Demerit Points on my Driver's License

Like many other states, New Hampshire has a demerit point system that penalizes driving infractions on a cumulative basis.  Even if the individual violations that you accumulate wouldn’t be enough on their own to cause a license suspension, the sum total of these infractions may cost you your driving privileges for a time.  So you should be careful and follow all of the traffic laws to keep your license in good standing with the state. 

Every driving offense comes with a demerit point value.  The least serious violations, like failing to obtain a New Hampshire drivers’ license or letting your inspection sticker expire, will put one point on your license.  A failure to produce a drivers’ license for a police officer costs two points; speeding, a failure to use due care, or leaving a vehicle abandoned leads to a three-point loss.  Serious crimes involving a motor vehicle, like reckless driving or driving under the influence of intoxicating liquors, impose a six-point penalty.  No individual driving offense, no matter how serious, takes more than six points. 

There about fifty driving offenses in total that can result in demerit point impositions.  Whenever you’ve incurred demerit points, the state will send a notification to your home as a warning about the consequences of further violations.  The state will move to suspend your license for up to three months if you accumulate of twelve points in a twelve-month period; up to six months for eighteen points in a two year period; up to a year for twenty four points in a three-year period.  The penalties are steeper for drivers under 21 and minors.  These suspensions are added to any driving time that may be lost because of the violations themselves, as in the case of a suspended license resulting from a DUI conviction.

The state permits individuals to enroll in a Driver Improvement course to reduce three demerit points for the year as a precaution against license suspension.  It is important to take this course if you think you might lose your license because NH does not permit restricted driving or hardship privileges to people who depend on their vehicle for work.

In sum, KNOW the traffic laws of your state and obey them.  Don’t let accumulating demerit points creep up on you.  Your driving privileges are critical to your quality of life, so be sure to remain in good standing with the DMV in your state.

Articles contained here are not intended to provide legal advice, only providing general information. We encourage individuals to consult with an attorney regarding individual circumstances.