Can You Be Arrested For A DMV Warrant Check? (2025)

Does the DMV Check for Warrants When Issuing an ID or License?

Because the DMV is a government organization, it’s responsible for upholding the law, and that includes identifying customers who have active warrants. Each individual DMV has its own procedures for addressing the situation if someone comes in with an active warrant. However, they don’t necessarily make these procedures public.

If a DMV employee runs your information and sees that you have a warrant, they will usually react in one of three ways:

• Ask an on-site law enforcement officer to approach you
• Call the local police
• Put a warrant block or DMV hold on your license

A warrant block or DMV hold means the DMV flags your driving record and will deny you services until you contact the police and address the warrant.

Can You Go to the DMV if You Have a Warrant?

You can. You aren’t banned from entering the DMV if you have a warrant. However, if a worker needs to run your information for any reason, they will not issue an ID or driver’s license until you have cleared up the warrant. There’s also a chance you could be arrested.

While it’s possible to be arrested at the DMV if you have a warrant, you’re far more likely to be arrested at a traffic stop. Police also often check licenses after car accidents and may arrest anyone with a warrant.

Can You Get a License or ID With an Outstanding Warrant?

If you go to the DMV to renew your license, reinstate it after a DUI or other suspension, or get a state ID, an employee will very likely check your information to see if you have an active warrant. They won’t issue a license or ID if you have one.

However, there’s a slim chance that an employee will not check for warrants or that a clerical error or system issue prevents your warrant information from showing up.

How to Get Identification if You Have a Warrant

Unfortunately, if you need identification, there’s no way to get it without addressing the warrant first. Dealing with a warrant doesn’t always mean you’ll have to go to jail. Once you turn yourself in, you often must do one or more of the following:

• Appear in court
• Talk to a probation officer or judge
• Pay outstanding fines or court costs

If you have a warrant, it’s best to deal with it as soon as possible. There’s no statute of limitations on warrants, so you can’t just wait for it to go away. Your options are to either turn yourself in or wait for the police to eventually arrest you.

What to Do if You're Worried About Arrest at the DMV

If you’re worried about being arrested at the DMV, the best thing to do is to determine whether you have a warrant beforehand. If you have a warrant, take steps to resolve it before visiting the DMV.

Consequences of Ignoring a Warrant

If you ignore a warrant, you are putting yourself at risk of arrest. A warrant grants law enforcement the right to arrest you at any point, anywhere. The most routine traffic stop could lead to that.

The reason for the warrant will determine what other consequences you face. If it’s for a violent crime, like vehicular assault, then you can face additional jail time for evading the legal process. You may also be charged with contempt of court if you fail to appear at hearings and don’t comply with the law.

Putting up a strong defense for the charges that led to the warrant can also become more difficult. The court can see ignoring a warrant as a sign that you are not interested in respecting the law, which could earn you more severe penalties.

State-by-State Differences in DMV Warrant Policies

No matter what state you’re in, police may arrest you if you have a warrant and are on public property (including at the DMV). While each state’s DMV is required to alert police if someone comes in with a warrant, it’s up to the police officers on duty to come and arrest you or not.

Can Warrants From Other States Affect Your DMV Visit?

Yes, a warrant from another state can affect you if you visit the DMV. That’s especially the case if it’s for a felony. There are numerous interstate systems that allow for the sharing of information. One of these is the National Driver Register, which can let a DMV anywhere in the country know that you have a warrant.

Resolve a Warrant Before Visiting the DMV

If you think you have a warrant, it’s usually less stressful to address it before going to the DMV. Talking to an attorney is usually the best way to do this. Your attorney can discuss your circumstances, and if you have a warrant for a criminal charge (and not just a traffic ticket), they may be able to defend you.

If you’re concerned about legal fees, look for an attorney who offers free consultations. If you have questions about a possible warrant, the attorney will likely be able to answer them at a free consultation.

Steps to Clear a Warrant Safely

Because warrants don’t expire, you need to find a way to resolve the problem. One of the first steps to take is to ensure you know exactly what the warrant is for. The type of warrant will dictate what your next steps should be.

Addressing a bench warrant that was issued for failure to appear in court needs to be handled differently from one issued because of a criminal charge. Always ensure that you have a lawyer by your side when you reach out to the court clerk of the issuing courthouse.

The clerk will let you know what the exact steps for that particular courthouse are and the kind of paperwork that you will need to provide when you turn up. For a bench warrant, make sure that you have evidence of why you failed to appear in court on the appointed day.

Many courts allow you to self-surrender and have an arraignment on the same day, while others will schedule you for a later date. Having a lawyer helping you through all of this can smooth the process and hopefully allow you to resolve the problem on the same day.

Do You Need an Attorney to Handle a DMV Warrant Issue?

That depends on the situation. If you go to the DMV and learn you have a traffic warrant for a few unpaid tickets, you might choose to resolve the warrant by paying.

However, if you have a warrant for criminal charges — especially for felony charges — it’s almost always best to consult an attorney first. These warrants are more challenging to handle because they can’t simply be cleared up with a payment or court appearance. You’ll need advice on turning yourself in as well as a strong criminal defense.

Do You Have an Outstanding Warrant?

If a DMV warrant check revealed you have an outstanding warrant and you weren’t immediately arrested, you might be unsure of what to do to resolve it. While it’s up to you whether you consult a lawyer, it’s wise to talk to an attorney before turning yourself in.

If you’re hoping to turn yourself in sooner rather than later, you might worry about finding a lawyer quickly. ConsumerShield connects people like you with pre-vetted auto lawyers, defense attorneys, personal injury lawyers, and other legal professionals nearby. Fill out our contact form below to start with a free case review.