New Hampshire Hardship License & SR-22 Insurance
New Hampshire requires 25/50/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.
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New Hampshire at a Glance
25/50/25
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
At-fault
The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause
Required
PIP and Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy
$100
State license reinstatement fee
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in New Hampshire
New Hampshire operates under a tort-based liability system and requires proof of financial responsibility after certain violations. The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles mandates SR-22 filing for drivers convicted of DUI, multiple at-fault accidents, driving without insurance, or accumulating excessive points. Filing must remain active for the full period ordered by the court or DMV, typically 3 years, with any lapse triggering automatic license suspension.
Liability Insurance
SR-22 Filing
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Collision Coverage
Comprehensive Coverage
What Drivers Pay in New Hampshire
$100–$231/mo
Typical monthly rate in New Hampshire, high-risk drivers after a DUI
Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026
What Affects Your Rate
- Filing duration: New Hampshire requires 3-year SR-22 filing for DUI and habitual offender cases, meaning you pay elevated premiums for the full 36 months.
Get Insured for the Drive to Work
Keep Driving to WorkIf your license is suspended
Limited Driving Privilege (limited privilege license, RSA 263:57-b)
A restricted license is available while suspended.
A coverage lapse is reported
The state can act when your insurance lapses.
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Hampshire SR-22 filing transfer to another state if I move?
No, SR-22 filing is state-specific and does not transfer automatically. If you move out of New Hampshire before your 3-year filing period ends, you must notify the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles and determine whether your new state requires equivalent proof of financial responsibility. Some states accept SR-22; others require FR-44 or alternate filing, and gaps in coverage will extend your original suspension.
How long does SR-22 filing last in New Hampshire?
The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles requires SR-22 filing for 3 years after DUI convictions, uninsured accidents, or habitual offender suspensions. The 3-year period starts from your conviction or suspension date, not from the date you file SR-22. Any lapse in coverage during those 36 months resets the clock and triggers immediate license suspension.
Can I drive to the grocery store with a New Hampshire hardship license?
Only if the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles explicitly approved grocery shopping as an allowed purpose when they issued your hardship license. Most hardship licenses restrict driving to work, medical appointments, court-ordered obligations, and DUI program attendance. Driving outside approved hours or routes violates your hardship license conditions and triggers revocation plus extension of your underlying suspension.
Coverage Types
Hardship License Insurance
Covers approved driving under a New Hampshire hardship license, which allows work, medical, and court travel during suspension. Requires SR-22 filing and proof of employment or medical necessity submitted to the DMV.
SR-22 Insurance
Proves you carry continuous liability insurance to the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles. Filed electronically by your carrier, monitored continuously, and any lapse triggers immediate suspension.
Non-Owner SR-22
Liability-only policy for drivers who need SR-22 filing but do not own a vehicle. Covers you when driving borrowed or rental vehicles. Does not cover damage to the vehicle you are driving.
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
Coverage for drivers classified as high-risk due to DUI, violations, or lapses. Written by specialty carriers willing to accept elevated risk in exchange for higher premiums.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Pays your medical bills and vehicle damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Optional in New Hampshire but critical given the state's uninsured driver rate.
Full Coverage
Combines liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage. Not a legal term but a common industry phrase for a policy that covers both your liability and your own vehicle damage.