The Interstate Driver’s License Compact
The Interstate Driver’s License Compact serves the purpose of allowing different state DMVs to communicate. Therefore, if a person is visiting California and is arrested for drunk driving, the home state of the driver will find out about the arrest. This may affect the driver’s insurance as well as driving record in his or her home state.
Being arrested for DUI / DWI in California can be stressful, especially if one is from out-of-state. While you may have feelings of distress or anger following your arrest, do not waste any time in locating a qualified California DUI / DWI attorney. Wasting time will likely result in a suspension of your driver’s license by the Department of Motor Vehicles, which in turn will provide that information to your state’s DMV. If you or someone you know has been charged with a drunk driving offense you may need to find that person who remains in custody, and you will need to locate a bail bondsman too.
It is not always simple locating a friend or loved one who is in custody without the right information. When attempting to locate someone it is helpful to have the individual’s full name and birthdate as well as a booking number related to the arrest.
The state of California may not suspend the home state license of a driver. The best the Department of Motor Vehicles can do is to suspend the driver’s driving privileges in California. A person with an out-of-state driver’s license can fight the California suspension at a DMV hearing. The best way to challenge the DMV is to hire a California criminal defense attorney with vast experience in DUI / DWI cases.
The Interstate Driver’s License Compact is signed by 45 states. These states have a reciprocal arrangement regarding information related to certain convictions such as diving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Each state that is party to the Compact may suspend, restrict, or revoke the state license belonging to the driver. The five states that do not belong to the Compact are Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Some states like California have administrative systems that handle DUI / DWI cases through a DMV hearing or something similar. Other states do not have such systems. Rather, these states wait until a person has been convicted of a DUI / DWI in criminal court. Once the conviction is reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles by the courts, the DMV will consider administrative action against the license. If you are in any state, it is wise to consult with the best attorney available in that state.
Punishments between states vary. Some states will simply enforce the same punishment that was given in another state. Others will give lighter sentences, while some other states will simply ignore some convictions.
The best possible way for drivers with out-of-state licenses to keep their driving privileges after a California DUI / DWI arrest is to challenge the California Department of Motor Vehicles. A California criminal defense attorney with vast experience in DUI / DWI cases can provide information about the all states’ licensing policies and successfully challenge these administrative hearings.
