DMV Point System in New Hampshire

The West Wing's Jed Bartlet left his (fictional) stamp as one of the most tenacious and treasured politicians New Hampshire (and the country) had ever seen. Traffic tickets can also leave their stamp, in the form of points on your driving record, even after you've paid the necessary fines.

We'll teach you the basics of the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles' (DMV) point system, which is used to track the citations you receive.

Points & Your NH Driver's License

If you typically drive yourself to work or school, having enough points on your NH record could turn your daily routine inside out.

Your age determines the parameters AND maximum time period for license suspension in New Hampshire. If you are:

  • Younger than 18 years old:
    • 6 points in 1 calendar year: 3 months.
    • 12 points in 2 calendar years: 6 months.
    • 18 points in 3 calendar years: 1 year.
  • Younger than 21 years old:
    • 9 points in 1 calendar year: 3 months.
    • 15 points in 2 calendar years: 6 months.
    • 21 points in 3 calendar years: 1 year.
  • 21 years old or older:
    • 12 points in 1 calendar year: 3 months.
    • 18 points in 2 calendar years: 6 months.
    • 24 points in 3 calendar years: 1 year.

If you're convicted for serious traffic violations, like DWI or refusal to take a sobriety test, the New Hampshire DMV will automatically revoke your driving privileges.

Head over to our suspended driver license page for guidelines on reinstating your NH driver's license.

DMV.ORG TIP: Record Checks Matter!

Knowing what's on your New Hampshire driving record is just as important as knowing your credit score—if you don't keep track of your points, a license suspension could catch you off guard.

Check your record today for some peace of mind tomorrow.

New Hampshire DMV Point Schedule

Point values are assigned based on the severity of each traffic violation: the worse the ticket, the more points it carries. Remember, the NH DMV will still count points against you for citations you receive out-of-state.

Below are some examples of common traffic citations and their corresponding point values. Take a look at the NH Division of Motor Vehicles' demerit points page for the complete point schedule.

  • Driving without a license: 2 points.
  • Speeding over the posted limit by:
    • 1 to 24 MPH: 3 points.
    • 25 MPH or more: 4 points.
  • Road racing: 6 points.
  • School bus violation: 6 points.
  • Conduct after an accident: 6 points.
  • Disobeying the police: 6 points.
  • DWI: 6 points.
  • Taking a vehicle without the owner's permission: 6 points.

For traffic citations carrying higher points, you may be required to plead your case in traffic court. Head over to our page on fighting NH traffic tickets for tips on preparing for court.

NOTE: Commercial drivers in New Hampshire could face automatic license suspension AND higher point penalties for certain tickets. See our CDL suspension guide for more.

Increase in Points = Increased Insurance Rates

DID YOU KNOW: Insurance providers look at your driving record when deciding how much to charge you for coverage. Make sure you know how traffic tickets can affect your car insurance rates, especially if you're shopping for a new provider or policy.

Clear Your NH Driving Record

The key to maintaining your NH driver's license is keeping your driving record as clean as possible. The Division of Motor Vehicles will automatically remove points 3 years after a ticket's conviction date.

If you want to remove points sooner, consider enrolling in a New Hampshire driver improvement course. To take the course, you must have AT LEAST 3 points on your driving record.

When you complete the course, the NH DMV will subtract 3 points from your record. You may NOT reduce any more than those 3 points during a period of 3 years.

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