The statutes that control New Hampshire DUI cases
DUI in New Hampshire is defined by N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265-A:2, and the chemical-testing rules sit in N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265-A:4. Both are published in the official state code at gencourt.state.nh.us, which is the only version that governs — summaries elsewhere, including ours, can lag amendments.
Statutory text, definitions, BAC thresholds and sentencing ranges.
What refusing a breath, blood or urine test costs you.
Statute at a glance
New Hampshire DUI law at a glance
Sourced from the New Hampshire code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.
- Offense name
- DUI (New Hampshire)
- Controlling statute
- N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265-A:2
- Implied consent
- N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265-A:4
- Per se BAC limit
- 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
- Licence hearing deadline
- 30 days after arrest
- Prior-offense lookback
- 10 years
- First-offense fine
- $500–$1,000
- Licence suspension
- 9 months
- Ignition interlock
- Not automatic on a first offense
- Trial court
- the Circuit Court, District Division
- High-risk filing
- SR-22 for 3 years
A first offense carries a fine and a suspension usually measured in months, not weeks.
First-offense exposure under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265-A:2: $500–$1,000, and a 9 months licence suspension. A first offense carries a fine and a suspension usually measured in months, not weeks.
What N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265-A:2 actually says
- RSA 265-A:2, I — no person shall drive or attempt to drive a vehicle on any way while under the influence of drugs or liquor.
- RSA 265-A:2 — driving with an excess alcohol concentration is a separate route to the same offense.
- RSA 265-A:30 — administrative suspension applies on refusal or an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, and 0.02 for drivers under 21.
- RSA 265-A:26 — revocation of the licence on a DWI conviction, and the right of appeal.
Charging documents cite the exact subsection, so check which one appears on your citation. The posted text on gencourt.state.nh.us carries an effective date — amendments passed after it are not yet reflected.
New Hampshire ZIP codes covered
These New Hampshire ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these New Hampshire resources
Counties
Other New Hampshire official resources
Frequently asked questions
- What statute defines DUI in New Hampshire?
- N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265-A:2 is the controlling DUI statute in New Hampshire. You can read the current text on the official code site at gencourt.state.nh.us.
- What is the New Hampshire implied-consent law?
- N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265-A:4 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful DUI arrest.