Interstate Driver License Compact

The Interstate Driver License Compact is an agreement between states including Florida that 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 home state of the nonresident. The home state could then treat the traffic offense as if it had occurred in the home state and apply the laws of the home state to the traffic offense that was committed out of state.

Several states are not included in the Interstate Driver License Compact 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 which is a comprehensive database for driving offense records concerning drivers who have revoked or suspended driver licenses due to serious traffic offenses such as DUI, reckless driving, vehicular manslaughter.

Information in the National Driver Register can be used by the State of Florida to deny someone applying for a driver’s license in Florida.

If you are arrested or cited in Florida for a civil or criminal traffic offense but have an out of state driver license, it is important to contact an attorney in your home state to find out what 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.