Will California Department of Motor Vehicles Take Action If My License was Suspended in Another State for a DUI?

Yes, it is very likely that California will suspend your license.  Usually, if you are driving in a foreign state and you are convicted of driving under the influence the local court will forward an abstract indicting a conviction to the Department of Motor Vehicles of the state in which issued your license.  For example, you have a driver’s license issued by the state of California.  You then travel to Arizona for vacation or a business trip. You operate a motor vehicle while in the state of Arizona and you do so while under the influence of alcohol or a drug.  If you are arrested and convicted of driving under the influence then the court in Arizona will transmit an abstract to the California Department of Motor Vehicle and your license will be suspended.

Of course, the arrest alone of suspicion of DUI, even without a court conviction, can lead to a license suspension by the state of California – Department of Motor Vehicles. However if the DMV has any intention to suspend your license, they are required to give you notice by mail.  Once you receive notice, you have within 10 days to schedule an Administrative Per Se hearing to refute the suspension.  These hearings are often difficult to win as the burden required to suspend your license is very low.  It is important that you have an experienced DUI attorney to represent you at these hearings to fight the suspension.

If you arrested and charged with a DUI, contact one of our experienced DUI attorneys at Wallin and Klarich.  Wallin & Klarich will help protect your rights and find the best defense strategy for your case.  For over 40 years, our attorneys have been helping clients keep their driver’s license and maintain the ability to continue driving.  Please call us at (888) 749-0034. We will be there when you call.