Out-of-State Drivers

Under New York law, the penalties for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and drug-related driving offenses may be severe. For drivers who live out-of-state, fighting against a New York DWI charge can be particularly burdensome. Fortunately, out-of-state drivers can seek assistance from a Westchester County DWI lawyer after an arrest for drunk or drugged driving in the New York City area. At Tilem & Associates, our dedicated legal team is able to defend DWI cases for out-of-state drivers in New York just as passionately as we defend residents of New York. If you are an out-of-state resident, we can work to accommodate your needs and make the process as unobtrusive as possible. If you are a New York resident facing DWI charges in another state, we can advise you of the potential consequences that an out-of-state DWI conviction may have on your New York record.

New York and every other state within the U.S. have enacted laws prohibiting drunk driving. In general, it is a crime in all 50 states to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. In addition, each state has its own set of alcohol and drug-related driving offenses, which may or may not correspond with New York law. You do not need to have a New York driver license to drive in New York if you have a valid license in another state. Individuals driving on New York roads, however, are obligated to follow to the New York Vehicle and Traffic laws, even if they do not live in New York or have a New York driver license.

Out-of-state residents and New York residents alike are subject to the same penalties for committing New York drug and alcohol-related driving offenses. In a New York DWI case, for example, a first-time conviction carries penalties that may include a fine, jail time, and a license revocation period for six months or longer. Despite not having a New York driver license, out-of-state drivers, such as New Jersey and Connecticut residents commuting by car to work in New York, may lose their privilege to drive in New York if convicted of a New York DWI.

Out-of-state drivers will likely face additional consequences in their home state for a New York DWI or drugged-driving conviction. Under the Interstate Driver’s License Compact (IDLC), New York and other member states have agreed to treat a DWI conviction in a member state as if it had occurred in the driver’s home state. If an out-of-state driver is convicted of a DWI offense in New York, it will be reported to the driver’s home licensing jurisdiction. The driver’s home state may then revoke or suspend their driver license as a result of a New York DWI conviction. A skilled DWI attorney can help you defend against the charges you are facing in an effort to avoid these penalties.

A New York resident who is convicted of a drug or alcohol-related driving offense in another state may also be subject to action against their New York driver license. For an out-of-state DWI conviction, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles may revoke your license for a minimum of 90 days. For New York drivers under 21 years old, an out-of-state DWI may result in a license revocation period of at least one year. The revocation period may be longer if the driver has prior alcohol or drug violations.

Defending against a New York DWI charge may help to avoid unnecessary penalties. At Tilem & Associates, our Westchester County attorneys can assist in-state and out-of-state drivers against New York drunk driving charges. We can represent individuals facing felony or misdemeanor charges in New York City and the surrounding areas, including locations in Bronx, Queens, Kings, Richmond, Rockland, Nassau, Suffolk, and Putnam Counties. Request a free consultation with an attorney to discuss a DWI or traffic violation by calling Tilem & Associates at 877-377-8666 or contacting us online.