Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is the only state in the US that doesn't require drivers to carry auto insurance — unless you've beenconvicted of certain driving offenses. If you're required to have insurance and caught without it, you'll lose your driving privileges and pay a fee to get them reinstated. So, although insurance isn't usually the law of the land, it's smart to purchase liability coverage and keep proof of it handy in your vehicle at all times.
Consequences of driving uninsured in New Hampshire
If you cause an accident while driving uninsured, the state may suspend your driver's license and vehicle registration until you've paid for any damage and filed an SR-22 form. This form acts as proof you've purchased car insurance. The most basic policy you can buy in New Hampshire has the following coverages:
- $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
The accident must also be reported to the Bureau of Financial Responsibility in an accident report. You'll receive a notice about your suspension, along with an explanation of how to get your driving privileges reinstated. If you're at fault for the collision and the other party decides to sue, then your suspension will last until you pay for the damages. This might mean compensating the other party up to the same amounts as a basic auto insurance policy would cover.
Here's what you can expect if you're caught driving without insurance in New Hampshire:
Type of penalty | Driving without insurance in an accident |
|---|---|
| Driving privileges suspension | License plate, vehicle registration, and driver's license suspended until judgment and requirements fulfilled. |
| License/operation privileges reinstatement fee | $100 |
| Registration restoration fee | $25 |
| SR-22 | Maintained for 3 years |
Contesting your suspension
You can appeal the suspension by requesting an administrative hearing within 10 days of the accident report. To prepare for the trial, you may need to purchase these documents from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles:
- Driver report record: $15
- Copy of your crash report: $5 for the first five pages and $1 for each additional page
Get car insurance in New Hampshire after a lapse in coverage
Reinstating your driving privileges
After satisfying the judgment, you can begin the process of reinstating your license and registration by getting a valid insurance policy and asking your insurer to file an SR-22 form. You must submit proof of insurance to the court, along with receipts for your paid reinstatement fees, which include a $100 license/operation privileges fee and a $25 registration privilege restoration fee.
You are expected to maintain your SR-22 filing for three years, provided you don't get caught with any traffic violations within that period. But if you don't restore your driving privileges within three years after your suspension has passed, you'll need to retake the driver's license exam when you do want your license reinstated.
Applying for auto insurance in New Hampshire
An accident can happen anytime, and dealing with the aftermath is easier when you have a car insurance policy — even when it's not required by law. If insurance carriers are turning you down because of a poor driving history, then check out the New Hampshire Automobile Reinsurance Facility. They help high-risk drivers find auto insurance policies.
Sources:
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.