Driver License Compact

New York State has entered in a Driver License Compact with several other states to:

1. Promote compliance with the laws, ordinances, and administrative rules and regulations relating to the operation of motor vehicles by their operators in each of the jurisdictions where such operators drive motor vehicles.

2. Make the reciprocal recognition of licenses to drive and eligibility therefor more just and equitable by considering the overall compliance with motor vehicle laws, ordinances and administrative rules and regulations as a condition precedent to the continuance or issuance of any license by reason of which the licensee is authorized or permitted to operate a motor vehicle in any of the party states.

Effect of a Traffic Conviction in other States

If a person licensed to drive by one of the Compact states and is convicted of a traffic infraction in New York, New York will report it to the driver’s home state.

If the conviction is a DWI/DUI, manslaughter or negligent homicide, a felony using a motor vehicle, or a failure to stop and render aid resulting in the death or personal injury of another, the driver’s home state will treat that conviction as if it happened in the home state and suspend or revoke a driving privilege accordingly. 

If a driver applies for a new license in a compact state, that state will check with all other Driver License Compact states and if that driver's license has been suspended or revoked in another state, that state may deny issuing the new license.  

For example, if New Jersey suspend your license New York would not issue a driving license until that suspension is cleared up.  We recently represented a driver in Maryland to clear up a suspension in NY to allow her to renew in Maryland. 

And finally, and perhaps most importantly, you should count on your insurance company finding out about all traffic convictions. To control premiums, it's important to minimize every ticket and never plead guilty bu mail. 

The Driver License Compact States are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado,Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Florida , Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota , Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.