The Out-of-State Ticket Trap: Why Your Driving Record Follows You to PA
A traffic violation outside your home state isn’t as harmful as you might think. For drivers in PA, traffic offenses committed across state lines can have very real and serious consequences back home.
Thanks to two major interstate agreements, your driving record is now truly a national one. Understanding how these systems work is critical to protecting your PA driving privileges. We will also explain why you’re going to need the services of a seasoned Pittsburgh criminal lawyer here.
DLC and NDR
The ability to track and act on out-of-state violations relies mainly on two key information systems:
DLC
PA is part of the Driver License Compact (DLC), which is an agreement among 46 member states. It has been designed to ensure that driving history, convictions, and moving violations follow you home.
- Under the DLC, if you commit a major traffic offense (like DUI or vehicular manslaughter) in a member state, PennDOT will treat it like it occurred in PA, and it will impose the appropriate penalties.
- If another state suspends your license, the DLC requires PA to honor that suspension and suspend your PA license as well.
- The good news for most non-commercial drivers is that while minor traffic offenses will be reported to PennDOT, it’s not added to your driving record. This exception obviously doesn’t apply to those who hold a Commercial Driver’s License.
NDR
Beyond the DLC, if your license is revoked or suspended in any state, that information is accessible through a system. This federal system is called the National Driver Register (NDR).
The national database makes sure that drivers with sanctions cannot simply move to a new state and easily obtain a new license.
The Impact on Insurance
No matter which state’s system tracks your violation, your insurance company will react the same way.
They subscribe to their own exhaustive databases and are just as likely to raise your rates for a traffic offense allegedly committed in Miami. Yes, they will treat this offense as if you committed it in your Philadelphia neighborhood. They only see risk, not geography.
How a PA Traffic Lawyer Can Help
Facing an out-of-state ticket is usually more complicated than a local one due to the collateral damage it inflicts on your home state’s record. This is where a skilled lawyer proves invaluable.
An experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer will:
- Work hard to discredit or challenge evidence.
- Strategically use the rules of the DLC and PennDOT to navigate interstate rules and minimize the consequences.
- Usually, a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can attend court appearances on your behalf. You don’t need to travel back to the state where the ticket was issued, saving you considerable expense and time.
A Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can handle the matter and appear in court on the client’s behalf. By negotiating a plea to a no-point (non-moving) violation, the lawyer ensures a resolution gas no negative impact on the client’s home state license. This effectively mitigates the potential points and collateral consequences.
When you’re up against an out-of-state traffic violation, having a seasoned lawyer is your best defense. At Logue Law Group, our lawyers understand both the local court procedures and the multi-state reporting system. So, reach out to us at sean@seanloguelaw.com.