Suspended – Revoked License in New Hampshire

(SEE BELOW FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) INFORMATION)

There is a difference between having your New Hampshire driver’s license suspended and having it revoked.

• A suspension means you cannot drive for a certain period of time, but can get your license back later.
• A revocation of your license means your driver’s license is cancelled, and you will need to submit to an investigation before you can obtain another license.

Insurance companies keep a close watch on license suspensions / revocations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums. It is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice. Additionally, you will face Heavy Fines and Reinstatement Fees, and Points on your driver’s license! All this information can be found on our website. You could also contact Ticket Counsel absolutely FREE!!!

There are a variety of reasons why your New Hampshire driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a New Hampshire driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Excessive Moving Violations: The state of New Hampshire operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. Your driving license can be suspended for 3 months to a year. There are 3 age categories for point accumulation and subsequent suspension. They are as follows:
  • Drivers under the age of 18:
    • 6 points in 12 months – 3-month suspension.
    • 12 points in 2 consecutive years – up to 6-month suspension.
    • 18 points in 3 consecutive years – up to 1-year suspension.
  • Drivers between the ages of 18-20:
    • 9 points in 12 months – 3-month suspension.
    • 15 points in 2 consecutive years – up to 6-month suspension.
    • 21 points in 3 consecutive years – up to 1-year suspension.
  • Drivers age 21 and above:
    • 12 points in 12 months – 3-month suspension.
    • 18 points in 2 consecutive years – up to 6-month suspension.
    • 24 points in 3 consecutive years – up 1 year suspension.
  • Driving Under the Influence. Your New Hampshire driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. Your driver’s license will be suspended for 180 days to 2 years for failing or refusing to submit to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test. A first offense carries a fine of $1,000 and a suspension period of 90 days up to 2 years (20 to 90 days for any violation if you are under 20 years old). A second will be considered a misdemeanor and not a violation. You might also be asked to take a treatment program. The fine is $1,000, in addition to the cost of the program, reinstatement and lawyer fees.
  • Driving with a Suspended License or No License. Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving.
  • Driving without Insurance. All motor vehicles driven in New Hampshire must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
  • Other Driving-Related Violations. Your New Hampshire driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving (suspension is for 90 days to 2 years for reckless driving), are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway. Other reasons include speeding, reckless driving, taking over a school bus unlawfully, disobeying a law enforcement officer, leaving the scene of an accident without giving aid, using a vehicle to commit a crime and vehicular homicide or manslaughter.
  • Physical or Psychological Disqualification. The Division of Motor Vehicles can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
  • Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension. A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a Division of Motor Vehicles notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support.
  • Habitual Offender. You are considered a habitual offender and your license is suspended if you meet one of the following set of criteria:
    • You have 12 convictions, which are a combination of speeding, yellow-line violations, operating without a license or operating without insurance.
    • You have 3 major convictions. (DUI, reckless driving, etc.)
    • One major conviction and any combination of 8 convictions for reasons given above.
    • Two major convictions and any combination of any 4 convictions from the reasons given above.

These convictions are based on the date of violation occurred and have been within a 5 year period.

Any suspension or revocation will be reported to the National Driver Register. You cannot apply for a driver’s license in another state while your New Hampshire license is under suspension. If your license has been under suspension in another state and now you are applying for a New Hampshire drivers license the suspension must be cleared so that your out of state license is valid before you are able to get a New Hampshire driver’s license.

You will receive a notice from the DMV after you have completed your suspension period. The notice will include complete instructions regarding how to get your license back. The process of getting the license reinstated depends on the reason for suspension. For instance, if it was suspended for a DUI, you will have to complete the Impaired Driver Improvement Program (IDIP) or a Weekend Impaired Driver Improvement Program (WIPID) or a Phase II Program or Multiple Offender Program and file SR-22 before you apply for reinstatement. If you are considered a Habitual Offender and wish to reinstate your license, you will have to apply for a de-certification hearing. You will have to file the Request for Decertification from Habitual Offender Revocation Form and submit it to the Bureau of Hearings (address below). Generally, you will need to:

• Pay a restoration fee (see below). The fee cannot be paid at a substation. You can pay by phone: (800) 272-0036 (U.S. only). (603) 227-4070, or mail a check or money order payable to:

DOS DMV

23 Hazen Drive

Concord, NH 03305

• Apply for a standard license renewal to obtain a new license.
• If your driver’s license has been suspended for 3 years or more, you’ll need to visit your local NH DMV office and pass a vision exam, knowledge test, and driving skills test.
• If you need to take a test at a New Hampshire DMV office, you’ll need to bring a NH non-driver ID card or another acceptable form of identification.

Note that after your license is restored, you may be subject to a probation period during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your New Hampshire driver’s license.

Your reinstatement fees will vary depending on the reason for your driver license suspension. Below are listed general NH Department of Motor Vehicles reinstatement/ restoration fees that may apply:

• Non-commercial driver’s license: $100.
• Youth operator driver’s license: $50.

To confirm your reinstatement fees, refer to your suspension notice or contact the New Hampshire DMV. The New Hampshire DMV accepts the following forms of payment:

• In person: Cash, Credit card, Check or money order payable to “NH-DMV” with a note for “License Restoration.”
• By mail: Check or money order payable to “NH-DMV” with a note for “License Restoration.”
• By phone: MasterCard, VISA, and American Express credit card.

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. You are required by law to notify your employer within 30 days of any traffic offense conviction or by the end of the next business day after you receiving a CDL disqualification notice. Your CDL may be disqualified/suspended for violations committed in both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. For specific information about your CDL suspension/disqualification, please refer to your notice or contact the New Hampshire DMV Financial Responsibility department by Phone: (603) 227-4010. E-mail: [email protected].

Your CDL and commercial driving privileges are subject to state and federal regulations, including disqualifications lasting:

• 1 year for a 1st violation of a major offense, such as:
  • DUI/DWI (BAC of 0.04% or higher) or drug-related offenses.
  • Refusing to submit to a BAC test.
  • Hit and runs and leaving the scene of a truck accident.
  • Violating Out-Of-Service Orders.
  • Reckless driving and speeding.
  • Following too closely and making erratic lane changes.
  • Driving a commercial vehicle without a CDL on hand.
  • Driving without the proper endorsements.
  • Using your commercial vehicle in a felony.
• 3 years for a 1st violation of a major offense (while transporting hazardous materials).
• A lifetime for a 2nd violation of a major offense.
• 60 to 120 days for committing multiple serious traffic violations within 3 years.
• 60 to 120 days for violated Railroad Highway Grade Crossing rules.

If you want to contest your suspended/disqualified New Hampshire CDL, you may be able to request a New Hampshire DMV administrative hearing. Certain administrative hearings must be requested within a specific period of time after your arrest date or after you receive your suspension/ disqualification notice. Administrative license suspension (ALS) hearings must be requested within 30 days. Uninsured accident suspensions must be requested within 10 days. Contact the New Hampshire Bureau of Hearings for more information: Phone: (603) 271-3486. E-mail: [email protected].

NOTE: DMV hearings have no effect on court decisions.

To request an administrative hearing for your CDL suspension/disqualification:

• Complete the ALS online request form, if you have an administrative license suspension for alcohol-related offenses.
• Complete the general hearing online request form, if your suspension/disqualification was caused by other reasons.
• OR: Make a written request and mail it to: Department of Safety
 Bureau of Hearings
, 33 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03305

Your CDL reinstatement requirements will vary depending on the reason for your disqualification and whether or not your non-commercial driving privileges have also been suspended.

To reinstate your commercial driver’s license, you may need to:

• Retake and pass the commercial driving knowledge and skills tests.
• Complete an alcohol education/treatment program, if applicable.
• Pay a reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your New Hampshire CDL” below.)

Please refer to your suspension notice or contact the New Hampshire DMV for specific instructions to reinstate your CDL. Once you’ve satisfied all requirements, the New Hampshire Department of Safety will mail you a confirmation of restoration/rescind notice.

Your reinstatement fees will vary depending on the reason for your CDL disqualification/suspension. The standard cost to reinstate your CDL is $100. You may have to pay additional fees depending on your offense. Please refer to your suspension notice or contact the New Hampshire DMV for fees specific to your situation. NOTE: If you were convicted of a crime for your offense, you may also need to pay additional court fines.

To pay your CDL reinstatement fees, you can either pay your fees by phone: (800) 272-0036 (U.S. only), (603) 227-4070, or submit your fees in person or by mail to:

• NH Department of Safety
 DMV, 23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305.

Acceptable Forms of Payment: The New Hampshire DMV accepts the following forms of payment for reinstatements:

• In person: Cash, Credit cards, Check or money order payable to “NH-DMV” (include a note for “License Restoration”).
• By mail: Check or money order payable to “NH-DMV” (include a note for “License Restoration”).
• By phone: MasterCard, VISA, and American Express credit cards.