The Driver License Compact (DLC) is an agreement between states that allows license information points to be shared between states. This means that if you receive a traffic ticket or an accident while driving in another state, your home state will be notified. The DLC is important for keeping track of drivers’ records and ensuring that everyone follows the motor vehicle laws.
There are currently 45 states (plus Washington, D.C.) that are part of the DLC agreement. If you’re moving to a new state, be sure to check whether or not it participates in the DLC. If your new state doesn’t participate, you may need to get a new license and register your car to be legal to drive there.
The DLC point system is just one of the ways that states keep track of driver records and motor vehicles. Another way is through the National Driver Register (NDR). The NDR is a database that contains the names of drivers who have been convicted of serious traffic violations, such as DUI/DWI, hit and run, or driving with a suspended or revoked license. If your name appears on the NDR, you may be denied a license in some states and required to pass a driver responsibility assessment or attend traffic school.
So, if you’re moving to a new state, be sure to check both the DLC and NDR databases to see if you’re eligible to drive there. And always obey the traffic laws and be polite to the police officer that pulled you over.