CAN A VIRGINIA TRAFFIC TICKET AFFECT A LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE?
The consequences of traffic violations vary state-by-state in the US, but that doesn’t mean the states aren’t coordinated in their effort to monitor traffic tickets. If you’re issued a traffic ticket in Virginia and your driver’s license is from another state, you may be subject to penalties from both states. Therefore, it’s important that if you’re ticketed, you familiarize yourself with the policies in your home state as well as in the state where you’ve received a traffic citation. The consequences for reckless driving in VA are particularly serious and are best handled by lawyers that handle traffic tickets.
HOW STATES SHARE DRIVER INFORMATION
More than 50 years ago in the 1960s, the Driver’s License Compact was formed to enable and encourage states to share driver information with each other. Today, all states keep information on your license and vehicle in nationally-linked databases such as the National Driver Register and the Driver License Compact.
Once the state of Virginia reports your VA traffic violation to your home state, it will depend on your home state’s policies whether it gets added to your home state driving record. Immediately following receipt of a VA traffic ticket, we recommend that you consult with a traffic attorney in your home state familiar with your local DMV’s procedures who can advise you the pros and cons of fighting the ticket in Virginia versus prepaying the ticket.
WHAT IF YOU RECEIVE A CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR TRAFFIC CHARGE IN VA?
Many out of state drivers are alarmed to learn that on the interstate in Virginia (which has some of the strictest traffic laws in the country) a speeding violation for travelling a mere 11 miles over the speed limit can result in a reckless driving charge and a license suspension in your home state. In VA, reckless driving as well as driving on a suspended license are both classified as misdemeanor crimes. We strongly advise you to talk to an attorney about contesting these types of charges.
OUR HARRISONBURG VIRGINIA TRAFFIC LAWYERS CAN HELP YOUR CASE
If you live out of the area and have been issued a moving violation on Interstate 81 in the Shenandoah Valley, our Harrisonburg VA traffic attorneys at Cook Attorneys can offer you a free traffic defense consultation by telephone and may be able to appear in your place on the court date. In most situations you will not need to return to Virginia to contest your ticket.
Most initial consultations regarding traffic cass take less than twenty minutes. Let us reduce your worry and free up your time. Se habla español. We look forward to speaking with you.