession of Marijuana, or Possession of a Controlled Substance, please contact our office to see how we can help keep you from having your license suspended in Virginia and possibly your home state.