Driving on a Suspended License in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, your license may be suspended or revoked for a variety of reasons, including driving offenses, criminal convictions, and matters unrelated to driving. It is illegal to drive on a suspended or revoked license. If you do, you may be charged with a violation or a crime.

Reasons for Suspension or Revocation

Your license may be suspended or revoked for driving offenses, criminal convictions, or other reasons. For example, your license may be revoked or suspended if you:

• have been convicted frequently enough of serious traffic offenses that the state believes you show a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for safety
• are an habitually reckless or negligent driver, as shown by New Hampshire’s point system for licenses or reasons
• have an impairment that makes you incompetent to drive
• have fraudulently used a license, or been convicted of offenses such as using a fake ID
• fail to appear in court for a traffic citation or for certain criminal charges
• caused an accident that killed or injured someone or resulted in serious property damage
• have three convictions in the same year for certain traffic violations
• evade tolls
• allow someone younger than age 21 to use your license to buy alcohol
• are a sex offender who fails to comply with registration requirements for more than 30 days
• are convicted of vehicle theft or reckless driving, or
• refuse to submit to a chemical test to determine whether you are intoxicated or if you fail a chemical test to determine whether you are intoxicated. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 23:56, § 23:55, § 263:56-f, § 265-a:30263:572, § 63:56-a(e), § 263:58, § 263:65.)

Your license may be suspended or revoked for many other reasons.

Reinstating your License

The period of time your license is suspended or revoked may depend on the reason for the suspension or revocation and other reasons. You should not drive while your license is suspended or revoked. After your period of suspension or revocation expires, you may have to pay a reinstatement fee or fulfill other conditions before your license will be valid again.

Your reinstatement fee may be $50 or $100, depending on the circumstances. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 263:42(V).) It may also be waived under certain conditions. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 263:42(V).)

Charges for Driving After Suspension or Revocation

Driving after revocation or suspension is illegal. In New Hampshire, you may be charged with a violation, a misdemeanor, or a felony, depending on the circumstances.

Violation

Driving after suspension or revocation may be considered a violation. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. 263.64(VII).) A violation is not a crime. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 625:9(II)(b).) If you are given a violation for driving after suspension or revocation, you may given a minimum fine of:

• $250 for a first offense, and
• $500 for a second or subsequent offense. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 263.64(VII).)

The maximum fine for a violation is $1,000. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 651:2(IV)(a).)

Misdemeanor

Driving after suspension or revocation may also be considered a crime. You may be charged with a misdemeanor in certain circumstances. For example, you may be charged with a misdemeanor if your license was suspended or revoked due to reckless driving or certain DUIs. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 263:64(IV).) In these cases, your sentence may include:

• a minimum of seven days in jail
• a fine of up to $1,000, and
• a license revocation for an additional year. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 263:64(IV).)

You may also be charged with a misdemeanor if you have had a previous conviction for driving after revocation or suspension within seven years. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 263:64(VI).)

Felony

You may also be charged with a Class B felony in certain circumstances, such as if you are driving after suspension or revocation and you are involved in a collision that kills or injures someone. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 263:64(V-a)(a).) The maximum penalty for a Class B felony is

• up to seven years in prison, and
• a fine of up to $4,000. (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 651:2(II)(b), § 651:2(IV)(a).)

Legal Help for Charges of Driving After Suspension or Revocation in New Hampshire

You may want to hire a lawyer if you are charged with driving after suspension or revocation in New Hampshire. A conviction may result in fines or jail time in come circumstances. These serious consequences may create difficulty getting to school or work, you may have difficulty obtaining or retaining insurance, and other areas of your life may be affected. While the law provides specific penalties for driving after suspension or revocation, in reality your sentence will be determined in part by the view that local judges and prosecutors have of the crime. An attorney who is familiar with these charges in your area will be able to provide you with information about your individual case.