The Interstate Driver's License Compact

Drivers arrested on suspicion of DUI / DWI in California face consequences both at the California Department of Motor Vehicles and in their home states, as a result of the Interstate Driver’s License Compact.

The California DMV cannot revoke an out-of-state license because it is considered the property of another state. However, California can suspend a driver’s privileges within the state, and will notify the licensing state of the DUI / DWI arrest through the Interstate Driver’s License Compact. The best way for an out-of-state licensee facing a drunk driving charge in California to protect his or her license is to fight suspension at the California DMV hearing. An experienced DUI / DWI attorney can challenge the DMV’s action, and vastly improve a driver’s chance of keeping his or her license.

The Interstate Driver’s License Compact is an agreement between 45 states to share information regarding certain types of convictions, including drunk driving, DUI/ DWI, and driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) convictions. If the driver’s license was issued by the one of the 45 states, the licensing state may revoke the motorist’s driving privileges.

Whether a state will take action against a driver’s license depends on the state itself. There are five states that are not a party to the agreement, and will not take any action. These states are Wisconsin, Tennessee, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Michigan.

Other states have an administrative system similar to California’s. These states may acknowledge an APS suspension even without a court conviction in California. States that don’t have an administrative system may require a court conviction before they will take any action against a driver’s privileges.

The type of action taken depends on the state as well. Some states duplicate the actions of the state where the arrest was made. For example, if California suspends a driver’s privileges within that state for four months, the licensing state may suspend for the same length of time. Other states may enhance the action, or even require the payment of fines. Other states may be more lenient.

The best way for out-of-state drivers to retain their licenses after a California DUI / DWI arrest is to avoid having their driving privileges revoked by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. A lawyer who specializes in California drunk driving cases can provide information about the driver’s home state licensing policies and challenge a DMV hearing

NRVC - This is a list of the Non Resident Violator Compact... A list of states that communicate with one another if you get a ticket out of your home state.		DLC - This is a list of states that belong to the Driver License Compact. An agreement between these states basically says you have only ONE drivers license record.
DLC/NRVC COMPACT MEMBER JOINED DATES
NRVC	EFFECTIVE DATE	DLC	EFFECTIVE DATE
Alabama	October 1981	Alabama	1966
Alaska	Not a Member	Alaska	September 1986
Arizona	January 1993	Arizona	1963
Arkansas	January 1986	Arkansas	1969
California	Not a Member	California	1963
Colorado	January 1982	Colorado	1965
Connecticut	January 1981	Connecticut	January 1993
Delaware	February 1979	Delaware	1964
District of Columbia	August 1980	District of Columbia	November 1985
Florida	October 1981	Florida	1967
Georgia	February 1980	Georgia	Not a Member
Hawaii	January 1996	Hawaii	1971
Idaho	October 1992	Idaho	1963
Illinois	July 1984	Illinois	1963
Indiana	January 1980	Indiana	1967
Iowa	November 1980	Iowa	1965
Kansas	January 1983	Kansas	1965
Kentucky	December 1978	Kentucky	August 1996
Louisiana	November 1979	Louisiana	1968
Maine	January 1982	Maine	1963
Maryland	July 1979	Maryland	1978
Massachusetts	December 1987	Massachusetts	Not a Member
Michigan	Not a Member	Michigan	Not a Member
Minnesota	October 1978	Minnesota	1990
Mississippi	March 1979	Mississippi	1962
Missouri	October 1980	Missouri	October 1985
Montana	Not a Member	Montana	1963
Nebraska	January 1982	Nebraska	1963
Nevada	February 1990	Nevada	1961
New Hampshire	January 1982	New Hampshire	October 1986
New Jersey	July 1983	New Jersey	1966
New Mexico	January 1985	New Mexico	1963
New York	June 1982	New York	1965
North Carolina	September 1980	North Carolina	September 1993
North Dakota	July 1980	North Dakota	May 1986
Ohio	January 1985	Ohio	October 1987
Oklahoma	July 1987	Oklahoma	1967
Oregon	Not a Member	Oregon	1963
Pennsylvania	July 1979	Pennsylvania	October 1994
Rhode Island	April 1986	Rhode Island	January 1987
South Carolina	January 1981	South Carolina	August 1987
South Dakota	May 1980	South Dakota	November 1987
Tennessee	September 1984	Tennessee	'65/'97 dropped out
Texas	January 1982	Texas	September 1993
Utah	July 1985	Utah	1965
Vermont	October 1985	Vermont	October 1987
Virginia	July 1980	Virginia	1963
Washington	October 1993	Washington	1963
West Virginia	July 1978	West Virginia	July 1972
Wisconsin	Not a Member	Wisconsin	Not a Member
Wyoming	July 1987	Wyoming	May 1987
View Compact DLC Procedures Manual (This document is in PDF format. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader® software to view the document).		Adobe Acrobat Reader® software can be downloaded from www.Adobe.com
The information provided on www.CaliforniaDUIhelp.com is not legal advice, but general information related to DUI and DWI issues.