The Secret To Getting A Driver License If You've Lost Your License in Another State

Don't take the risk of driving on a suspended or fake license.

To understand how this works you need to be familiar with the Interstate Driver License Compact.  The gist of what the compact says, is that for all states that participate (not all states participate), if you are denied driving privileges in one state, the others will also deny your driving privileges.  

So, if somebody has a hold on your license, it keeps you from getting a license in all the other states which are members of the Compact. Which is almost all the other states.

So the states that don’t participate in the compact might give you a license because they aren’t receiving the information from the other states.

In practical terms this means that if you qualify for a license under any of these states laws, you must  become a resident.  Each state has their own residency requirements but  it can be as easy as having a mailing address.

How Do You Know If You Qualify?

You won’t know until you give it a try.  There are no clear cut laws, some of it is luck and some of it is knowing the laws that go into it.  But it’s important to learn exactly how to go about doing it to give yourself the best chance of succeeding…

Here's Exactly How it Works

 First, you would apply for a license in another state. The state which you choose to apply for is critical.  Again, you want to consider the Driver License Compact to increase your chances of success.  Because of your conviction (from your home state), you could be turned down or it could go through on the first try.  If it goes through, Congratulations, you now have a new clean legal license!  If it does not go through, you still have some options.

Another option that has worked quite nicely for many people in the DUI Process is to look back to a previous state that you were licensed in (even if they are a member of the Driver License Compact) and attempt to renew your license with them.  

It's a pretty easy process, and works about half the time.  You'll want to be sure you look up all applicable laws to ensure that you are within the law and to increase your chances of success.

If both of those don't work...

Your next step would then be to request a hearing on your behalf. It will take a few weeks to get a hearing set up. At the hearing (you can have a lawyer represent you or you can do it yourself) you prove that you're a resident, showing, for example, your bank account, the fact that you have a job, your voting registration, etc. Then present documentation on why you lost your license. The hearing office will request information from the state with the hold, but seldom gets much.

The hearing itself is not lengthy. The whole process usually only takes about a month . . . but it could longer depending on the state.

       If you're successful here, the hearing officer will lift your denial. You'll then have to apply for a Learner's Permit (which includes a written test), go to a commercial driving school, and take the school's test. The driving school will provide you with the car and get you tested within a couple of days.   

This is just one way to legally get some relief from the stress and strain of the DUI Process.