Searching for an attorney for an out of state DWI case? If you are convicted of DWI in another state, you may face driver’s license suspension in Texas thanks to the Driver License Compact (DLC). The DLC is an interstate compact that is used by states to exchange information concerning driver’s license suspensions and traffic violations from non-residents and forward them to the driver’s home state.

One Driver, Once License, One Record

The theme of the DLC is One Driver, One License, One Record. In participating states, the driver’s home state would treat the offense as if it was committed at home and would apply the home state laws to the out-of-state offense. The actions taken by the home state would include offenses such as DWI and speeding. However, the DLC is not supposed to include non-moving violations such as parking tickets and tinted windows etc.

Under the Driver’s License Compact, in order for a driver’s home state to penalize him or her for an out-of-state offense, the driver’s home state must have an equivalent statue. If a driver’s home state does not have a similar statute, then no action can be taken.

Currently, most states are members of the DLC and the only states which are not members include:

  • Georgia
  • Wisconsin
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Tennessee

Some participating states do not assess points for minor offenses and only apply the DLC to major violations. These states include Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Convicted of DWI in Another State?

While Texas is a member state of the DLC, it is free to take action on violations reported from non-member states as well. The National Driver Registry (NDR) is a computerized database of information about drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked, or who have been convicted of serious traffic violations such as DWI. State motor vehicle agencies provide the NDR with the names of drivers who have been convicted of a serious traffic violation or lost their driving privileges.

Let us say that you are a resident of Texas and are convicted of DWI in Georgia, if you apply for a driver’s license in Texas and the state sees your name in the NDR file from the Georgia conviction, your Texas license may be denied.

If you have been convicted of an out of state DWI, we urge you to contact R. Scott Magee, Attorney at Law. With nearly two decades of experience defending DWI cases, attorney Magee is prepared to defend you against out of state DWI charges. The laws surrounding out of state DWIs can be confusing; we can help explain the laws and what can be done to defend your license and protect your future.