Out of State Underage Drinking Citation

[JimfromIndy]

My daughter was cited in Vermont for underage drinking. She was not driving, she was not riding in a car, she was an invited guest inside a private residence 200 yards from where she was staying in Vermont when the incident occurred. She holds a Virginia drivers license.

The citation was referred to a "diversion" program, where she's been asked to attend an alcohol abuse-related class. They have said that if she does not complete the required diversion program, they will reinstate the citation, and it will cost her $300 plus "her drivers license will be suspended for 90 days".

She is working to fulfill the program requirements.

How can the state of Vermont compel the Commonwealth of Virginia to suspend her drivers' license at all, let alone for an infraction that was not in any way related to driving? What is the mechanism?

[olive]

Some states do provide that any underage drinking can affect the license. Just as failure to pay child support can cause you to lose your license.

[Tamar]

Laws get stricter where underage offenders are involved. You find this harsh, there are many states which suspend driving license of underage drivers right away for 3 months.

I suspect her ability to drive in Vermont will be suspended. they could not suspend her in West Virginia unless the two states are part of an interstate compact where they agree to share convictions with each other.