Drivers License Suspension in New Hampshire

Drinking and driving is not to be taken lightly, and in an effort to curb drunk driving, there are a few instances in which your license will be suspended immediately in the state of New Hampshire.

For instance in New Hampshire your license will be suspended if: 

1. You refuse to take an alcohol concentration test.
   
2. You take the test and your alcohol concentration level is above the legal limit.

These are known as administrative suspensions. These types of suspensions begin at six months, but can be as long as two years if there is a prior refusal or prior DWI conviction on your record.

Another note about the test: If you take the test and your result is higher than the 0.08 percent alcohol level allowed by New Hampshire, the officer will immediately confiscate your driver's license and provide you with a 30-day temporary license.

What About Underage Drivers?
If you are an underage driver or unlicensed operator of a motor vehicle under the age of 18, and you are convicted of a DWI or any other drug or alcohol related charge in the state of New Hampshire, your license will be revoked or your application for a license will be denied if you do not yet have a license.

Children up to age 18 face a license suspension of up to five years. If you are over the age of 18, but under the age of 21, your license can be suspended for any period of time, including a lifetime suspension.

Repercussions of Driving with a Suspended Licenses
Even greater repercussions exist for drivers who are driving a motor vehicle with a suspended license. For drivers whose license has been suspended due to any kind of alcohol-related driving event (refusal of consent, alcohol concentration, etc.) and are caught driving while a suspended license, they will be guilty of a misdemeanor.  Additionally, those individuals will have to spend a minimum of seven days in jail and pay fines of up to $1,000. Their license will also be suspended for an additional year.

What’s more, if you have an accident while driving with a suspended license, you will be convicted of a felony. Do not drive if your license is suspended!

The state of New Hampshire does not offer work permits or limited driving permits. If your license is suspended, you cannot drive. However, you can and should appeal the suspension, and if you are found not guilty of the DWI charge, your license may be reinstated, although administrative license suspensions will stand.