Your Driver's License FAQ

Questions:

• Is my driver's license good in every state?
• If I get a ticket in another state, will it affect my driver's license?
• Can I use my driver's license in a foreign country?
• When can my driver's license be suspended or revoked?
• What will happen if I'm caught driving with a suspended or revoked license?
• My elderly friend is becoming unsafe at the wheel. Will her license be taken away?

Answer:

When can my driver's license be suspended or revoked?

Driving a car is considered a privilege -- and a state won't hesitate to take it away if a driver behaves irresponsibly on the road. A state may temporarily suspend your driving privileges for a number of reasons, including:

• driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• refusing to take a blood-alcohol test
• driving without liability insurance
• speeding
• reckless driving
• leaving the scene of an injury accident
• failing to pay a driving-related fine
• failing to answer a traffic summons, or
• failing to file an accident report.

In addition, many states use a "point" system to keep track of a driver's moving violations: Each moving violation is assigned a certain number of points. If a driver accumulates too many points within a given period of time, the department of motor vehicles suspends her license.

If you have too many serious problems as a driver, your state may take away (revoke) your license altogether. If this happens, you'll have to wait a certain period of time before you can apply for another license. Your state may deny your application if you have a poor driving record or fail to pass any required tests. For more information, see Nolo's article Traffic Fines, License Suspensions, and Traffic School.

Finally, a few states revoke or refuse to renew drivers' licenses of parents who owe back child support.