The National Driver Register (NDR) is a national repository used to facilitate exchange of information on driving records. The purpose of the National Driver Registry is to allow all state registries of motor vehicles to ensure, at the time an individual applies for or renews a driver’s license, that an individual whose driver’s license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled in another state cannot obtain a license from a different state.
Federal law, 49 U.S.C. § 30304(e), requires each Registry or Department of Motor Vehicles to check the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) of the National Driver Register (NDR) prior to the issuance or renewal of a driver’s license. The main goal of this system is to allow driver licensing officials to exchange information regarding the driving records of driver’s license applicants and to keep dangerous drivers off the road.
When a motor vehicle department discovers that a driver’s license or right to drive is suspended or revoked in another state, it must deny the application for a renewal or new license and refer the driver to the state where the suspension or revocation originated. Contrary to popular belief, all 50 states use the NDR and PDPS and, under this system, the Massachusetts RMV will give full faith and credit to an out of state license suspension or revocation.
If your license has been suspended or revoked due to a National Driver Register (NDR) Block, I urge you to contact me for a free consultation and review of your situation. I have helped drivers all over the country get their licenses reinstated due to NDR blocks, suspensions, and denials. As a general rule, you cannot get any type of hardship or work license while a NDR suspension is in effect. However, this rule is not without exception and I have obtained Massachusetts hardship licenses for clients who have obtained hardship or restricted driving privileges, on a limited basis, in the state where the suspension originated.
The NDR matches on name and date of birth. This means that if someone else anywhere in the United States who has the same name and date of birth has their driving privileges suspended, revoked, or denied, you will have an NDR block on your Massachusetts license, which you must clear to avoid a suspension.