New Hampshire's Point System and License Suspension
New Hampshire suspends your license when you accumulate 12 points within a 12-month period. The state's point system assigns points to traffic violations based on severity — a speeding ticket might be 2 points, while reckless driving is 6 points. Once you hit 12 points, the state automatically suspends your license for a set period that depends on how many times you have been suspended before.
The 12-month window resets on the date of each violation, not on a calendar year. This means if you get a ticket on March 15, points from that violation stop counting toward suspension on March 15 of the following year. If you receive multiple violations, each one has its own 12-month window, so points can fall off at different times.
New Hampshire's point system is stricter than many neighboring states. Massachusetts, for example, suspends at 20 points; Vermont at 30. If you drive across state lines, you need to know that points from out-of-state violations also count toward your New Hampshire total, though the point value may differ from what that state assigned.
Key Takeaways
- Your license suspends automatically when you reach 12 points within any 12-month period, regardless of whether you pay the ticket or contest it.
- The 12-month window is based on the violation date, not the ticket date or conviction date, so points can fall off at different times for different tickets.
- A first suspension lasts 30 days; a second suspension within five years lasts 90 days; a third or later suspension lasts one year.
- Out-of-state violations count toward your New Hampshire total, and you must report them to the DMV or face additional penalties.
- You can request a hearing before the suspension takes effect, but you must do so within 30 days of receiving the notice.
Point Values for Common New Hampshire Violations
The number of points you receive depends on the specific violation. Speeding carries 2 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit you were traveling — 1 to 10 mph over is 2 points; 31 mph or more over is 6 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Failure to obey a traffic signal is 3 points.
Moving violations that cause an accident are worth more points than the same violation without an accident. For example, failure to yield without an accident is 2 points, but failure to yield that causes an accident is 4 points. Leaving the scene of an accident is 6 points.
Some violations do not carry points but still result in suspension or other penalties. Driving under the influence (DUI) does not add points to your record; instead, it triggers a separate administrative suspension handled by the state's Office of Highway Safety. Driving with an expired license does not add points either, though it can result in fines.
How Suspension Length Works After You Hit 12 Points
Your first suspension lasts 30 days from the date the DMV mails the suspension notice. You cannot drive at all during this period, even with a restricted license. The suspension begins whether or not you request a hearing.
A second suspension within five years of your first suspension lasts 90 days. A third suspension within five years of your second suspension lasts one year. If more than five years pass between suspensions, the clock resets and a new suspension is treated as a first suspension (30 days).
The five-year window is measured from the date your previous suspension ended, not from when it began. If your first suspension ended on April 1, 2023, and you accumulate 12 points again on March 15, 2028, that new suspension is treated as a first suspension because more than five years have passed. But if you accumulate 12 points on April 1, 2028, it is a second suspension because you are still within the five-year window.
What Happens When You Receive the Suspension Notice
The DMV mails a suspension notice to the address on your license. The notice includes the effective date of the suspension, the reason (point total), and instructions for requesting a hearing. You have 30 days from the mailing date to request a hearing before the suspension takes effect.
If you request a hearing, the suspension is delayed until after the hearing is held. The hearing officer will review your driving record and the violations that led to the 12-point total. The officer can only overturn the suspension if there is an error in the point calculation or if the violations were improperly recorded. The officer cannot waive the suspension based on hardship or personal circumstances.
If you do not request a hearing within 30 days, the suspension becomes effective on the date stated in the notice. You must surrender your physical license to the DMV or to a police officer if you are stopped while driving. Driving during a suspension is a separate criminal offense that can result in jail time and fines.
How to Check Your Current Point Total
You can view your driving record through the New Hampshire DMV website or by visiting a DMV office in person. The online system, called the Driver License Check, shows your current point total, all violations on your record, and the date each violation will drop off your record. You need your license number and date of birth to access it.
If you dispute the point total or believe a violation was recorded incorrectly, you must contact the court that issued the ticket. The DMV does not have authority to remove or reduce points; only the court can do that through a motion to vacate or modify the conviction. You will need to file this motion within the time allowed by the court, which is usually within one year of conviction.
Some violations may not appear on your record when ready. It can take two to four weeks for a ticket to be entered into the system after you are cited. If you were recently ticketed and do not see it yet, check again in a few weeks.
Reinstating Your License After Suspension Ends
When your suspension period ends, your license is not automatically reinstated. You must explore for reinstatement at a DMV office or online. Reinstatement requires paying a $100 reinstatement fee and providing proof that you have completed any court-ordered requirements (such as a defensive driving course or substance abuse program).
If your suspension was due to accumulating 12 points, you do not have to take a defensive driving course to reinstate, though taking one voluntarily can reduce your point total by up to 3 points. The course must be approved by the New Hampshire DMV and typically costs $50 to $100.
You cannot reinstate your license before the suspension period ends. If you attempt to drive before reinstatement is complete, you are driving with a suspended license, which is a separate criminal charge. After reinstatement, your points begin accumulating again from zero, but the violations that caused the suspension remain on your record for insurance purposes.
Points That Fall Off Your Record
Points expire 12 months after the violation date, not 12 months after the conviction date. Once 12 months have passed, those points no longer count toward a future suspension. However, the violation itself remains on your driving record for insurance companies and other purposes — it just stops adding to your point total.
If you have multiple violations, each one has its own 12-month expiration date. You might have one violation expire on March 15 and another on July 20 of the same year. Tracking these dates is important because it affects when you are at risk of hitting 12 points again.
Some violations, such as DUI or driving with a suspended license, remain on your record for longer periods and may not expire at all for insurance purposes. Even after points expire, these serious violations can affect your insurance rates for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get points if I pay the ticket without going to court?
Yes. Paying the ticket is the same as pleading guilty, and points are assessed when ready. The only way to avoid points is to contest the ticket in court and win, or to have the court reduce or dismiss the charge. If you pay, points are added whether or not you admit fault.
Can I get a restricted license while my license is suspended?
No. New Hampshire does not issue restricted licenses for point-based suspensions. You cannot drive for any reason during the suspension period. You may be able to request a hardship license for work or medical appointments, but this is rare and requires a separate petition to the court.
What if I get a ticket while my license is already suspended?
Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense, distinct from the original violation. You will face additional charges, fines, and possible jail time. The new ticket will also add points to your record once the suspension is lifted, which could lead to another suspension when ready after reinstatement.
Do points from other states count toward my New Hampshire suspension?
Yes. If you receive a ticket in Massachusetts, Vermont, or any other state, those points count toward your New Hampshire total. You must report out-of-state violations to the New Hampshire DMV. If you do not report them and the DMV discovers them later, you may face additional penalties.
Can I remove points by taking a defensive driving course?
A defensive driving course can reduce your point total by up to 3 points, but only if you take it voluntarily and the course is approved by the New Hampshire DMV. You cannot use a course to prevent a suspension that has already been triggered. The course must be completed before you reach 12 points to have any effect on your suspension risk.