Will surrendering my driver's license in PA revoke my WA drivers license?

Question

7 yrs ago I was caught with a fake ID in Pennsylvania. I plead guilty to 2 charges, paid the fines, and was told I'd lose my PA driving privileges for 6 months. I had a WA license and was told over the phone (wish I had it in writing) by the PA courts that it would not impact my WA license.

Now I'm moving to California and can't get a CA license b/c the PA thing is on my record. Turns out I had to submit a "voluntary suspension" form which I never received from PennDot. They're telling me that I need to complete a 90day suspension and pay $25 restoration for them to clear my record -- which should hopefully let me get a CA license.

My question is whether or not WA will receive this suspension notice from PA and suspend my WA license in the meantime? Or whether I can serve the suspension in PA and maintain my WA license? I've been given contact info to appeal the matter and get a PA state rep to help, but since it's just 90 days I feel it would be quicker to just ride it out.

NOTE: I only have a WA license. Have never had a PA one.

7 yrs ago I was caught with a fake ID in Pennsylvania. I plead guilty to 2 charges, paid the fines, and was told I'd lose my PA driving privileges for 6 months. Since I didn't have a PA license, I was told this wouldn't matter.


Now I'm moving to California and can't get a CA license b/c the PA thing is on my record. Turns out I had to submit a "voluntary suspension" form which I never received from PennDot. They're telling me that I need to complete a 90day suspension and pay $25 restoration for them to clear my record -- which should hopefully let me get a CA license.

My question is whether or not WA will receive this suspension notice from PA and suspend my WA license in the meantime? Or whether I can serve the suspension in PA and maintain my WA driving privileges? I've been given contact info to appeal the matter and get a PA state rep to help, but since it's just 90 days I feel it would be quicker to just ride it out.

Answer 1

This is a weird one. I think I understand your situation. You are a licensed driver in WA. You misused an ID card in PA, and as a result your driving privilege was suspended for 90 days. (Note, driving privilege is distinct from drivers' license. A person who does not have a drivers license can still have the driving privilege suspended.)

All states are members of an Interstate Compact which says that they will give effect to convictions in other states by applying the same consequences as would occur in the home state upon the conviction. But this is supposed to apply ONLY to convictions which are related to operation of a motor vehicle. I suspect that this is why you were told that PA's action would not affect your driving privilege in WA--it should not have affected it anywhere but PA.

Additionally, California does not have any law which affects your drivers' license for misuse of an ID card.

If somebody in CA told you that you cannot get a CA license, my best guess is that somebody in the California DMV has misconstrued what happened in PA, and thinks that the suspension there was based upon a motor vehicle offense.
Your problem is that once you estabish residency in California, you have to apply for a CA drivers' license within 10 days. So even if WA does not suspend your driving privilege, you are still in trouble in CA.

I think you need to clear up whatever is going on in PA as soon as you can, but you should also try to verify WHY you are unable to get a CA license. I think there is a mistake somewhere.

Answer 2

There is now a National Driver's License Registry ... and if you mention that you have licenses in two states (as another poster mentioned), you are likely to get in even more trouble.

Welcome to the Information Age.

Answer 3

You are only supposed to have a drivers license in the state that you reside. Here in TX they physically took my Cali license away before I could get a TX one.

Answer 4

You can't possess 2 licenses from other states, and they all have reciprocal agreements! You can't get a DUI in NH and move to Florida anymore to get a license, even if you are a senior Captain from US Airways, anymore!

Answer 5

NO NO NO