Non-Resident Violator Compact
The Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) is an interstate agreement among participating U.S. states that standardizes the handling of traffic citations issued to non-resident drivers for minor moving violations, ensuring such motorists receive equivalent treatment to residents, including release on their own recognizance without immediate payment or court appearance.[1][2] Under the compact, a party state notifies the licensing authority in the violator's home state of any failure to comply with the citation—such as paying fines or appearing in court—which may result in suspension of the driver's license or privileges until resolution, thereby promoting accountability and deterrence without routine border detentions.[2][3] This mechanism applies specifically to non-criminal violations and excludes certain serious offenses, with procedures emphasizing due process and efficient reporting.[1] Originating from a 1965 draft and formalized through collaborative efforts involving the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and others, the NRVC was published in suggested state legislation in 1978 to address evasion of out-of-state penalties and enhance highway safety across jurisdictions.[3][1] Adopted by 44 states and the District of Columbia as of recent records, it excludes Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin, with Virginia having withdrawn in 2019.[4][5]Establishment and Purpose
Historical Origins
In the mid-20th century, rising interstate mobility exacerbated challenges for states in enforcing traffic citations against non-resident drivers, who frequently disregarded summonses from out-of-state authorities due to jurisdictional limitations.[6] This prompted early informal reciprocity efforts, with the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws drafting an initial nonresident violator compact in 1965 to promote consistent treatment of violations across borders.[6] Pioneering agreements followed, as Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey became the first jurisdictions in 1965 to mutually enforce penalties imposed by peers, establishing bilateral models for reciprocal notification and compliance.[7] These limited pacts revealed shortcomings in scalability, particularly for non-contiguous states, leading to regional initiatives such as the Mid-Atlantic Governors' Conference task force in 1972 aimed at broadening reciprocity.[6] Building on the 1965 framework, entities like Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia adapted bilateral traffic summons agreements to extend enforcement, underscoring the demand for a unified interstate mechanism to deter evasion of minor violations.[6] The push for standardization gained momentum through advocacy by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), which collaborated with the Council of State Governments on a comprehensive project to formalize reciprocal procedures. This effort resulted in the Non-Resident Violator Compact of 1977, which superseded ad hoc arrangements by establishing a structured framework for reporting and addressing out-of-state citations among participating jurisdictions.[1][2]Core Objectives and Legal Basis
The Non-Resident Violator Compact of 1977 seeks to ensure that nonresident motorists cited for minor moving violations, such as speeding or failure to yield, in a participating jurisdiction receive equivalent treatment to residents, including the opportunity to resolve citations without immediate arrest or bond upon personal recognizance, while preventing evasion of penalties through departure from the state.[8][1] Its foundational objectives include promoting compliance with traffic laws across state lines, minimizing disruptions to interstate travel for cited drivers, maximizing efficiency in law enforcement and court operations by reducing on-site processing demands, and providing due process protections to nonresidents.[8] These aims address the pre-compact practice where nonresidents could ignore citations with impunity due to jurisdictional limits, thereby undermining deterrence and enforcement equity.[9] Central provisions mandate that issuing states report instances of non-compliance—defined as failure to pay fines, appear in court, or otherwise satisfy citation terms—to the home state's licensing authority within six months, using standardized procedures outlined in the Compact Manual.[8] Upon such notification, the home state must suspend or revoke the driver's license until compliance is verified, with reinstatement contingent on proof of resolution and applicable fees.[8] Article III specifies the content and timing of these reports, while Article IV governs the home state's enforcement response, ensuring reciprocity without extradition for minor offenses.[9] Legally, the compact operates as a voluntary interstate agreement under Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution, requiring ratification by state legislatures to bind participating jurisdictions, with effectiveness triggered upon adoption by at least two states and allowing 90-day withdrawal notices.[8] Distinct from federal mandates, it derives authority from state sovereignty in traffic regulation, supplemented by implicit congressional consent through the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1958, but imposes no uniform national standards beyond reciprocal reporting.[1] Administration falls to a Board of Compact Administrators, one per member jurisdiction, responsible for rule-making and dispute resolution to maintain uniformity.[8]Membership and Scope
Participating Jurisdictions
The Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) currently includes 44 participating jurisdictions: 43 states and the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin.[10] Virginia withdrew from the compact effective January 1, 2020, after repeal by state legislation in 2019.[11] Most jurisdictions adopted the NRVC between 1978 and the early 1990s, facilitating interstate cooperation on minor traffic violation enforcement.[10]| Jurisdiction | Effective Date |
|---|---|
| Alabama | October 1981 |
| Arizona | January 1993 |
| Arkansas | January 1986 |
| Colorado | January 1982 |
| Connecticut | January 1981 |
| Delaware | February 1979 |
| District of Columbia | August 1980 |
| Florida | October 1981 |
| Georgia | February 1980 |
| Hawaii | January 1996 |
| Idaho | October 1992 |
| Illinois | July 1984 |
| Indiana | January 1980 |
| Iowa | November 1980 |
| Kansas | January 1983 |
| Kentucky | December 1978 |
| Louisiana | November 1979 |
| Maine | January 1982 |
| Maryland | July 1979 |
| Massachusetts | December 1987 |
| Minnesota | October 1980 |
| Mississippi | March 1979 |
| Missouri | October 1980 |
| Nebraska | January 1982 |
| Nevada | February 1990 |
| New Hampshire | January 1982 |
| New Jersey | July 1983 |
| New Mexico | January 1985 |
| New York | June 1982 |
| North Carolina | September 1980 |
| North Dakota | July 1980 |
| Ohio | January 1985 |
| Oklahoma | July 1987 |
| Pennsylvania | July 1979 |
| Rhode Island | April 1986 |
| South Carolina | January 1981 |
| South Dakota | May 1980 |
| Tennessee | September 1984 |
| Texas | January 1982 |
| Utah | July 1985 |
| Vermont | October 1985 |
| Washington | October 1993 |
| West Virginia | July 1978 |
| Wyoming | July 1987 |