New Hampshire Teen Driver Penalties: Suspensions and the 0.02 Limit
What happens if a New Hampshire driver under 20 with an original license is convicted of an offense?
After a hearing, the New Hampshire director of motor vehicles can suspend or revoke an original license held by a driver under 20. A first offense means 20 to 40 days, a second means 45 to 90 days, and a third or later offense means 90 to 180 days. For a third or later offense, you must also finish an approved in-person driver program.
Where the New Hampshire teen penalty facts come from
The suspension periods, curfew penalties and the 90-day rule come from RSA 263:14, the New Hampshire law on original and youth operator licenses. The phone fines come from RSA 265:79-c. The alcohol license penalties come from RSA 263:56-b. The 0.02 limit is in RSA 265-A:2, the liquor transport rule in RSA 265-A:45, the restoration fee in RSA 263:42 and the hearing and insurance rules in Saf-C 1016.04. These sources are current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.nh.gov) before you drive.
Original license suspension periods in New Hampshire
| Conviction | Suspension or revocation | To get the license back |
|---|---|---|
| First offense | 20 to 40 days | Serve the period and pay the restoration fee |
| Second offense | 45 to 90 days | Serve the period and pay the restoration fee |
| Third or later offense | 90 to 180 days | Finish an approved in-person driver program (Saf-C 212.08), then pay the fee |
Who holds an original license and how the hearing works
An original license is the first license a New Hampshire applicant receives. It lasts until the fifth birthday after issue, and the Saf-C rules define it as a license for a person under 20. The penalties above apply to an offense you commit after the license is issued. Three offenses are excluded: RSA 261:40, 261:59 and 266:5.
The director must hold a hearing before a suspension, and the Saf-C rules give the license holder an opportunity to be heard. An original license suspension does not run at the same time as any other penalty under title XXI.
Youth operator curfew and passenger rules in New Hampshire
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Night curfew | A youth operator may not drive from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. |
| Seat belts | The number of people in the vehicle may not be more than the number of safety restraints. |
| Passengers in the first 6 months | No more than one passenger under 25 who is not a family member, unless a licensed responsible adult 25 or older rides along. |
Fines and suspensions for a youth operator rule violation
A youth operator license is for drivers 16 up to 21. A first curfew or passenger violation brings a fine up to $100 and a suspension up to 30 days. Later violations bring a fine up to $200 and a suspension up to 90 days. The curfew, passenger and penalty rules do not apply to drivers over 18. Read more about each limit in our guide to youth operator restrictions.
If a youth operator breaks one of these rules in a crash that causes death or serious injury, the director may suspend or revoke the license after a hearing. That suspension can last up to 12 months while police investigate.
The 90-day rule for a youth operator, in force since January 1, 2026
Alcohol rules for New Hampshire drivers under 21
| Rule | Limit or penalty |
|---|---|
| Alcohol concentration while driving | 0.02 or more for a person under 21. The limit for other drivers is 0.08. |
| Alcohol offense by a person not yet 21 (RSA 263:56-b) | The court may order loss of the license for 90 days to one year on a first finding or conviction, and 6 months to 2 years after that. The court may order an alcohol education program instead. |
| Carrying liquor, a beverage or marijuana (RSA 265-A:45) | A driver under 21 may not carry it in any part of the vehicle unless certain family members are along. The license may be suspended for 60 days. |
Phone use under 18: fines today and from 2027
A New Hampshire driver under 18 may not use a cell phone or other mobile device while driving or stopped in traffic, even hands-free. One exception is a call to report an emergency to enhanced 911 or a public safety agency. A driver of any age may also hear spoken route directions from a hands-free navigation device. A violation brings the fines of RSA 265:79-c, III, and can bring a suspension or revocation under RSA 263:14, III. Drivers 18 and older may use a Bluetooth or other hands-free device, as our hands-free law guide explains. The fines change on January 1, 2027.
New Hampshire phone fines by offense within 24 months
| Offense | Until January 1, 2027 | From January 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| First | $100 plus a penalty assessment | $250, or $500 if the violation contributes to a crash |
| Second | $250 plus a penalty assessment | $500, or $750 with a crash |
| Third or later | $500 plus a penalty assessment | $750 and a suspension up to 30 days, or $1,000 and 60 days with a crash |
License restoration fee after a teen suspension
After a suspension under RSA 263:14, you pay a $50 restoration fee for the original or youth operator license. After other suspensions or revocations, the restoration fee is $100. The commissioner may waive the fee under certain conditions set by rule.
Key takeaways
- A driver under 20 with an original license can lose it for 20 to 40 days (first), 45 to 90 days (second) or 90 to 180 days (third or later) after a conviction and a hearing.
- A youth operator who breaks the 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. curfew or the passenger limit faces a fine up to $100 and a suspension up to 30 days for a first violation.
- Since January 1, 2026, a youth operator convicted of an RSA 265-A alcohol or drug offense, reckless driving or speeding more than 30 mph over the limit waits at least 90 days after any court suspension and must finish a driver attitude program.
- The alcohol limit is 0.02 for a driver under 21, and a driver under 18 may not use a phone while driving, even hands-free, except to report an emergency.
- Next step: practice on the free New Hampshire non-commercial operator practice test.
New Hampshire teen driver penalties: common questions
Does a speeding ticket from another state count toward an original license suspension?
Yes. The Saf-C rules say a conviction means a violation of any motor vehicle offense, whether it happened in New Hampshire or in another jurisdiction. Test yourself with our free question on a first speeding conviction for a driver under 20.
Does a no contest plea count as a conviction for a teen driver?
For an original license suspension, yes. A plea of nolo contendere (no contest) is treated the same way as a conviction that involves a guilty plea. So a no contest plea to a first speeding ticket can still lead to a 20 to 40 day suspension after a hearing.
What happens if I miss my original license suspension hearing?
If you do not appear, you give up your right to a hearing, unless exigent circumstances apply, and the suspension starts at 12:01 a.m. on the date of the scheduled hearing. At the hearing, you can show extenuating circumstances, for example the effect of a suspension on your school or job, or a record with no earlier convictions.
Can I drive with my parent's beer in the trunk if I am under 21?
Only when a parent or another listed family member rides with you. A driver under 21 may not carry liquor, a beverage or marijuana in any part of the vehicle unless a parent, stepparent, legal guardian, grandparent, step-grandparent, spouse 21 or older, domestic partner or sibling is along. The license may be suspended for 60 days.
When do I need an SR-22 with an original license?
The Saf-C rules require proof of liability insurance in the form of an SR-22 certificate when an original license holder has 2 or more speeding convictions for violations within 2 years of the date the license was issued. This comes in addition to the suspension.
How much alcohol can a 19 year old have before driving in New Hampshire?
The limit for a driver under 21 is an alcohol concentration of 0.02, compared with 0.08 for older drivers. So a 19 year old with a 0.03 test result is over the limit. Try our free question on the under 21 alcohol limit to check what you learned.
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