If you’re a Pennsylvania-licensed driver facing a DWI charge in New Jersey, you may be wondering what happens to your Pennsylvania license. The answer isn’t always straightforward—but it’s crucial to understand how the two states interact when it comes to DUI-related offenses.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania are both members of the Driver License Compact (DLC), which allows states to share information about serious traffic offenses, including DWI convictions. However, not all consequences transfer equally between states.
Let’s break down how a New Jersey DWI conviction affects your Pennsylvania driving privileges—and what you can do about it.
If you previously completed ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) in Pennsylvania for a DUI, New Jersey will not count it as a prior conviction. That means if you’re charged with DWI for the first time in New Jersey—even if you had a prior DUI handled through ARD in PA—it will be treated as a first offense, not a second.
Why this matters: First-time DWI penalties in NJ are significantly lighter than second or third offenses. Not being classified as a repeat offender can help reduce your exposure to jail time, license suspension, and mandatory ignition interlock periods.
If you are convicted of a first offense DWI in New Jersey, Pennsylvania will not suspend your driver’s license. While New Jersey may suspend your privilege to drive within the state, your PA license remains valid.
That said, the conviction will likely be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and may still result in insurance increases or scrutiny on future offenses.
The consequences get more serious for repeat offenses. A second DWI conviction in New Jersey will result in a one-year driver’s license suspension in Pennsylvania, even though the offense occurred outside your home state.
This suspension is administrative, meaning PennDOT enforces it based on the New Jersey conviction under the Driver License Compact. You could lose your ability to drive in both states—even if the second offense was handled entirely in New Jersey.
Even if your license is issued by Pennsylvania, a DWI charge in New Jersey can lead to:
At Beninato & Matrafajlo, we’ve helped countless out-of-state drivers from Pennsylvania and beyond fight DWI charges in New Jersey courts. We understand the complexities of multi-state consequences and how to protect your license, record, and reputation.
If you’re a Pennsylvania driver facing a New Jersey DWI, call us today at 908-355-7100 or contact us online for a free consultation. Let our experienced legal team fight for your rights—on both sides of the state line.