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Getting arrested for DWI while traveling or living temporarily in another state can be a confusing experience — especially for Louisiana residents who must return home and continue with their lives while dealing with an out-of-state offense. Many people assume that a DWI in another state only affects them locally, but in reality, it can have serious consequences in their home state as well.
Louisiana participates in national agreements that allow states to share information about driving violations, including DWI arrests and convictions. That means an out-of-state DWI can follow you home — affecting your Louisiana driver’s license, insurance, and even your ability to obtain a hardship license. The process may vary depending on the severity of the offense, whether a conviction occurs, and how each state handles inter-state violations.
This article explains what typically happens when a Louisiana resident is charged with DWI in another state, including how penalties are enforced, how license suspensions are applied, and how Louisiana responds to convictions that occur elsewhere.
How States Share DWI Information Across Borders
Louisiana is a member of the Driver License Compact (DLC), an agreement among most U.S. states to share information about traffic offenses. This means that when a Louisiana resident is arrested for or convicted of DWI in another participating state, the details are reported back to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV).
Key points about the DLC:
- All but a few U.S. states are members
- DWI convictions are considered serious traffic offenses under the compact
- Louisiana will treat an out-of-state DWI as if it occurred in Louisiana
- Administrative and criminal penalties may still apply in the home state
If a conviction occurs, Louisiana can impose penalties such as license suspension, SR-22 insurance requirements, or interlock device mandates, based on its own laws — even if the offense occurred elsewhere.
How Louisiana Responds to an Out-of-State DWI Conviction
Once Louisiana receives notice of a DWI conviction from another state, it can initiate its own administrative actions. These actions are usually handled by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and do not require a new arrest or court case in Louisiana.
Administrative responses may include:
- License suspension based on Louisiana’s own DWI laws
- Mandatory SR-22 insurance filing for a set period
- Eligibility restrictions for hardship licenses
- Ignition interlock device requirements if reinstating a suspended license
- Points on your driving record, if applicable
The duration of the suspension and the specific reinstatement requirements will be based on Louisiana law, not the law of the state where the DWI occurred. For example, if the other state suspends a license for 6 months, but Louisiana requires a 1-year suspension for the same offense, Louisiana can enforce the longer suspension for your Louisiana-issued license.
Criminal Penalties Remain in the State Where the Arrest Occurred
While Louisiana handles the administrative side of the process, criminal penalties for the DWI are imposed and carried out in the state where the arrest took place. This includes:
- Jail time
- Fines and court fees
- Probation or community service
- Court-ordered education or treatment programs
- Court appearances or mandatory return for hearings
Louisiana residents must comply with all legal requirements set by the out-of-state court, even if they no longer remain in that state. Failing to comply could result in a warrant for arrest, additional fines, or other legal consequences that could also affect your standing in Louisiana.
Although Louisiana does not enforce the out-of-state court’s ruling directly, failure to meet those obligations can impact your license status and future DWI penalties at home.
How a Conviction Affects Your Louisiana Driving Record
If you’re convicted of DWI in another state, Louisiana treats it as though it occurred within its borders. That means it will appear on your Louisiana driving record and count as a prior offense if you are arrested again in the future.
This has serious implications:
- A future DWI arrest in Louisiana may be considered a second or third offense, even if the first happened elsewhere
- Penalties such as mandatory jail time and felony classification may apply more quickly
- The out-of-state DWI becomes part of the 10-year lookback period used to determine penalty levels in Louisiana
For insurance purposes, the out-of-state conviction may also trigger rate increases, policy cancellations, or extended SR-22 requirements even if the offense was handled in another jurisdiction.
What About License Suspension and Reinstatement?
Louisiana has the authority to suspend your license based on an out-of-state DWI conviction, even if the other state does not suspend it. This is often handled after Louisiana receives notice through the Driver License Compact.
Reinstating your Louisiana license after an out-of-state DWI may involve:
- Paying a reinstatement fee to the OMV
- Submitting proof of SR-22 insurance
- Installing an ignition interlock device, depending on the case
- Completing a substance abuse evaluation or education program
- Serving the full length of Louisiana’s suspension period
In some cases, you may also need to obtain a hardship license to drive legally in Louisiana while suspended, even though the original incident occurred elsewhere. These hardship licenses are subject to Louisiana’s own rules and restrictions.
Special Issues for Military, Students, and Frequent Travelers
People who live in Louisiana but spend significant time in other states — such as college students, military personnel, or frequent business travelers — are especially vulnerable to confusion around out-of-state DWI charges. In these cases:
- The DWI laws of the state where the arrest occurred take precedence for criminal charges
- Louisiana will enforce administrative penalties as if the offense occurred locally
- Court appearances may require travel back to the arresting state, depending on local requirements
- Convictions will still affect Louisiana driving privileges
While it may be tempting to handle the out-of-state charge “remotely,” many states do not allow this. Legal obligations must be satisfied in person or through a designated legal representative in the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred.
How Out-of-State DWI Affects Future Penalties in Louisiana
Because Louisiana treats out-of-state DWI convictions the same as in-state offenses, future DWI arrests in Louisiana are subject to escalating penalties:
| Offense Type | Prior DWI in Another State? | Penalty in Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| First DWI in LA | No prior DWI | Misdemeanor, minimal penalties |
| First DWI in LA | Prior DWI out of state | Counted as second offense in LA |
| Second DWI in LA | One prior DWI in another state | Counted as third offense, a felony |
This means that one out-of-state conviction may push a future Louisiana offense into felony territory — with mandatory prison time, long-term license loss, and other serious consequences.
FAQ: Out-of-State DWI Charges for Louisiana Residents
Will Louisiana suspend my license for a DWI in another state?
Yes. Louisiana may suspend your license based on the other state’s report, using Louisiana’s own penalty standards.
Can I get a hardship license in Louisiana if the DWI was elsewhere?
Possibly. Louisiana applies its own hardship license rules, regardless of where the offense occurred.
Do I have to go back to the other state for court?
Yes. Criminal penalties are handled by the state where the DWI arrest took place.
Will the DWI count as a prior offense in Louisiana?
Yes. Out-of-state convictions are treated the same as in-state offenses for sentencing and lookback purposes.
Can I avoid license suspension if the other state doesn’t suspend it?
No. Louisiana can still impose its own suspension, even if the other state doesn’t.
How do I reinstate my Louisiana license after an out-of-state DWI?
You’ll need to follow Louisiana’s reinstatement process, including fees, SR-22, and possibly an interlock device.
Conclusion
Getting a DWI outside Louisiana doesn’t shield you from consequences at home. Due to information-sharing agreements between states, a DWI conviction in another jurisdiction can result in license suspension, insurance rate increases, and even felony classification for future offenses in Louisiana. While criminal penalties are handled by the arresting state, Louisiana enforces its own administrative consequences that can affect your driving status and legal standing for years to come.
To see how Louisiana compares to other states and why outcomes differ depending on location, visit the State-by-State DWI Laws page. For more on how laws differ and affect enforcement, check out Why DWI Penalties Vary by State.