Points, tickets and licence suspension in New Hampshire

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain how demerit points are assigned and how long they show.
• You can state the suspension thresholds for your age group.
• You can describe the Youth Operator suspension periods.
• You can name other ways to lose your driving privileges.

What you need to know and understand

• Points are 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 per conviction, depending on how serious the offense is.
• Points show on a certified copy of your record for 3 years from the violation date.
• Under 18: 6 points in one calendar year can mean up to a 3-month suspension.
• Under 21: 9 points in one calendar year can mean up to a 3-month suspension.
• 21 and over: 12 points in one calendar year can mean up to a 3-month suspension.
• Since January 1, 2026, youth operators under 20 can also be suspended for 20 to 40 days, 45 to 90 days or 90 to 180 days for a first, second or third offense.
• Out-of-state violations may be reported to New Hampshire and affect your record.

Common point values

• 3 points: speeding under 25 mph over the limit, failing to yield, running a stop sign, following too closely, failing to signal, railroad crossing violations, or a Youth Operator violation.
• 4 points: speeding 25 mph or more over the limit, improper passing, crossing a yellow line, negligent driving, or using a phone or device while driving.
• 6 points: serious offenses such as driving after suspension, or negligent homicide.

Suspension thresholds by age

The DMV looks at points within one, two and three calendar years, and the limits are lowest for the youngest drivers.

• Under 18: 6 points in 1 year (up to 3 months), 12 in 2 years (up to 6 months), 18 in 3 years (up to 1 year).
• Under 21: 9 points in 1 year (up to 3 months), 15 in 2 years (up to 6 months), 21 in 3 years (up to 1 year).
• 21 and older: 12 points in 1 year (up to 3 months), 18 in 2 years (up to 6 months), 24 in 3 years (up to 1 year).

The Youth Operator 'under 20' rule and other suspensions

Under RSA 263:14, as changed on January 1, 2026, the Director of Motor Vehicles can suspend or revoke an original license held by someone under 20, after a hearing, for certain offenses: 20 to 40 days for a first offense, 45 to 90 days for a second and 90 to 180 days for a third or later. A third offense also means completing an in-person driver attitude program before the license comes back. A youth operator convicted of impaired driving, reckless driving or speeding more than 30 mph over the limit faces at least 90 more days without a license plus that program, and the DMV says two or more speeding tickets in the first two years of holding the license bring a three-year SR-22 insurance requirement. Driving that poses an immediate hazard, a pattern of disregard for safety, or a crash causing death or serious injury can also lead to action. Our guide to New Hampshire youth operator restrictions has more on this.

You can also lose your privileges for impaired driving, refusing a chemical test, or being declared a habitual offender, which can bring a revocation of 1 to 4 years. Driving after a habitual offender order can mean 1 to 5 years in prison. If you receive a warning notice, the DMV offers driver improvement courses; check the DMV for current details.

Common mistakes

• Paying a ticket without realizing it adds points. A conviction posts points to your record.
• Assuming points from another state do not count. They can be reported to New Hampshire.
• Forgetting that the youth thresholds apply until 21, not just until 18.
• Ignoring a DMV warning notice. Act on it before more points push you over a limit.

Test yourself: Points, tickets and licence suspension in New Hampshire

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Learning to Drive in New Hampshire
• New Hampshire Driver’s Ed Requirements
• New Hampshire Permit Practice Test