New Hampshire
Vehicle Resource Center
Successful vehicle owners in New Hampshire must regularly renew their registrations, maintain their driver's licenses, obtain proper insurance, and more. Meeting these requirements and more is a duty owners should learn to understand properly.
Ownership and Maintenance
Maintaining a New Hampshire vehicle successfully means keeping it registered, maintaining proper insurance coverage, and meeting the other regular requirements as imposed by the New Hampshire government.
All New Hampshire vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspections successfully. The inspections must be carried out at a licensed Inspection Station. These stations are at some local mechanics and at official state inspection stations.
Inspections must be completed by the vehicle owner's birth date each year. Inspection reminders are sent out annually, and having a vehicle inspected is as simple as bringing it to an inspection station and paying the fee. If the vehicle fails, the issue must be repaired before it's reinspected.
There is no requirement to hold insurance as a vehicle owner in New Hampshire. Vehicle owners who are able to prove they can afford to pay for any potential damages after an accident are free to avoid paying for insurance.
The Recommended Insurance
While insurance is not required in New Hampshire, it's recommended that all vehicle owners hold liability insurance. According to state law, any owners with a liability insurance policy must also have medical coverage insurance of at least $1,000 and uninsured motorist protection.
Recommended Liability Insurance Minimums
A liability insurance policy in New Hampshire should offer at least the following:
Drivers can protect themselves against accident expenses further by obtaining liability insurance with greater coverage amounts. Drivers are also advised to obtain collision insurance to cover their own vehicles in an accident.
Learn more about the state's insurance recommendations by reading through the New Hampshire Insurance Auto Guide.
Pay Permit Fees To the City Clerk or Tax Collector
Vehicle owners must visit the tax collector or clerk in their city to pay any permit fees due for their vehicle. These fees vary by the vehicle and its location, which is why the city must handle the permit payment.
Pay the Registration Fees
Most residents simply opt to pay their registration fees to their city clerk or tax collector while paying their permit fees. Where the city official does not accept registration fees they can be paid separately at a NH DMV location. By providing the renewal notice or simple license plate and VIN numbers, the owner can have the official look up the vehicle and pay the registration fees in person.
In New Hampshire, driver's licenses are typically good for five years. When the license is about to expire, the driver should receive a renewal notice in the mail. That notice provides all the information to go through the renewal process. Drivers should look on the notice for a Renewal Identification Number. If a RIN is present, the driver can renew online.
Online Renewal
Drivers who have an RIN provided by their license renewal notice can head to the online renewal tool to provide the requested information and pay the fee to renew their license rapidly. It's important to note that online renewals retain the same home address and photo on the license.
In-Person Renewal
Drivers renewing their registration in person should fill out an Application for Driver License form. Having a finished form streamlines the renewal process in person.
Drivers should bring their driver's license as well as any additional documents they may need to prove their residency or current insurance coverage. REAL ID applicants must bring additional documentation to complete the renewal process.
With the proper documentation and the renewal notice, drivers can visit a local NH DMV and take a vision test, take a new photo, and pay the renewal fee to successfully renew their license.
Obtain a REAL ID
A REAL ID is a superior form of identification that is functional for flights within the United States as well as entry into most government facilities.
To obtain a REAL ID, residents must show proof of their identity, Social Security Number, and their New Hampshire residence. For a list of acceptable documents, see this government REAL ID documents guide.
Find out all about the renewal process via the government's official guide.
Driver's License Renewal
A standard driver's license renewal is $50, and a REAL ID is $60 to renew. For more information about different license renewal fees, see the government's fee schedule.
Safety and Emissions Inspection
New Hampshire inspections cost between $20 and $50 on average, and the state does not regulate the cost of inspections.
Buying & Selling
When buying or selling a vehicle in New Hampshire, the individuals involved must be careful to follow the outlined state procedures to create a legally binding transaction. When the buyer and seller understand the required steps, an automotive sale will go smoothly.
Remove the License Plates
The first step any seller should take is to remove the license plates from the vehicle and submit them to a New Hampshire DMV office. Submitting plates serves as a notice that the vehicle is no longer on the road or in use by the seller.
Provide a Lien-Free Certificate of Title
A vehicle should not be sold in New Hampshire without a Certificate of Title that's free of any liens. The title must be properly filled out by the seller and the buyer during the transaction and then given to the buyer as proof of the transaction. The seller may want to consider obtaining a Bill of Sale as proof of the transaction as well, but it is not required.
Cancel Automotive Insurance
If the seller has an active auto insurance policy on the vehicle, it makes sense to cancel the policy after the vehicle is turned over to the buyer and the license plates are returned to the DMV.
Research the Vehicle
Any buyer considering a vehicle should research the vehicle and verify it's a worthwhile purchase. The simplest way to start the research process is by investing in a VIN Check or License Plate lookup from GoodCar. These simple services offer a comprehensive look at owner history, specifications and features, open recalls, accident history, title brands, odometer readings, and more.
Obtain an Official Certificate of Title
Always verify the seller is providing the original certificate of title, that the title has no liens, and that it matches the VIN. If the title is valid, the seller should fill out all the required information on the back of the title to finalize the vehicle transaction. The title is the most important document the buyer must obtain, and it is required when registering the vehicle.
Consider Insuring the Vehicle
While it isn't necessary to hold auto insurance on a vehicle in New Hampshire, it's highly advisable. All buyers should obtain liability insurance, uninsured motorist insurance, and medical protection to safeguard themselves against future accident liabilities. It's best to obtain a high-quality insurance policy before ever driving the vehicle, if possible.
Register and Title the Vehicle
The buyer must travel to their local city clerk, provide proof of residency, and show the properly filled-out certificate of title. With these documents and proper identification, the buyer can pay the associated fees to title and register the vehicle.
There are several fees the buyer must pay when titling and registering the purchased vehicle, but it's important to note that New Hampshire does not collect sales taxes on vehicle purchases, making it considerably more affordable to buy used cars in the state. Buyers will pay an $8.00 plate fee, a $25 certificate of registration fee, and some other small miscellaneous fees. They are also responsible for paying city permit fees, which are like use taxes for the vehicle based on the age of the vehicle and its original retail value. Once all these fees are paid, the vehicle will be titled and registered.
Laws and Regulations
New Hampshire maintains strict laws governing its roadways and how drivers interact with them. Drivers must understand the state's driving laws to remain safe and compliant while driving in the state.
New Hampshire has unique seat belt laws that are significantly different from the laws in most other states. While many states legally require everyone to buckle up, New Hampshire laws only require minors under 18 to buckle. Any driver caught with a minor who isn't properly buckled or placed in a child safety seat will face a minimum fine of $50 per child and may face more serious fines depending on the age of the child and the situation.
Properly Securing Children Ages 6 and Under
While most experts recommend children be properly restrained in a car seat or booster seat until they reach 4'9" in height, children must be restrained in a car seat or booster seat until they reach the age of 7 in New Hampshire.
Infants must be placed in a rear-facing car seat when they first ride in a vehicle, and they should remain in the rear-facing position until they surpass 20 pounds or when they outgrow the measurements listed on the seat itself.
Children who outgrow a rear-facing car seat can be upgraded to a forward-facing seat. This is good until about 40 or 50 pounds for most children, but adults should rely on the seat's specifications to determine when it's time to graduate a child to a booster seat.
Children must remain in a booster seat until they are at least seven years old by law, and they should remain in the seat until they reach a height of 4'9" for optimal safety.
All drivers in New Hampshire are expected to understand and follow the DWI (driving while intoxicated) laws. These laws state that a driver must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while driving a motor vehicle. The state outlines specific limits to alcohol use and explains when a driver will be charged with a DWI.
DWI Alcohol Limits
Drivers who are suspected of being drunk can be given a breathalyzer exam, and many drivers who get into accidents are given blood tests to measure the alcohol and other drugs in their system. The concentration of alcohol in a person's blood volume is represented by a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) after a test is given. All the legal alcohol limits are represented by BAC values.
Any drivers who are tested as exceeding the legal BAC limit for their age will be charged with a DWI. Drivers who are given a DWI charge will have their licenses suspended, be assessed a fine, and may be placed in jail depending on the severity of the crime and whether it is a first-time offense or not.
Get the complete data on the New Hampshire DWI guidelines in this legal guide.
New Hampshire has a clear Lemon Law that protects consumers against faulty new vehicle purchases. Under the law, buyers have the right to a vehicle that's free of any significant defects that would hinder the safe operation or significantly reduce the value of the vehicle.
The Lemon Law only applies to personal-use vehicles, but when applied properly, it helps ensure that manufacturers repair faulty vehicles. If the vehicle isn't functioning properly, the buyer can send a certified letter informing the manufacturer, and the company must make the necessary repairs to fix a qualifying defect.
When is it a Lemon?
Vehicles are lemons when the manufacturer attempts and fails to fix an issue three or more times or when the vehicle is in the shop for repairs for at least 30 days. If either condition is met, the buyer has a legal case against the manufacturer. The company is expected to replace the vehicle or refund the buyer's money.
All the details about the state's Lemon Law are covered under the New Hampshire Department of Justice site.
Useful Things to Know
New Hampshire residents can benefit from these additional driving resources:
Find EV Charging Stations: All electric vehicle owners should learn how to promptly find public charging stations. This search tool simplifies the search process in the state: New Hampshire EV Charging Station Locator
New Hampshire Car Crash Trends: New Hampshire is one of the safest states to drive in, according to the 2021 crash statistics provided by the IIHS. There were 118 fatalities out of 106 accidents in 2021, and the state had 0.9 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, putting the state in the top five safest throughout the country. Get the full story with New Hampshire car accident statistics from GoodCar.
See DMV Forms: See all the state's DMV forms in one location for easy reference: NH DMV Forms
Locate a New Hampshire DMV: Some driver services must be completed at a local New Hampshire DMV. Use this directory to find nearby offices: New Hampshire DMV Location Directory
Get the Latest New Hampshire Vehicle Information with GoodCar
New Hampshire vehicle owners owe it to themselves to have the most up-to-date information about state laws, maintenance requirements, recalls, and more. Refer to this useful resource for residents looking for help and GoodCar's VIN and license plate lookup tools for help getting additional information about specific vehicles.