If you have a Washington, D.C. driver’s license, and you’re charged with Virginia reckless driving, watch out!
You may already know that it’s not just a ticket. You’re actually charged with a misdemeanor on the same level as Virginia DUI.
But did you know that a reckless conviction could cause your DC license to be revoked?
Let me stop there and point out that I’m only licensed to practice law in Virginia. The information that I’m about to share is what I’ve gathered from talking to potential clients and researching the matter on the DC DMV’s website.
Scarily, what happens to some people is that they think their reckless driving charge is a hefty speeding ticket. They plead guilty and pay it. Or they wait for the court to convict them and mail a bill.
Then they’re surprised to get a notice from the DC DMV saying that their license is revoked.
What?!
Yep. Under current DC DMV rules, points are assessed for out of state convictions. According to the points table, reckless driving is 12 points, which is supposed to trigger a license revocation.
Crazy, but apparently true from what I can find.
As I write this, the DC Council is taking action to change this situation. They’re considering emergency legislation to provide relief to drivers who are currently revoked and to help change the point assessment for the future.
Also, it looks D.C.’s Attorney General has advised the DMV Director to exercise more discretion in revoking people who were simply convicted of reckless driving by speed in Virginia.
What’s the moral of the story here? No matter what state you’re licensed in, reckless driving is serious. It’s not just a speeding ticket, and paying it without consulting a lawyer could have significant consequences.
Photo by Ed Siasoco (aka SC Fiasco)