New Hampshire’s Traffic Violation Point System

New Hampshire established a traffic violation point system to identify problematic drivers. Every traffic violation conviction is reported to the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and most violations are assigned a number of points. This article explains New Hampshire's traffic violation point system, including the consequences of accumulating too many points.

How Does New Hampshire's Traffic Ticket Point System Work?

In New Hampshire, the DMV assigns a certain number of points for each traffic violation conviction. The number of points roughly correlates to the seriousness of the offense (see chart below).

Drivers who rack up too many points face license suspension and having to complete driver's education courses.

License Suspension and Course Requirements for Traffic Violation Points in New Hampshire

Generally, the accumulation of points will result in a warning letter from the DMV explaining the point system. If the driver acquires a certain number of points, the DMV will issue an "order to appear" for hearing. At the hearing, the administrative hearing officer will review the driver's file and determine the length of the suspension. A hearing may not be required for suspensions under six months. The suspension length depends on the age of the driver and the number of accumulated points.

Suspension Periods for Traffic Ticket Points in New Hampshire

A driver under the age of 18 years old will be suspended for:

• Up to three months for having six points in one year
• Up to six months for having 12 points in two years, and
• Up to one year for having 18 points in three years.

A driver over 18 but under 21 years old will be suspended for:

• Up to three months for having nine points in one year
• Up to six months for having 15 points in two years, and
• Up to one year for having 21 points in three years.

A driver over 21 years old will be suspended for:

• Up to three months for having 12 points in one year
• Up to six months for having 18 points in two years, and
• Up to one year for having 24 points in three years.

New Hampshire's Driver Attitude Program

Suspended drivers are also required to complete a "driver attitude" program. This program is similar to the driver improvement course (see below) but is six to eight hours and does not remove any points.

How Long Do Points Stay on Your New Hampshire Driving Record?

The DMV stops counting the points for an offense three years after the violation date.

New Hampshire Allows You to Reduce Your Points by Completing a Driver Improvement Course

A driver can reduce his or her point total by three points by voluntarily completing a driver improvement course. Drivers can get the reduction only once every three years.

Traffic Violation Points for Common Offenses in New Hampshire

Here are the points assigned to some of the most common traffic offenses.

Violation	Points Assessed
No registration in possession	1
Failure to obtain resident license	1
No registration	2
Failure to display license	2
License restriction violation	2
Improper license class	2
Operating motorcycle without license	2
Disobey police officer	2
Littering	2
Disobey traffic control device	3
Wrong way on one-way street or roundabout	3
Following too closely	3
Driving on sidewalk	3
Failure yield right-of-way	3
Failure to yield to emergency vehicles	3
Failure to use due care	3
Failure to signal for turn	3
Railroad crossing violation	3
Speeding less than 25 miles per hour over limit	3
Coasting	3
Carrying passengers in truck bed	3
Driving without a license	4
Improper passing	4
Speeding more than 25 miles per hour over limit	4
No insurance	4
Negligent driving	4
Vehicular homicide, assault, or manslaughter	6
Driving while suspended	6
Joyriding	6
Racing	6
Reckless driving	6
Driving under the influence	6
Driving while in possession of drugs	6

Multiple violations arising from the same occurrence will result in only a single assessment of points.