Driver License Compact

The Driver License Compact, a framework setting out the basis of a series of laws within adopting states in the United States (as well as similar reciprocal agreements in adopting provinces of Canada), gives states a simple standard for reporting, tracking, and punishing traffic violations occurring outside of their state, without requiring individual treaties between every pair of states. Convictions and dispositions of driving violations are reported to a licensee's home state, which may take its own administrative actions. Pre-conviction reports may also be made for serious crimes. Out-of-state suspensions, revocations, or blocked renewals must also be honored by every state within the compact. A final provision ensures that no one can hold a license in two states by requiring the surrender of the old license.^[1]

The Driver License Compact came into existence with Nevada becoming the first member in 1960. Organizations in the Western States, including governors, came together to collaborate on traffic safety. Under the Beamer Resolution ("Interstate Compacts for Highway Safety Resolution"), Public Law 85-684, enacted on August 20, 1958, 72 Stat. 635 (named for Rep. John V. Beamer, R-Indiana),^{[2][failed verification]} states were automatically permitted to form compacts in the areas of traffic safety. Originally, the Driver's License Compact dealt with dangerous driving violations such as drunk driving, reckless driving, the commission of a felony involving a motor vehicle, and others. Later on, minor violations were included as well. 23 states joined during the 1960s, and the 1986-87 period saw 10 more states join; the rest trickled in until Pennsylvania became the last to join in 1996.^[1]

The Driver License Compact is no longer being pushed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), as it has been superseded by the Driver License Agreement (DLA), which also replaces the Non-Resident Violator Compact. However, as of 2011^[update], there were only three member states to the DLA: Arkansas, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

Some states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia are not members.^[3][4] According to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators,^[5] Nevada repealed the authorizing legislation in 2007,^[6] although it still generally conforms to the agreement through regulations.^[4]

• Some states, such as Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New York,^[7] and Pennsylvania, do not assess points for minor offenses and apply the DLC for only major violations.
• States that are members are free to take action on violations reported from a non-member state as well.
• Michigan Legislature passed in 2018 as House Bill 6011, which allows Michigan to enter into the compact.^[8] As of 2021, the Governor has not yet done so.
• Pennsylvania transfers points from another state within the agreement only if it meets certain conditions.^[9]
• New Jersey assigns two points for all out-of-state minor violations regardless of whether the point values are higher or lower if committed in the home state.^[10]