Most states have reciprocal agreements with each other regarding driver convictions. The shared information may be about a minor offense, such as a speeding ticket, or a major offense, like a DUI.
The Driver’s License Compact (DLC) and Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) are the main reciprocal agreements for traffic violations. There is also the Driver’s License Agreement (DLA), but only a few states are members.
- Member states of the Driver’s License Compact (DLC) share traffic ticket convictions of drivers with other states.
- Five states don’t share speeding ticket information with other states: Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
- Member states of the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) must suspend the driver’s license of anyone who fails to pay or otherwise legally resolve moving violations in another state.
- The states that are not NRVC members are Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon and Wisconsin.
- The National Driver Register contains records of drivers whose licenses were revoked or suspended and those convicted of a DUI.
Do speeding tickets transfer from state to state?
Each state has its own rules for handling speeding tickets. While the ticket itself will not transfer from another state to your own state, your state might get involved in forcing you to pay your obligation in many cases.
For example, state agreements could result in your own state suspending your driving privileges because you did not pay a ticket in another state.
A speeding ticket in another state also might appear on your driving record in your own state.
If you get a ticket in another state, does it go on your record?
In most cases, an out-of-state ticket will appear on your driving record. Agreements such as the Driver’s License Compact mean your infraction will likely be reported to your home state’s licensing authority.
There are exceptions to the rule. Some states treat out-of-state violations with more leniency than others. Knowing your state’s rules will help you to determine whether a ticket in another state is likely to appear on your record.
If I get a speeding ticket in another state, do I get points on my license?
The rules about whether you receive points for a speeding ticket vary from state to state. However, most states will assign points to your driver’s license if you receive a speeding ticket when driving out of state.
There are exceptions to this rule. States such as Colorado and Pennsylvania will not record minor out-of-state violations, such as speeding tickets. The violation will be recorded in Maryland and Nevada, but you will not get points for an out-of-state offense.
Which states belong to the Driver’s License Compact?
Member Driver’s License Compact (DLC) states must report driver traffic ticket convictions to the driver’s home state. That state determines whether to place the traffic offense on the driver’s record and if points are added to the driver’s license.
Members of the DLC:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
The members include all states except
Even if your state isn’t part of the DLC, an out-of-state ticket may follow you because most states have informal agreements to share information about traffic tickets.
What is the Non-Resident Violator Compact?
The Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) requires member states to suspend the driver’s license of those who get traffic tickets for moving violations in other states and fail to pay them or otherwise legally resolve them. It does not apply to vehicle registration or parking citations.
Current members of the NRVC:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
NRVC members include all states except:
- Alaska
- California
- Michigan
- Montana
- Oregon
- Wisconsin
Again, though, each state may have agreements with other states and may still suspend or penalize a driver who doesn’t pay their out-of-state traffic ticket.
What is the Driver’s License Agreement?
To establish a one-driver, one-record system, the Driver’s License Agreement (DLA) hopes to combine the DLC and NRVC and become a more efficient and effective agreement for the jurisdictions to share and transmit driver and conviction information.
However, few states have gravitated to the DLA. Thus far, only Arkansas, Connecticut, and Massachusetts have signed up as members.
What is the National Driver Register?
Another registry is the National Driver Register (NDR), in which all states and the District of Columbia participate. The NDR contains records on drivers who have had their licenses revoked or suspended or were convicted of serious traffic violations (such as a DUI) throughout the U.S.
When a person applies for a driver’s license, the state DMV checks if that individual’s name is in the NDR file. A new license may be denied if you’re listed as a problem driver on the NDR.
Which states do not transfer driving records?
Many states have taken the initiative to collaborate on addressing driving convictions, allowing them to share information regardless of severity. This could range from a minor speeding ticket to more serious offenses such as DUIs. However, the following states do not transfer driving records:
- Georgia
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
Can you contest a traffic ticket received out-of-state?
Getting a ticket out-of-state adds another wrinkle in your fight to contest the violation. Generally, when you contest a ticket, you will be expected to appear in court. This is more challenging for those who do not live in the state where the court hearing occurs.
If you are willing to make the trip, traveling to the state in question and appearing in court might give you the best odds of successfully fighting a ticket. However, you have other options. For example, you might be able to hire an attorney in the state to appear in court on your behalf.
You can also contest the ticket in writing, explaining your side of the story. However, not all states offer this option.
Do you have to pay a traffic ticket you received out-of-state?
You must pay for a traffic ticket even if you got it in a state you don’t live in. The ticket itself should include all the essential information you must know to pay the ticket, including the amount, when payment is due and where to send payment.
Fail to pay an out-of-state ticket and you could be arrested the next time you are in that state. At the very least, you will likely face additional fees.
In addition, it is possible your own state could suspend your license under the terms of the Non-Resident Violator Compact.
Does your insurance go up if you receive an out-of-state ticket?
If you receive a ticket in a state other than your personal state of residence, your insurance costs may increase.
“A speeding ticket has insurance premium consequences,” says Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. “A ‘lead foot’ across state lines won’t prevent you from a rate hike.”
Most states in the U.S. share information about the driving history of residents and others through the Driver License Compact or other agreements.
However, this is not automatically the case. It is also possible that your insurer will decide to leave your rates as they are. In addition, each state has a policy for out-of-state tickets. So, the impact of an out-of-state ticket on your insurance costs will depend on both your insurer and your state’s laws.
Find out if out-of-state traffic tickets follow you home
People also ask
I currently reside in Tennessee, but I’m moving to Washington state. Will any speeding tickets I received in Tennessee transfer when I get a driving license in Washington state?
Your driving record will follow you almost anywhere in the United States; 45 states and Washington, D.C., have signed the Driver’s License Compact (DLC), which requires states to share information about traffic violations. The DLC requires member states to report tickets to the state where the motorist received their license.
If you move between states while you have points on your license, they’ll usually transfer over according to the terms of the Interstate Compact Act. In most states, an unpaid traffic ticket will automatically suspend your driver’s license.
If you get a ticket in Dalton City, Georgia, will they report it to Kansas, and will your license be suspended? Kansas is where the drivers license is held.
If you fail to pay the ticket or otherwise legally resolve any moving violations in Georgia, the Kansas DMV can suspend you license under the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC).
Final thoughts
If you get a speeding ticket in another state you should not ignore it. Either pay the ticket or contest it in court. Failure to address the ticket’s terms and ignore your obligation to resolve the matter can get you into trouble.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
NHTSA. “National Driver Register.” Accessed February 2024.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
Ask the Insurance Expert
John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Leslie Kasperowicz
Executive Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.