If you have a DUI conviction from another state, you may be wondering whether it will impact your ability to get a DUI in California. At Woelfel Law Firm, we provide legal assistance to individuals in South Lake Tahoe facing DUI-related concerns and help them understand how out-of-state convictions can affect their driving privileges in California.



California is part of the Interstate Driver’s License Compact (IDLC), an agreement among most U.S. states to share driver violation records, including DUIs. This means that if you have a DUI from another state, California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will likely be notified and may treat the prior conviction as if it occurred in California.

A previous out-of-state DUI can lead to enhanced penalties if you are arrested for a DUI in California. California law treats a second DUI within 10 years as a repeat offense, which means you could face harsher consequences, including longer license suspension, increased fines, and mandatory DUI education programs. Additionally, if your out-of-state DUI resulted in a license suspension, you may need to resolve that issue before obtaining a California driver’s license.

Because DUI laws vary by state, California courts will examine whether the prior DUI offense meets California’s legal definition of a DUI. In some cases, a prior conviction from another state may not qualify under California law, which could prevent it from being counted as a repeat offense.

If you are concerned about how an out-of-state DUI will impact your driving record or a new DUI charge in California, it is essential to seek legal representation. At Woelfel Law Firm, we help individuals in South Lake Tahoe navigate complex DUI cases and defend their rights against enhanced penalties.