One of the most common questions our office answers is whether or not a person’s driving privileges can be suspended due to something that happened in another state. This article is intended to help those that have an out of state issue causing a suspension action in Texas. If you have a current suspension issue related to an out of state occurrence and would like to discuss that matter with our experienced legal team, feel free to contact our office today.
Out of State Issues Related To Driver License Suspensions In Texas
Here is one of the most common examples: A person is cited for driving while intoxicated in Florida. They then move to Texas from Florida. Can Texas suspend that person’s license due to the DWI in Florida? The short answer is yes. If the incident would have caused a suspension under Texas law, then Texas will apply that suspension to the person’s driving privileges here once they try to obtain their license. The authority to suspend a person’s driving privileges due to an out of state issue is located in the Texas Transportation Code Section 521.306. The specific language of the statute is listed below.
Sec. 521.306. EFFECT OF CONDUCT IN OTHER JURISDICTION; SUSPENSION UNDER DRIVER’S LICENSE COMPACT.
(a) The department may suspend or revoke the license of a resident or the operating privilege of a nonresident to operate a motor vehicle in this state on receipt of notice of a conviction of the individual in another state or a Canadian province of an offense that, if committed in this state, would be grounds for the suspension or revocation of a driver’s license.
(b) The department may give the same effect to the conduct of a resident of this state that occurs in another state or Canadian province that the department may give to conduct that occurs in this state under state law.
(c) The department may seek the suspension of the license of a person who has failed to comply with the terms of a citation to which Chapter 523 applies.
