Driver License Compact

Driver License Compact (DLC) is an interstate compact used by States of the United States to exchange information concerning license suspensions and traffic violations of non-residents and forward them to the state where they are licensed known as the home state. Its theme is One Driver, One License, One Record. The home state would treat the offense as if it had been committed at home, applying home state laws to the out-of-state offense. The action taken would include, but not be limited to, points assessed on a minor offense such as speeding and suspension of license or a major violation such as DWI/DUI. It is not supposed to include non-moving violations like parking tickets, tinted windows, loud exhaust, etc.

Overview

Under the Driver License Compact, in order for a driver's state to penalize him/her for an out-of-state offense, the driver's state must have the equivalent statute. If the driver's state does not have the statute, no action can be taken. For example, the State of Indiana does not have a careless driving offense whereas Colorado does. If an Indiana licensed driver gets convicted of careless driving in Colorado, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles takes no action.

History

The Driver License Compact came into existence with Nevada becoming the first member in 1960. Organizations in the Western States such as Governors came together to cooperate on traffic safety. Under the Beemer Resolution passed by Congress in the late 1950s, states were automatically given permission to form compacts in the areas of traffic safety. Originally, the Driver License Compact dealt with dangerous driving violations such as drunk driving, reckless driving, commission of a felony involving a motor vehicle and others. Later on, minor violations were included as well. Quite a few states joined in the 1960s but it languished in the 1970s and part of the 1980s. In the late 1980s, there was a push by the AAMVA to get states to join and in the early to mid 1990s, quite a few states joined.

The Driver License Compact is no longer being pushed since it is being superseded by the new Driver License Agreement (DLA) which also replaces the Non-Resident Violator Compact. As planned by the AAMVA, when the Driver License Agreement is ratified by Driver License Compact members, it will be no longer relevant.

States that are members

All states are members except for Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Tennessee (dropped out in 1997).^[1] Nevada repealed the authorizing legislation in 2007,^[2] although it still generally conforms to the agreement through regulations.^{[citation needed]}

Exceptions

• Some states do not assess points for minor offenses and apply the DLC for only major violations such as Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New York^[3] and Pennsylvania
• States that are members are free to take action on violations reported from a non-member states as well
• Pennsylvania only transfers points from another state within the agreement if it meets certain conditions.^[4]
• New Jersey assigns 2 points for all out of state minor violations regardless if the point values are higher if committed in the home state.^[5]

Special agreements

• New York does assess points for minor violations received in Ontario and Quebec.^[3]
• Michigan and Ontario exchange information and take adverse action.
• Maine and Quebec exchange information and take adverse action.
• Florida and Quebec exchange information and take adverse action.

National Driver Register

The National Driver Register (NDR) is a computerized database of information about drivers who have had their licenses revoked or suspended, or who have been convicted of serious traffic violations such as driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. State motor vehicle agencies provide NDR with the names of individuals who have lost their privilege or who have been convicted of a serious traffic violation. When a person applies for a driver's license the state checks to see if the name is on the NDR file. If a person has been reported to the NDR as a problem driver, the license may be denied.^[6]

Notes

1. ^ American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators: http://www.aamva.org/aamva/DocumentDisplay.aspx?id={A0B6D32F-1B87-4430-9639-DAFC6A67AA54}
2. ^ 2007 Nev. Stat. 2781
3. ^ ^{a b} New York State Department of Motor Vehicles: Traffic Tickets
4. ^ PENNDOT DLC Fact Sheet
5. ^ New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission: Violations committed in other states
6. ^ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: National Driver Register (NDR)