New Hampshire DUI Laws

New Hampshire does not tolerate drinking and driving  -- even for first time offenders. First-time offenders will lose their licenses for 9 months following a conviction, but the judge has the right to suspend your license for up to 2 years. Mandatory extended license suspension periods and threat of jail time helps keep New Hampshire drivers on the straight and narrow and the state has the statistics prove it. In 2007, the state of New Hampshire reported one of the lowest number of fatal alcohol-related car accidents in the country. A total of 51 people lost their lives to drunk drivers in 2007 in the state of New Hampshire. 43 other states reported figures 2-5 times higher or more.  

What is the blood alcohol content level (BAC) limit in the state of New Hampshire?

In the state of New Hampshire, it is a crime to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Sentence enhancements exist for cases involving a BAC of 0.15% or higher.

In the state of New Hampshire what is the administrative license suspension period for a first offense?

In the state of New Hampshire, if you get arrested for DUI, the administrative license suspension period for a first offense is 6 months. Under administrative license suspension, the drivers’ license will be taken before conviction when he either fails or refuses to be tested for alcohol or drugs. During the 6-month suspension period, the driver may not obtain a limited license.

In the state of New Hampshire, what are the penalties for a first DUI offense? Second offense?

For a first DUI offense your license will be suspended for a minimum of 9 months up to 2 years. You will have to pay a $500 fine and you will have to enroll in an alcohol treatment program at your own expense. A second DUI conviction will cost $750 and a minimum jail term of 10 days. It is important to note that the judge can sentence you to as much time as he or she sees fit. In addition to jail time and fines, you will have to complete a multiple DUI offender program at your own expense as well as drug and alcohol treatment. For a third offense you will lose your license for 5 years and you will have to spend a minimum of 6 months  in jail.