New Hampshire (NH) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

New Hampshire is well aware of the unsettling toll inexperienced driving takes on its young population. It also knows that alcohol increases the risk of teen crashes dramatically and inexperienced nighttime driving is one of the leading causes of teen car crashes in the state. The good news is, states with nighttime driving restrictions show a crash reduction rate up to 60% during restricted hours. In addition to this, states that operate under the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system have reduced teen crashes across the nation by 9-26% or more.

In an effort to reduce the number of teen crashes in its own backyard, the state of New Hampshire has adopted and enforces the many of the conditions associated with the nation’s basic Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system. Continue reading to learn more.

New Hampshire Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL), Requirements, and Restrictions

The New Hampshire Graduated Licensing (GDL) system loosely follows the path of the nation’s standard GDL system. The system does not require a learner’s permit, so it only has two steps, instead of the standard three. To begin the path to full licensure, New Hampshire teens must have the consent of a parent or guardian to practice driving at age 15 1/2 . Once the teen has reached the age of 16, he may obtain a Youth Operator License (YOP). To obtain a YOP, you must:

•    Complete a driver education course
•    Complete 20 hours of supervised driving
•    Pass a driver’s test
•    Pass a vision test

While practice driving, a licensed parent or guardian must accompany teens at all times. Under the conditions of the Youth Operator License, teens cannot carry more than one passenger under the age of 25 (other than family members, unless supervised by a licensed parent or guardian. In addition, YOP holders cannot drive unaccompanied between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Once the teen has held the YOP for 13 months, the nighttime driving restrictions will be lifted. If the teen reaches 18 first, the nighttime restrictions will be lifted on the morning of the teens 18th birthday. Passenger restrictions are lifted after 6 months or at 18 years of age.

If a teen license holder violates any of the conditions of the YOP, the process will be delayed, meaning, you will have to wait longer to obtain full licensure.

To apply for your Youth Operator License, you must provide:

•    Social security number
•    Original birth certificate
•    A licensing certificate
•    Signed authorization from parent or legal guardian
•    River log
•    Pay the $50 driver license fee

It is important to note that there are 16 driver licensing facilities or “substations” located throughout the state of New Hampshire. Not all substations have the same operating hours and not all stations are open every day. It’s best to contact the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles to inquire about hours. The toll-free number is 1-800-735-2964.

New Hampshire Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

The state of New Hampshire currently has a partial ban on cell phone use while driving. If you are involved in a traffic accident while using a cell phone, you are subject to fines and/or license suspension. While there are currently no real limits on cell phone use while driving, all drivers, especially beginners and teens, should use common sense when it comes to talking on a cell phone while driving. Pull over to a safe place if you must make or take a call.

Text messaging while driving in the state of New Hampshire will be against the law beginning January 1, 2010. The ban was signed into law July 31, 2009. House Bill 34 and House Bill 294 prohibit text messaging and any other use of two hands for typing on an electronic device while driving. The new law states: “A person operating a moving motor vehicle who writes a text message or uses 2 hands to type on or operate an electronic or telecommunications device, is guilty of a violation.” That offense brings a fine of $100.

New Hampshire Teen DUI Laws

In the state of New Hampshire, it is a crime for a teen to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher. This means that New Hampshire has a zero tolerance policy for teen that drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, several penalties may apply separately or simultaneously. Your license may be suspended; you may have to attend an impaired driver intervention program at your own expense, and you may even have to submit to random chemical tests. Fines for a first DUI offense could total up to $500.

New Hampshire Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

In the state of New Hampshire, mandatory auto insurance is not the law. Unfortunately, driving without auto insurance, whether it is legal or not, puts your financial and physical health at risk. And, because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during a teen’s first year behind the wheel, New Hampshire auto insurance companies recommend purchasing an auto insurance policy, plus higher amounts than the recommended limits.

The recommended minimum auto liability coverages in the state of New Hampshire are $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury liability, $25,000 property damage liability, and $25,000/$50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury. If you have an existing auto insurance policy and you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year - or an average of $2,171 a year.

Note: New Hampshire is one of the few states that does not have a mandatory auto insurance law for all. In the state of New Hampshire, you will be required to carry minimum liability insurance if you have been convicted of a DWI or if you have accumulated a certain number of DMV Demerit Points. Either violation will activate the minimum auto liability requirement.