Out-of-state traffic violations are taken seriously in the state of Illinois. Whether you are anticipating a pre-employment screening for a new trucking career or do not want to risk your ability to be behind the wheel, there are consequences to having out-of-state traffic violations you should be aware of.
The US Driver License Compact
Illinois is a member of the Driver License Compact, an interstate compact it uses to exchange information about traffic violations and license suspensions of non-residents. This compact allows other states to forward a driver’s records to their home state, or the state that licenses the driver.
How Illinois Treats Out-of-State Traffic Violations
Illinois residents who have served even a minimum sentence on their tickets will have that sentence treated as a conviction by the Secretary of State. A license suspension occurs after they receive two more tickets.
An out-of-state license suspension is also likely to be reciprocated, making Illinois drivers able to lose their ability to drive in both states for traffic violations such as driving under the influence, driving without auto insurance, speeding, or fleeing the scene of an accident. Illinois does not assess fines or suspend licenses for out-of-state traffic violation points. Instead, any fines from the other state are paid to that state according to that state’s fine rate. Any out-of-state conviction can increase auto insurance rates.
Illinois truck drivers who plead guilty to or are convicted of three moving violations could have their licenses suspended. An out-of-state guilty plea ticket for a moving violation will count toward the total number in Illinois.
Illinois truck drivers with any traffic violations will encounter potential employers finding them in both their Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP). While the MVR has a vehicle record from the state, the PSP includes information from a federal database, and so would include criminal charges and convictions.
Challenging Out-of-State Traffic Violations in Illinois
Expungement may be an option to allow a driver to erase any criminal records that did not result in a conviction. Certain criminal records can be sealed from public access, although some employers can still access them.
Truck drivers and other residents of Illinois with out-of-state traffic violations are welcome to contest them with legal representation. It is important for drivers to take responsibility for how they drive.
