New Hampshire’s Laws for Texting and Talking on the Phone While Driving

New Hampshire's distracted driving law prohibits all motorists from using a handheld cell phone or other device to text message or talk while driving. This article covers the specifics of the laws and the costs of a texting or cell phone ticket.

New Hampshire's Distracted Driving (Texting and Cell Phone) Laws

New Hampshire's distracted driving law makes it illegal for all motorists to drive while using a handheld mobile electronic device to:

• read, compose, view, or post an electronic message
• initiate, receive, or conduct a call
• initiate or request access to the Internet
• input information into a GPS or navigation system
• manually type data.

In other words, the law covers phone calls, texting, and manually entered information or data into and electronic device.

Presumptions and Definitions

Drivers who are caught with their phones in the immediate proximity to their ear are presumed to have been engaged in a call.

For purposes of the distracted driving law, "driving" includes being actually in motion and at temporary stops for reasons such as traffic, stop signs, and red lights. However, this definition doesn't include being behind the controls of a vehicle that's pulled to the side of or off the road and legally parked.

Exceptions to New Hampshire's Distracted Driving Law

The distracted driving law doesn't apply to:

• device use for contacting emergency services, such as police, the fire department, 9-1-1, or an emergency medical provider
• use of one hand to use a two-way, non-cellular radio
• hands-free technologies, or
• perform acts required by an ignition interlock device (IID).

The most commonly applicable exception for "hand-free technology." The other exceptions don't come up very often.

Penalties for Texting and Phone Violations in New Hampshire

Distracted driving violations carry a $100 fine for a first violation, a $250 fine for a second violation within 24 months, and a $500 fine for a third or subsequent violation within 24 months. Violators will also have to pay penalty assessments.

Phone and Texting Restrictions for New Hampshire Underage Drivers

Underage motorists (those under the age of 18) are completely prohibited from using a cell phone or other electronic device while driving. In other words, it doesn't matter if the underage motorist is using hands-free technologies.

Exception to New Hampshire's Underage Distracted Driving Rule

The only exception to the underage distracted driving law is for reporting emergencies.

Penalties for Underage Distracted Driving in New Hampshire

Underage distracted driving violations carry a $100 fine for a first violation, a $250 fine for a second violation within 24 months, and a $500 fine for a third or subsequent violation within 24 months. And all violations come with penalty assessments. The underage motorist may also face license suspension or revocation.