There are 46 states that comprise what’s called the Driver License Compact (DLC). The DLC is an effort to make sure that suspensions and other license laws are upheld when individuals drive in other DLC states.
Part of License Restoration Inc.’s mission is to get you driving on the Pennsylvania roadways. When situations involving member states occur, License Restoration Services makes the process of restoring your license easy. We have a thorough understanding of the DLC, which is described below. Contact us with any questions you may have.
The DLC
Broken down, the DLC is a pact between 46 member states. Each member state agrees that driving privileges will transfer among those states. For example, if you have suspended driver’s license in Delaware, Florida, or New York, and you move to Pennsylvania, your license will be suspended in Pennsylvania as well.
There are four major provisions of the DLC:
- Each state agrees to the concept of “one driver’s license.” This means that if you apply for a new license in a member state, you must surrender your old license in the previous state.
- Each state agrees to the concept of a “one driver record.” Each state must maintain a thorough driving record for all individuals with a license.
- If you have your license suspended out-of-state, that state must report the suspension to your home state. For example: if you live in Pennsylvania, and have your license suspended in Virgina, Ohio, or California, that state must inform Pennsylvania of the suspension.
- Treating offenses that occur in DLC member states as though they occurred in the state of residence.
Member state violations = home state violations
While not all violations that occur in a member state can lead to the suspension of your Pennsylvania license, there are several that will. They include:
- Manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
- Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a narcotic that renders a person incapable of driving a vehicle safely.
- Failure to stop and help at a motor vehicle accident that results in the death or injury of another individual.
- Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used (Crimes Code and Dangerous Drug Act offenses).
The good news: PennDOT will not assess points to your Pennsylvania driver’s license for a point-related offense in another member state (unless you hold a Commercial Driver’s License). Point-related violations include speeding, red light, and stop sign offenses.
Suspension Lengths
The following items relate to violations in a member state.
- DUI. If your violation occurred before February 1, 2004, Penndot will suspend your license for one year. If your violation occurred on or after February 1, 2004, you will not have your license suspended. If it is your second offense, then PenDOT will impose a one year suspension.
- Serious traffic offense. PennDOT will suspend your license for a minimum of one year. You could end up with a five-year suspension, however, if it is your third serious traffic offense under Section 1542 of the Vehicle Code.
Your suspension in Pennsylvania will probably not begin at the same time as the member state. Most of the time, the member state will suspend your driving privileges first. Pennsylvania will then receive the conviction from the member state, and then suspend your license.
Non-Pennsylvania drivers
An out-of-state driver convicted in Pennsylvania will have their license suspended in PA if convicted of certain serious offenses (DUI, homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, fleeing or eluding police, racing, and driving with a suspended license).
