What You Need to Do to Reinstate a Suspended License in New Hampshire
To reinstate a suspended New Hampshire driver's license, you must first resolve the reason for the suspension, then submit a reinstatement request to the New Hampshire Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with the required fee. The DMV will not restore your license until the underlying issue—whether it's unpaid fines, a failed medical exam, or an administrative violation—has been cleared. The process typically takes two to four weeks after the DMV receives your complete request.
New Hampshire suspensions fall into several categories, and each has a different path to reinstatement. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines requires payment to the court that issued the ticket. A medical suspension requires a new medical evaluation and a doctor's signed statement. A suspension for failure to appear in court requires you to resolve that court case first. Knowing which type of suspension you have is your first step.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the New Hampshire DMV or check your suspension notice to find out the exact reason your license was suspended.
- Resolve the underlying issue—pay fines to the court, complete a medical exam, appear in court, or satisfy whatever condition caused the suspension.
- Submit a reinstatement request to the DMV by mail or in person, along with the $100 reinstatement fee and proof that the issue has been resolved.
- The DMV will verify that the suspension reason has been cleared before issuing a new license or reinstating your current one.
Find Out Why Your License Was Suspended
Your suspension notice should state the reason, but if you no longer have it, contact the New Hampshire DMV directly. Call the Driver Services Bureau at 603-271-2525 or visit the DMV office in Concord. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The DMV staff will tell you the specific reason and what you must do to clear it.
Common suspension reasons in New Hampshire include: unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear for a court date, medical suspension due to a health condition or failed medical exam, failure to pay child support, and administrative violations such as accumulating too many points on your record. Each reason has different reinstatement steps, so getting the exact reason is essential before you proceed.
Resolve the Underlying Reason for Suspension
For unpaid fines or court costs: Contact the court that issued the ticket or fine. The court clerk will tell you the exact amount owed and where to send payment. Pay by check, money order, or in person at the court. Once the court receives payment, they will notify the DMV electronically, usually within one to three business days. Do not assume the DMV knows you paid—verify with the court that they have sent the clearance to the DMV.
For failure to appear in court: Contact the court listed on your suspension notice when ready. You will likely need to appear before a judge to explain the missed appearance. The judge may impose additional fines or conditions. Once the court case is resolved, the court will send a clearance to the DMV. This process can take several weeks depending on court schedules.
For medical suspension: Schedule an appointment with a New Hampshire-licensed physician or specialist (depending on the reason for the suspension). The doctor must complete the New Hampshire DMV Medical Evaluation Form, which you can read from the DMV website or request by mail. The form asks about your medical condition, medications, and ability to drive safely. Your doctor will sign and date the form and may mail it directly to the DMV or give it to you to submit. Medical suspensions often require a road test after the form is submitted.
For child support arrears: Contact the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Support Services, at 603-271-4426. You will need to either pay the full amount owed or set up a payment plan. Once you are current or have an approved payment plan in place, the agency will notify the DMV.
Submit Your Reinstatement Request to the DMV
Once the underlying issue is resolved, submit a reinstatement request to the New Hampshire DMV. You can do this by mail or in person at the DMV office in Concord (23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305). Include the following: a completed Driver License Reinstatement process (Form DSMV 10), the $100 reinstatement fee (check or money order made payable to "State of New Hampshire"), and proof that the suspension reason has been cleared.
Proof of clearance depends on the reason for suspension. For unpaid fines, bring a receipt from the court or a letter from the court stating the debt is paid. For a medical suspension, include the signed medical evaluation form. For failure to appear, bring a letter from the court confirming the case has been resolved. For child support, bring a letter from the Division of Child Support Services confirming you are current or have an approved payment plan.
If you submit by mail, send everything to the DMV at the Concord address. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want the DMV to mail your new license to you. If you submit in person, bring your current license (if you still have it) and a valid form of identification. The DMV will process your request and issue a new license on the spot if everything is in order, or notify you by mail if additional information is needed.
What Happens After You Submit Your Request
The DMV will verify that the suspension reason has been cleared by checking with the court, medical provider, or other relevant agency. This verification step typically takes one to two weeks. If the DMV finds that the issue has been resolved, they will reinstate your license. If you submitted your request by mail and requested a mailed license, it will arrive within one to two weeks after reinstatement. If you submitted in person, you may receive your license when ready.
If the DMV cannot verify that the suspension reason has been cleared, they will send you a letter explaining what additional information or action is needed. Do not drive until your license has been officially reinstated. Driving on a suspended license is illegal in New Hampshire and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and a longer suspension.
Common Mistakes That Delay Reinstatement
The most common mistake is assuming the court or agency has notified the DMV after you resolve the underlying issue. Courts and agencies do send clearances to the DMV, but the process is not instantaneous. Before submitting your reinstatement request, contact the court or agency directly and ask them to confirm that they have sent the clearance to the DMV. Get a reference number or confirmation letter if possible.
Another frequent error is submitting an incomplete reinstatement request. Missing documents or an incorrect fee amount will delay processing. Double-check that you have included the completed process form, the correct fee, and all required proof of clearance. If you are unsure whether your documents are complete, call the DMV at 603-271-2525 before mailing your request.
Some people also wait too long to resolve the suspension reason. The longer a suspension remains unresolved, the more complicated it can become—additional fines may accrue, court dates may be set, or the suspension may be extended. Address the underlying issue as soon as you receive notice of suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the DMV officially reinstates it. Driving on a suspended license is illegal and can result in criminal charges, additional fines, and a longer suspension. Wait until you receive written confirmation from the DMV that your license has been reinstated.
What if I cannot pay my court fines all at once?
Contact the court and ask about a payment plan. Many New Hampshire courts will set up a payment arrangement if you cannot pay the full amount when ready. Once the court approves the plan, ask them to notify the DMV. You may be able to reinstate your license while you are paying the plan, depending on the court's policy.
Do I need to take a written test or road test to reinstate my license?
Not for most suspensions. If your suspension was for medical reasons, you may be required to pass a road test after submitting your medical evaluation form. The DMV will notify you if a road test is required. For other suspension reasons, no test is needed—reinstatement is administrative once the underlying issue is resolved.
How long does reinstatement take if I submit my request in person?
If you submit your request in person at the DMV office in Concord with all required documents and the correct fee, the DMV may process it when ready and issue your license on the same day. However, the DMV must still verify that the suspension reason has been cleared, which can take one to two weeks. You will receive a temporary license or written confirmation that your reinstatement is pending.
What if the DMV says the suspension reason has not been cleared?
The DMV will send you a letter explaining what is still needed. Contact the court, medical provider, or agency involved and ask why the clearance has not been sent to the DMV. There may be a delay in their system, or an additional step you need to complete. Once you resolve the issue, resubmit your reinstatement request or ask the DMV to check again.