What causes a license suspension in New Hampshire
New Hampshire suspends licenses for specific violations, and the reason matters because it determines how you get your license back. The most common cause is a DUI conviction — a first offense typically results in a 6-month suspension, though that can extend to 3 years depending on your blood alcohol level and prior history. A second DUI within 10 years brings a 2-year suspension minimum.
You can also lose your license for accumulating too many points on your driving record. New Hampshire uses a point system where serious violations (like reckless driving or speeding 30+ mph over the limit) add 4 points, while minor infractions add 2 points. Reach 12 points within 12 months and your license is suspended for 3 months. Reach 18 points within 24 months and the suspension extends to 1 year.
Other suspension triggers include failing to pay traffic fines, not maintaining required insurance (which triggers an SR22 filing requirement), refusing a breathalyzer test, or being convicted of certain drug-related offenses. Unpaid child support can also result in a license suspension through the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Key Takeaways
- DUI suspensions in New Hampshire last 6 months for a first offense, but can extend to 3 years depending on your blood alcohol level and prior convictions.
- Point accumulation — 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months — triggers a suspension that you can challenge by attending a hearing.
- You must file an SR22 form with your insurance company before the New Hampshire Department of Safety will restore your license after a suspension related to uninsured driving.
- The restoration process varies by suspension reason, but always requires you to contact the New Hampshire Department of Safety directly to confirm what documents and fees you need.
- Some suspensions can be reduced or lifted early if you complete a defensive driving course or substance abuse program, depending on the violation type.
How to restore your license after a DUI suspension
After your suspension period ends, you cannot straightforward start driving again. You must contact the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, to request reinstatement. For a DUI suspension, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100, though this may change) and provide proof that you have completed a substance abuse evaluation and any required treatment or education program.
New Hampshire requires a DUI offender to complete an impaired driver program before reinstatement. This is not optional — the DMV will not restore your license without proof of completion. The program length depends on your offense level and prior history. You can find approved programs through the New Hampshire Department of Safety website or by calling their Motor Vehicle Division directly at 603-271-2411.
If you had a commercial driver's license (CDL), the suspension period is longer and the reinstatement requirements are stricter. A first DUI with a CDL results in a 1-year suspension, and you will need to retake your CDL knowledge and skills tests before the DMV will restore it.
Restoring your license after a point suspension
If your suspension resulted from accumulating too many points, you have the right to request a hearing before the suspension takes effect. You must request this hearing in writing within 7 days of receiving your suspension notice. Send your request to the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, at 23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that the violations were not your fault or that the points were assessed incorrectly. If the hearing officer agrees, the suspension may be reduced or cancelled. If the suspension stands, you must wait out the full period — 3 months for 12 points in 12 months, or 1 year for 18 points in 24 months.
Once your suspension period ends, contact the Motor Vehicle Division to request reinstatement. You will need to pay a $100 reinstatement fee and provide a valid form of identification. Unlike DUI suspensions, point-based suspensions do not require proof of a defensive driving course, though completing one voluntarily can help you avoid future suspensions by removing up to 3 points from your record.
SR22 requirements for insurance-related suspensions
If your license was suspended because you drove without insurance or let your insurance lapse, New Hampshire requires you to file an SR22 form before you can drive legally again. An SR22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves to the state you now carry the minimum required insurance.
You cannot file an SR22 yourself — your insurance company files it on your behalf. Contact your current insurer or find a new one willing to insure you (some companies specialize in high-risk drivers). Once your insurer files the SR22 with the New Hampshire Department of Safety, the DMV will lift the suspension. This typically happens within 1 to 3 business days.
You must maintain continuous coverage for 3 years from the date of the original violation. If your insurance lapses even for one day during this period, the DMV will be notified automatically and your license will be suspended again. Your insurance company will charge you a filing fee for the SR22, usually between $15 and $25, in addition to your regular premium.
Fees and documents you will need
The reinstatement fee for any suspension in New Hampshire is $100, payable to the Department of Safety. You will also need a valid form of identification — a passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID — when you explore for reinstatement.
Bring proof of any required completion: a certificate from your DUI education program, proof of child support payments if that was the reason for suspension, or documentation that you have resolved unpaid fines. If your suspension was related to a drug conviction, you may need to provide proof of completion of a drug court program or treatment.
You can explore for reinstatement in person at any New Hampshire DMV office, by mail, or online through the New Hampshire Department of Safety website. Processing times vary — in-person applications are usually completed the same day, while mail applications take 1 to 2 weeks.
What happens if you drive on a suspended license
Driving with a suspended license in New Hampshire is a criminal offense, not just a traffic violation. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $500. A second offense within 5 years carries up to 2 years in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Beyond criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license will result in an additional suspension period added to your original one. It also makes it much harder to find affordable insurance when you are eventually reinstated, because insurers will view you as extremely high-risk. Your best option is to wait out the suspension period, complete any required programs, and follow the reinstatement process.
How to contact the New Hampshire Department of Safety
The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, handles all license suspensions and reinstatements. You can reach them by phone at 603-271-2411 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). They can tell you the exact reason your license was suspended, what documents you need to provide, and the current status of your case.
You can also visit the DMV website at nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv to check your driving record, read forms, and find the address of the DMV office nearest you. If you need to explore by mail, send your reinstatement request and required documents to 23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire does not issue hardship or work licenses during a suspension. You cannot drive for any reason — work, medical appointments, or school — until your suspension is lifted and your license is reinstated. Your only option is to wait out the suspension period and complete the reinstatement process.
Will a defensive driving course reduce my suspension time?
A defensive driving course will not shorten a DUI or point-based suspension, but it can help you avoid future suspensions by removing up to 3 points from your record once your license is reinstated. For DUI suspensions, completing an approved impaired driver program is required for reinstatement, not optional.
What if I moved out of New Hampshire while my license was suspended?
You must still complete the reinstatement process with the New Hampshire DMV before you can legally drive in any state. If you now live in another state, contact the New Hampshire Department of Safety to arrange reinstatement by mail. You will still need to pay the $100 fee and provide proof of any required programs or insurance.
How long does reinstatement take if I explore in person?
If you explore in person at a New Hampshire DMV office with all required documents and the reinstatement fee, your license is usually restored the same day. If you explore by mail, allow 1 to 2 weeks for processing. Call 603-271-2411 to confirm your suspension has ended before you explore.
Do I need new insurance before I can get my license back?
If your suspension was not related to uninsured driving, you do not need to change your insurance to get reinstated. However, once your license is restored, you must carry the New Hampshire minimum — currently $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage — or you risk another suspension.