The Interstate Driver's License Compact: How It May Affect Your DUI
Most states have pretty strict laws when it comes to traffic and driving. If you speed, run a stop sign or red light, cause an accident or engage in other risky or unlawful driving practices, you could end up with a citation and a hefty fine—or worse. A Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated conviction is just one of many things that could cause legal problems for drivers and may even end up in the suspension or revocation of your driving privileges.
It is natural to think that you have a bit more freedom to bend the rules when you're driving out of your home state. While this is sometimes the case, the Interstate Driver's License Compact, often dubbed IDLC, can change things in this regard. Under the Interstate Driver's License Compact, a person who is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs that is licensed in a state different from that in which they were arrested may face consequences in both states. The Compact is an agreement made between 45 of the 50 states that requires state agencies to provide information about arrests, convictions and even citations that take place in a state other than that in which they are licensed. For this reason, a DUI conviction in a state other than your own may result in the very same consequences that they would have faced had the incident taken place in their home state.
After the information is shared, there are often two different types of cases that are opened. The firstone is with the respective court jurisdiction. The second case is opened with the Department of Motor Vehicles or Secretary of State in the defendant's home state. This may incite a suspension of driving privileges, but this information varies from case to case. The driver may be suspended from driving in the state they were arrested in, the state they live in, or both.
The burden of proof is on the convicting state. In most cases, the convicting state must prove within a shadow of a doubt that the defendant was operating or intended to operate the vehicle under the influence. If the defendant is able to beat or lessen the charge, that information is what will be shared with the home state, if applicable. Defendants are often required to appear in court in the state in which they were arrested.
The Interstate Driver's License Compact isn't a sure thing, though. Five of the 50 states do not participate in the Compact. This means that a person driving in or living in the states of Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Michigan or Wisconsin may not face the same issues as a person arrested for a DUI in one of the 45 states that do participate. The communication is often lacking between states and the participation of two states in the Compact does not guarantee that action will be taken accordingly.
It never pays to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The consequences are not just legal, as there are more and more alcohol-related deaths from driving each and every year. The Interstate Driver's License Compact may cause you to have to face consequences both in your home state and in the state you are traveling to. An arrest and court conviction can easily ruin any vacation. Driver's License Compact or no Driver's License Compact, just don't do it. The consequences probably aren't worth it.