In general, drivers are well-aware of the fact that if they are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in their home state, they will face a series of consequences, such as a driver's license suspension, fines, jail, DUI school, AA classes, and a MADD victim impact panel.

However, many people do not know the effects of a DUI if they are arrested out of state, for example, if they are arrested while driving across country, or while visiting another state for business or pleasure. If you are arrested for DUI in another state, how will it affect your driver's license in your home state? Read on as we explain the consequences of an out of state DUI.

What is the Driver License Impact?

You're probably wondering if your home state would find out about an out of state DUI and that is a very good question. Unfortunately, your home state probably would find out about your out of state DUI because of the Driver License Compact.

The Driver License Compact is a compact made between the majority of U.S. states. These states have agreed to exchange information with each other concerning non-residents driver's license suspensions and traffic violations. The concept of the Compact is "One Driver, One License, One Record."

What member states do is forward violation information of non-residents to their home states, including information about DUIs. If you would like to see if your own state is a member, click here.

For example, if you are a resident of California and you're arrested for DUI while driving in Massachusetts, you can count on the fact that Massachusetts will notify the California Department of Motor Vehicles about the DUI.

So, what would the penalties be in California? California would treat the DUI offense as if it was committed in California, and therefore it would apply California's DUI penalties to the Massachusetts DUI offense.

Do you need a DUI attorney for an out of state DUI/DWI? Scroll through our directory to find a DUI lawyer to defend you!