New Hampshire

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of New Hampshire. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    .16 6 months  

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for all convictions.

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    Yes Yes

     

  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

    Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    6 yrs and younger who are 57" or shorter

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    7-17 yrs (or under 6 yrs and 57" or taller)

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    No

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers under 18. Primary law.

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • None

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for medical use
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    5 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    75 and over: road test required

  • Motorcyclists

    No helmet laws.

  • Seat Belts

    New Hampshire has enacted neither a primary nor a secondary seat belt law for adults, although the state does have a primary child passenger safety law that covers all drivers and passengers under 18.

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    Prohibited

    Red Light Cameras

    Prohibited

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 (70 on specified segments) 65 (70 on specified segments)

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 (70 on specified segments) 65 (70 on specified segments)

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    55 (70 on specified segments) 55 (70 on specified segments)
  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    Nighttime driving: 17 years, 1 month

    Driving with passengers: 16 years, 6 months

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    15 / 6 None 40 (10)

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 1 a.m. - 4 a.m. First 6 months: no more than 1 under 25