I had my driver's license suspended in Louisiana about a year ago for
two unpaid speeding tickets.  I have since moved to the Bay Area and
will soon be applying for a California driver's license.  My question:

A) Will California DMV be aware of the suspension if I don't disclose it.  

B) If I do disclose the suspension, what effect will the suspension
have on the new application?

Dear nouvelleorleans71-ga;

Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question. Let?s
first begin with some definitions:

DRIVER LICENSE COMPACT (DLC) - An agreement between states that
basically says you have only ONE drivers license record. Meaning, if
you violate the law in one state it goes on your record (and stays)
with whatever license you hold.

NON-RESIDENT VIOLATOR COMPACT (NRVC) ? An agreement between states to
that communicate with one another (i.e. pass along information) if you
get a ticket out of your home state.

DRIVER LICENSE COMPACT
http://www.dui.com/whatsnew/driverlicensecompact.html

So. . . California is a member of the DRIVER LICENSE COMPACT but not
the NON-RESIDENT VIOLATOR COMPACT. Louisiana on the other hand is a
member of both DLC and NVRC. What this means is that Louisiana will
report your suspension to California if you try to obtain a California
license. Like it or not, it?s really all about insurance my friend.

4 CAR INSURANCE QUOTES
http://www.4carinsurancequotes.com/reciprocity.htm

Furthermore, in addition to computer systems at the state level, each
state also has access to databases at the NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION
CENTER. Any convictions (such as those that often result n the
suspension of a driver?s license) will be found in this database. You
can rest assured that this will be researched by California prior to
issuing you a driver license.

I hope you find that my research exceeds your expectations. If you
have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating
and your final comments and I look forward to working with you again
in the near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher



INFORMATION SOURCES

Defined above


SEARCH STRATEGY


SEARCH ENGINE USED:

Google ://www.google.com


SEARCH TERMS USED:

DLC

NVRC

LICENSE

CALIFORNIA

LOUISIANA

SUSPENSION

POINTS

VIOLATION

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Request for Answer Clarification by nouvelleorleans71-ga on 17 Jun 2005 11:38 PDT

Thanks for your answer - what about part B of the question?  What will
the suspended license mean to the application?  Is it grounds for
denial?

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 17 Jun 2005 11:53 PDT

Your Louisiana suspension will likley prevent you from getting a
California license depending on the reason. The fundamental rules of
out-of-state suspensions is explain on the Melo Park PD web site.
Basicially, a suspension "anywhere" is a suspension in California, and
that is how the state of California sees it:

"International, Foreign and out of state drivers licenses must be
valid and current. Licenses that are expired or suspended in other
states are considered the same in California. If your privilege to
drive in California is currently suspended, you are considered to have
a suspended license, even if you later obtained a vaild drivers
license from another state or country."

MENLO PARK POLICE
http://www.menloparkpolice.com/licviol.html

Another interesting read would be California statute concerning
Driving When Privilege Suspended or Revoked:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd6c4.htm

Regards;
tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 17 Jun 2005 12:01 PDT

Here is another tidbit of interesting information:

"California and all other states participate in the ?problem driver
pointer system? (PDPS). When you apply for a driver?s license in
another state, the system alerts them to any action against your
driver?s license in other states. It is up to the state where you have
applied to issue you one of its licenses. They may not issue you a
license until the action is cleared."
RIVERSIDE SUPEPRIOR COURT
http://www.courts.co.riverside.ca.us/TRAFFIC.HTM

This same information is repeated on the Sacramento Superior Couort site here:
http://www.saccourt.com/traffic/FAQ/FAQ.asp

tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 17 Jun 2005 12:12 PDT

Whew! Scared the crap out of me for a minute there. Thanks for the tip!

tutuzdad-ga

Worst answer I've ever recieved.  Unfortunately, it was perfect,
accurate, and even faster than I drive.  Thanks Tutuzdad for your
well-researched and timely response.