How to get your license back after a DUI in New Hampshire
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the revocation period imposed by the court
Saf-C 7503.04(a) makes expiration of the court-imposed revocation the first requirement for restoration after a conviction under RSA 265-A:2 or 265-A:3. Under RSA 265-A:18, I(a)(6)(A) a first offense carries a revocation of not less than 9 months (extendable to 2 years), of which the court may suspend up to 6 months.
What the source says
“shall have such license or privilege restored upon meeting the following requirements: (a) The period of revocation imposed by the court has expired;”
- 2
Surrender the revoked license and file a license application if required
Saf-C 7503.04(b) requires that any revoked license has been physically surrendered to the Division, or that the person notified the Department it was lost or stolen; Saf-C 7503.04(c) requires a license application and fee if the revoked New Hampshire license expired or the person is a new resident.
What the source says
“(b) Any revoked license has been physically surrendered to the division as required, or the person has notified the department that the license was lost or stolen; (c) A license application and fee are filed with the division if the revoked New Hampshire license expired”
- 3
Pay the $100 restoration fee
Saf-C 7503.04(d) requires payment of the fee under RSA 263:42, V. The NH DMV's Suspension and Restoration page lists the restoration fee for a license/operating privilege as $100 and states reinstatement fees may be paid by calling the credit card payment line, through the drop box at the Concord DMV (check only), or by appointment at the Concord DMV.
What the source says
“Restoration/Reinstatement Fees License/Operating Privilege $100 Commercial Driver License/Operating Privilege $100 Original/Youth Operator/License $50”
- 4
Pay all court fines, clear defaults and comply with court-imposed requirements
Saf-C 7503.04(e) requires that all court fines have been paid and defaults cleared, and Saf-C 7503.04(h) requires compliance with all requirements imposed by the court in conjunction with its findings, including driver certification or professional counseling.
What the source says
“(e) All court fines have been paid and defaults cleared; (f) The persons file reflects documentation of successful completion of an approved alcohol education program; (g) A negative alcohol evaluation report pursuant to Saf-C 1016.02 is on file;”
- 5
Complete the approved impaired driver education program and IDCMP screening or evaluation
Saf-C 7503.04(f) and (g) require documentation of successful completion of an approved alcohol education program and a negative alcohol evaluation report on file. RSA 265-A:42, I bars the Director from restoring a license revoked under RSA 265-A:2, I or 265-A:3 unless, within the past 5 years, the person completed a DHHS-approved impaired driver education program, an alcohol and drug abuse screening and, if indicated, a substance use disorder evaluation, complied with the IDCMP service plan, furnished proof of completion and paid all program fees. The DMV states IDCMPs are approved by the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services.
What the source says
“shall not restore the license or driving privilege of any person whose license or privilege has been revoked or suspended pursuant to RSA 265-A:2, I or 265-A:3 if the person has not, within the past 5 years, completed a department of health and human services approved impaired driver education”
- 6
Have an SR-22 certificate on file
Saf-C 7503.04(i) requires proof of financial responsibility in the form of an SR-22 certificate on file. Under Saf-C 7504.12(a) the filing requirement ends 3 years from the final conviction or administrative action, and under Saf-C 7504.12(c) a person convicted of a second or subsequent DWI files proof for 3 years from the date of eligibility for restoration.
What the source says
“(i) Proof of financial responsibility in the form of an SR-22 certificate is on file; and (j) There are no other revocations or suspensions in effect under any other statute, rule, or regulation including reciprocity agreements and requirements.”
- 7
Clear any other revocations or suspensions
Saf-C 7503.04(j) requires that no other revocations or suspensions are in effect under any other statute, rule or regulation, including reciprocity agreements.
What the source says
“(j) There are no other revocations or suspensions in effect under any other statute, rule, or regulation including reciprocity agreements and requirements.”
- 8
If an interlock was ordered, submit the certificate of installation and add the IID restriction
RSA 265-A:36, I makes a certificate proving installation of the device a condition precedent to reinstatement for persons ordered to install an interlock (aggravated or subsequent DWI). The NH DMV states the service center provides a Certificate of Installation that the individual (not the provider) must present to the Bureau of Financial Responsibility, that the interlock time counts only once operating privileges are completely restored, and that the driver must then have an IID restriction added to the license by filing a DSMV 450 replacement application.
What the source says
“Once the device has been installed, the service center will provide you with a Certificate of Installation. Please present the signed/initialed installation certificate to the NH DMV as proof of installation (pursuant to Saf-C 6504.01(a) and Saf-C 6507.01).”
Official reinstatement page: New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $100 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes · 3 years — details |
| Ignition interlock | New Hampshire interlock rule |
| Required program | Impaired Driver Care Management Program (IDCMP) and Impaired Driver Education Program |
| Driving during the suspension | Limited driving privilege (limited privilege license, RSA 263:57-b) |
Required program: Impaired Driver Care Management Program (IDCMP) and Impaired Driver Education Program
RSA 265-A:42 requires, before restoration after a conviction under RSA 265-A:2, I or 265-A:3, completion within the past 5 years of a DHHS-approved impaired driver education program, an alcohol and drug abuse screening and, if indicated, a substance use disorder evaluation, compliance with the IDCMP service plan, proof of completion and payment of program fees. RSA 265-A:39, II sets the education program at a minimum of 20 hours of evidence-based curriculum; RSA 265-A:40 has the IDCMP screen first-time offenders, conduct evaluations, develop and monitor a service plan, and notify the client, the DMV and the court when requirements are met (with a new screening and course if restoration is sought more than 5 years after completion). The NH DMV states IDCMPs are approved by the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services.
“NH RSA 265-A:18 requires that individuals convicted of impaired driving/boating offenses attend and participate in a New Hampshire approved Impaired Driver Care Management Program (IDCMP). IDCMP's are approved by the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services.”
Driving during the suspension: Limited driving privilege (limited privilege license, RSA 263:57-b)
RSA 263:57-b allows a person convicted of a first offense under RSA 265-A:2, I (not involving a commercial motor vehicle) to petition the court for limited driving privileges, submitting proof of financial responsibility under RSA 265-A:28 and evidence of need (employment, seeking employment, treatment program, medical treatment, education or job training). The license is limited to stated times, places and days and to vehicles equipped with enhanced technology ignition interlock devices; it is not effective until the license has been suspended or revoked for at least 45 days, expires on the date set by the court not exceeding the suspension period, must be applied for and issued by the DMV, and the holder agrees to the ignition interlock program for the duration of the limited privilege and one year following full restoration.
“III. A license issued under this section shall not be effective until the person's driver's license has been suspended or revoked, either pursuant to criminal penalty or administrative suspension, for at least 45 days and shall expire on the date specified by the court”
When the interlock can be removed
Removal is authorized by the DMV Bureau of Financial Responsibility after the ordered period has run. RSA 265-A:36, I sets the mandatory term (aggravated or subsequent DWI) at not less than 12 months nor more than 2 years after the revocation, and the DMV states the time counted toward the order begins only once operating privileges are completely restored. The DMV's removal process: on reaching the eligible date the user submits a removal request to the Bureau of Financial Responsibility; within 3-5 business days the Division reviews the record under Saf-C 6511.02 for (1) expiration of the order, including any extensions, (2) no pending court or administrative hearings on alleged violations and (3) no alleged violations awaiting a hearing; if violations are found the request goes to the Bureau of Hearings for a possible extension hearing; if eligible, the Ignition Interlock Program Coordinator advises how to obtain an unrestricted license and a certificate of removal. Removing the device without DMV authorization is a violation (Saf-C 6511.05); RSA 265-A:37, III-a lets the Department, after a hearing, add up to one year per occurrence for start attempts or retests above .025 or missed retests (action within 60 days after removal), and the DMV states operating a vehicle without a device may bring a 24-month extension. No early-removal provision and no removal fee cap are stated.
Compliance period: none stated as a violation-free window; the expiration date of the order (12 months to 2 years for mandatory orders) including any extensions must have elapsed, with no pending or unscheduled violation hearings (Saf-C 6511.02 as described by NH DMV)
“The expiration date of the ignition interlock order, as required by the court or department, including any extensions of time has elapsed. The user does not have any court or administrative hearings pending regarding an allegation of having committed one or more ignition interlock device violations.”
Questions about reinstatement in New Hampshire
- What does New Hampshire require to restore a license revoked for DWI?
- Saf-C 7503.04 lists the requirements: the court-imposed revocation has expired; the revoked license was surrendered (or reported lost); a license application and fee if the license expired or the person is a new resident; the $100 fee under RSA 263:42, V; court fines paid and defaults cleared; documented completion of an approved alcohol education program; a negative alcohol evaluation report on file; compliance with court requirements; an SR-22 certificate on file; and no other suspensions or revocations in effect.
- How is an ignition interlock device removed in New Hampshire?
- The NH DMV states that on reaching the eligible date the user submits a removal request to the Bureau of Financial Responsibility, which reviews the record within 3-5 business days under Saf-C 6511.02 to confirm the order's expiration date (including extensions) has elapsed and no violation hearings are pending; if eligible, the Ignition Interlock Program Coordinator explains how to obtain an unrestricted license and a certificate of removal. Removing the device without DMV authorization is a violation.
- Is there a hardship license after a first DWI in New Hampshire?
- RSA 263:57-b allows a person convicted of a first offense under RSA 265-A:2, I to petition the court for limited driving privileges on proof of financial responsibility and need (employment, treatment, medical care or education). The privilege is limited to stated times and places and to vehicles with enhanced technology ignition interlock devices, cannot take effect until at least 45 days of suspension have run, and requires the interlock program for its duration plus one year after full restoration.
Sources
- NH DMV – Suspension and Restoration (restoration fees; how to pay; live page blocks automated access; read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-07-07)
- Internet Archive capture (2026-07-07 19:49:44 UTC) of the NH DMV Suspension and Restoration page actually used
- NH DMV – Ignition Interlock Program (installation certificate, license restriction, violations, removal process; live page blocks automated access)
- Internet Archive capture (2026-07-07 19:49:33 UTC) of the NH DMV Ignition Interlock Program page actually used (research/raw/nh_iid_wayback_20260707.html)
- NH DMV – Impaired Driver Intervention Programs (IDCMP approval by DHHS; live page blocks automated access)
- Internet Archive capture (2026-07-07 19:49:34 UTC) of the NH DMV Impaired Driver Intervention Programs page actually used
- NH DMV – Pay a Restoration Fee (payment methods; Internet Archive capture 2026-07-07)
- NH General Court – Administrative Rules Chapter Saf-C 7500 (Saf-C 7503.04 Restoration: Influence of Alcohol or Drugs; Saf-C 7504.12 SR-22 duration) – fetched live 2026-08-28
- NH General Court – RSA 265-A:42 Attendance at Impaired Driver Education Course Required
- NH General Court – RSA 265-A:39 Impaired Driver Education Programs (20-hour minimum; DHHS approval)
- NH General Court – RSA 265-A:40 Impaired Driver Care Management Programs
- NH General Court – RSA 265-A:36 Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program Established (12 months to 2 years; installation certificate as condition precedent)
- NH General Court – RSA 265-A:37 Alcohol Ignition Interlock Circumvention (III-a extension up to one year per occurrence)
- NH General Court – RSA 265-A:38 Violating Interlock Order (suspension up to 12 months after hearing)
- NH General Court – RSA 263:57-b Limited Driving Privilege After Revocation or Suspension
- NH General Court – RSA 265-A:18 Penalties (first-offense revocation; reused from the verified state record)