Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers | November 20, 2025 | Personal Injury
If your driver’s license is on hold in North Carolina, you generally cannot get a valid license in another state until the suspension has been lifted. Most states participate in what’s called the Driver License Compact (DLC), which allows them to share driver information and enforcement records.
This means if your North Carolina license is suspended, that suspension will likely follow you to any other state you move to. The DLC is based on the principle of “one driver, one license, one record.”
So, even if you apply for a new license elsewhere, the new state will see the suspension through a national database and will likely deny your application until you’ve resolved the issue in North Carolina.
The Driver’s License Compact and How It Works
The Driver License Compact is an agreement among 46 states, including North Carolina, to share information about driver violations, suspensions, and revocations. When a driver’s license is suspended in one member state, the others are notified and typically take similar action.
If your license has been suspended for any of the following reasons in North Carolina, you can expect that information to appear in national records:
- Driving while impaired (DWI)
- Refusing a breath or chemical test
- Reckless driving
- Excessive speeding
- Accumulating too many driver’s license points
- Failing to pay traffic fines and/or appear in court
When you try to apply for a license in another state, that state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will check the National Driver Register (NDR) before approving the application. If they find your name listed with a suspension from North Carolina, your application will likely be denied.
How To Reinstate Your North Carolina License
Before you can obtain a valid license elsewhere, you’ll need to reinstate your North Carolina driving privileges. The process varies depending on the reason for suspension, but typically involves:
- Paying all outstanding fines and court costs
- Serving any required suspension period
- Completing any required programs, if applicable
- Paying a reinstatement fee to the North Carolina DMV
- Providing proof of insurance (Form SR-22 in some cases)
Once your license is reinstated, you can usually apply for a new license in another state without issue. However, it’s best to request written confirmation from the North Carolina DMV that your driving privileges have been restored before proceeding.
Limited Driving Privileges in North Carolina
In some cases, you may qualify for limited driving privileges while your North Carolina license is suspended. These privileges allow you to drive for specific purposes, such as commuting to work, school, and medical appointments.
To qualify, you must meet certain requirements, including:
- Having a valid reason for requesting limited privileges
- Completing any court-ordered requirements (such as a substance abuse assessment)
- Demonstrating proof of insurance
These privileges are not automatically granted, and you must petition the court to request them. If approved, your limited driving privilege will specify the times and purposes for which you are allowed to drive.
Contact a North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney if You Need Help
If your driver’s license is suspended in North Carolina, applying for one in another state won’t make the problem disappear. One of the best steps you can take is to understand your options for reinstatement and take care of any outstanding issues with the DMV before you move forward.
From there, if you need further help with a situation like this or have been involved in a car accident, getting legal advice may be necessary. Call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today to get started.
For more information, contact Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in North Carolina today. We have twelve convenient locations in North Carolina, including Greenville, Raleigh, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Kinston, Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Winston-Salem & Garner.
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Raleigh Office
4600 Marriott Dr STE 500, Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 876-3020
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Durham Office
100 E Parrish St STE 200, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 728-1770
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Goldsboro Office
601 N Spence Ave, Goldsboro, NC 27534
(919) 778-9700
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Charlotte Office
1914 J N Pease Pl Suite 142, Charlotte, NC 28262
(704) 486-5824
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Greenville Office
300 E Arlington Blvd Suite 2A #110, Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 397-8620
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Fayetteville Office
2517 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28305
(910) 387-9186
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Greensboro Office
7B Corporate Center Ct Suite 15, Greensboro, NC 27408
(336) 516-9066
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville Office
3391 Henderson Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 455-5599
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Garner Office
500 Benson Rd Suite 111, Garner, NC 27529
(800) 525-7111
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Kinston Office
807 N Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 397-8624
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Wilmington Office
1608 Queen St Suite 12, Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 889-4064
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Winston-Salem Office
102 W 3rd St, Ste 1007, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 516-9042