Table of Contents
- What Is the Driver's License Compact?
- How Does the DLC Affect Drivers With a Virginia License Suspension?
- What Happens if You Drive in Another State With a Suspended Virginia License?
- How Can You Reinstate Your Virginia Driver's License After It Was Suspended?
- Consult Our Experienced Driver's License Restoration Lawyers
If you have a Virginia suspended license, the suspension can follow you across state lines. Why? It's due to the Driver's License Compact (DLC). This agreement allows states to share information about your driving record, including any suspensions or revocations.
At The Wilson Law Firm, our experienced Manassas driver’s license restoration lawyers understand how devastating it can be to lose your driving privileges. We’re here to defend the underlying charges you face that could result in your driver’s license being suspended in Virginia. We can also explain how the Driver’s License Compact can affect you if your license is suspended and help you get your license restored.
What Is the Driver's License Compact?
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) could suspend your driver’s license if you are convicted of many crimes, such as DUI and reckless driving. The Driver's License Compact is an interstate agreement that facilitates the exchange of driving record information among member states. Under Virginia Code § 46.2-483, Virginia is one of 45 states currently participating in the DLC.
Under the terms of the compact, member states share information about traffic violations, license suspensions, and revocations. For example, if your Virginia driver's license is suspended due to a DUI, reckless driving, hit and run, or other offense, information is transmitted to other member states.
How Does the DLC Affect Drivers With a Virginia License Suspension?
The primary impact of the Driver’s License Compact is that it prevents drivers from escaping the consequences of a license suspension by simply crossing state lines. In the past, some drivers with suspended licenses would obtain a new license in another state to circumvent their suspension. The DLC closes this loophole.
For example, suppose your Virginia driver's license is suspended for a DUI conviction. You then attempt to obtain a new license in Maryland, a DLC member state. When the Maryland DMV checks your driving record, they will see the Virginia suspension and deny your application based on that information shared through the compact.
What Happens if You Drive in Another State With a Suspended Virginia License?
If you drive in another DLC state while your Virginia license is under suspension, you can face serious legal consequences. The other state will treat your suspension as if it had occurred under their laws.
Penalties for driving on a suspended license vary by state but often include hefty fines and the possibility of jail time. You may also face an additional suspension period in the state where you were caught driving, separate from your Virginia suspension. You would be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia for driving when your Virginia license is suspended.
How Can You Reinstate Your Virginia Driver's License After It Was Suspended?
To regain your driving privileges, you must satisfy Virginia's reinstatement requirements, which may include:
- Completing a suspension period
- Paying fines and reinstatement fees
- Fulfilling court-ordered requirements like community service, traffic school, or DUI classes
- Getting a compliance certificate from the Virginia DMV
- Providing proof of insurance
Once you meet these obligations, you can apply for license reinstatement through the Virginia DMV. After clearing your Virginia suspension, you can also obtain a license in your new state without the DLC acting as a barrier.
Consult Our Experienced Driver's License Restoration Lawyers
It can be challenging to get your driving privileges restored after a Virginia driver's license suspension, especially when dealing with the interstate implications of the Driver's License Compact. Our knowledgeable lawyers at The Wilson Law Firm have extensive experience helping Virginia drivers regain their driving privileges after a suspension.
We can review your specific situation, explain how the DLC applies, and guide you through the reinstatement process. With our assistance, you can put your suspension behind you and move forward with a clear path to restoring your driving privileges. We can also defend you if you are charged with a crime that could result in your driver’s license being suspended to avoid this and other harsh consequences of a conviction.