What happens if your license is suspended in another state

Q: Can I get a drivers license in Tennessee if Im suspended in another state?

No, you cannot get a new drivers license when your license is still suspended in your previous state. States check the National Drivers Register to check for problem drivers.

Table of Contents Show

Suspension or revocation in another state
Events and Penalties
Contact Our Attorneys For Questions About Your Suspended License
How do you get around a suspended license?
Can I get a driver's license in Tennessee if I'm suspended in another state?
Can I get a license in Florida if suspended in another state?
Can I get a PA license if suspended in another state?

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This page, Out of state suspensions and revocations, is offered by
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

If Massachusetts receives notification that your right to operate was suspended or revoked by another state, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) will mail you a suspension notice.

Suspension or revocation in another state

If your Massachusetts driver's license or right to operate has been suspended or revoked due to a suspension or revocation in another state, you must be reinstated in that state before any revocation in Massachusetts can be resolved. The suspension will become effective on the date specified in your suspension notice and will remain in effect until the out-of-state suspension has been resolved.

When your out-of-state suspension or revocation has been resolved, you must present either a Clearance Letter or a current driving record, not more than 30 days old, from the state of suspension to an RMV Service Center. The suspension or revocation in Massachusetts must be removed manually by the RMV, even if the effective date has not been reached. If the Massachusetts suspension has taken effect, you will be required to pay a $100 reinstatement fee.

If your out-of-state offense is related to Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (including Breathalyzer Refusals & Failures) or Vehicular Homicide/Manslaughter, you must see a Hearings Officer and submit the following:

A Certified Driving History (current within 30 days) from the state in which the offense occurred
Court Abstract(s) providing disposition information
A letter of reinstatement from the state of violation (current within 30 days)

These offenses will be treated as if they occurred in the Commonwealth if you were licensed in Massachusetts at the time of the offense. The RMV will review your record and determine if the offense is similar to any existing laws in Massachusetts and apply any penalties that may be required.

Events and Penalties

Out-of-State Event	Penalty in Massachusetts	Massachusetts General Law
Massachusetts driver's license is suspended/revoked in another jurisdiction	Suspension Period: Indefinite suspension imposed on a Massachusetts driver's license until the right to operate has been restored in the other state/ jurisdiction.	Chapter 90 Section 22(c)
Massachusetts driver is convicted of a violation in another jurisdiction that is suspendable in Massachusetts	Suspension Period: Suspension imposed on a Massachusetts driver's license for either the period provided for by Massachusetts General Laws or the state/ jurisdiction where the violation occurred, whichever is greater.	Chapter 90 Section 22(c)

Yes, at least temporarily. In the USA, each individual state honors licenses to drive issued by sister states. This allows you to drive in states other than your home state even though you don’t have a license in that particular state. For example, if your license was issued by Virginia, that license allows you to drive in every other state as long as it remains valid, assuming you have not had your privilege to drive in some other state revoked. If you have had your privilege to drive in some other state revoked, then your Virginia license allows you to drive everywhere except that state.

On the other hand, the suspension or revocation of your privilege to drive in some other state has no immediate effect on your Virginia license. In theory, word of that out-of-state suspension will be communicated to Virginia eventually and chances are good that the Virginia DMV will take some action against your Virginia license at that time. However, until such time as you are notified that the Virginia DMV has taken some action to suspend or revoke your Virginia license, it remains valid despite your privilege to drive being suspended in another state.

Contact Our Attorneys For Questions About Your Suspended License

If you have been arrested or ticketed and accused of Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License, or some other Criminal or Traffic violation and would like to speak with a Virginia DUI / DWI Criminal & Traffic Defense Lawyer, call The Wilson Law Firm at 703-659-9740 and we’ll be happy to discuss your situation with you in more detail.

How do you get around a suspended license?

How to Get Around While Your License Is Suspended.

Applying for a Restricted Driver's License..

Using Public Transportation or Ridesharing..

Carpooling, Walking, and Biking..

Can I get a driver's license in Tennessee if I'm suspended in another state?

No, you cannot get a new driver's license when your license is still suspended in your previous state. States check the National Drivers Register to check for problem drivers.

Can I get a license in Florida if suspended in another state?

Driving a motor vehicle in Florida is a privilege you earn. You cannot get a license in Florida under the following conditions: If your license is suspended or revoked in any state.

Can I get a PA license if suspended in another state?

PA license suspension. Can I go to another state and get a new one? No. If your license in your home-state is suspended and you attempt to obtain a license from any of the DLC states using a DLC residence, you will not be able to obtain a driver's license.