Interstate Driver License Compact
The Interstate Driver License Compact is an agreement between states, including Florida. The agreement governs how information is shared for various types of traffic convictions.
The traffic infractions covered by the Interstate Driver License Compact include everything from criminal traffic offenses such as driving under the influence (DUI) and reckless driving to civil infractions such as speeding and other moving violations.
Under the Interstate License Compact, the records for traffic infractions and suspensions are sent to the nonresident’s home state. The home state could then treat the traffic offense as if it had occurred in the home state and apply the home state’s laws to the traffic offense that was committed out of state.
The Interstate Driver License Compact does not include several states, including Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Georgia, Michigan, and Tennessee. Tennessee dropped out of the Interstate Driver License Compact in 1997.
National Driver Register as a Comprehensive Database
States also supply information to the National Driver Register, a comprehensive database for driving offense records concerning drivers who have revoked or suspended driver’s licenses due to serious traffic offenses such as DUI, reckless driving, and vehicular manslaughter.
The State of Florida can use information in the National Driver Register to deny someone applying for a driver’s license in Florida.
Suppose you are arrested or cited in Florida for a civil or criminal traffic offense but have an out-of-state driver’s license. In that case, contacting an attorney in your home state is important to determine the impact a conviction might have on your driving record.
Your attorney in Florida should also discuss these collateral consequences with you before the case is resolved so that you can make an informed decision about how to resolve your case.
