SR-22 in New Hampshire

Checked against official New Hampshire sources · Last reviewed October 5, 2026

After certain convictions, such as DUI, or a crash while uninsured, New Hampshire can suspend your license until you file proof of financial responsibility and keep it in place. One way to give that proof is a certificate from an insurance or surety company.

Under state law, the requirement lasts at least 3 years from the conviction or crash that triggered it. [1][2][5]

Uses SR-22?: Yes (insurer certificate)
How long: 3 years [2]
After a DUI: 3 years [2]
Base reinstatement fee: $100 [3]
Minimum liability coverage: 25/50/25 [4]

Does New Hampshire require an SR-22?

Yes, after certain offenses and uninsured crashes. After a conviction such as DUI, or a crash while uninsured, the state can suspend your license until you file proof of financial responsibility and keep it in place. [1]

How long do you need an SR-22 in New Hampshire?

At least 3 years. The DMV may waive the requirement any time after 3 years from the date of the crash or conviction that required it, if no further convictions, crashes, or unpaid judgments have been recorded. [2]

After a DUI

At least 3 years from the DUI conviction (the general 3-year waiver rule applies; no separate DUI period was found in statute) [2]

What does reinstatement cost?

$100 license restoration fee ($50 for suspensions under RSA 263:14) [3]

We couldn't confirm whether New Hampshire charges its own fee to file an SR-22. Your insurer may charge one.

What coverage do you need?

$25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, $25,000 property damage. Policies on NH private passenger vehicles must also include at least $1,000 of medical payments coverage. [4]

What happens if your SR-22 lapses?

The law lets the DMV suspend your license and registrations "unless and until" you give "and thereafter maintain" proof of financial responsibility. A continuous certificate stays in effect for at least 20 days after the DMV receives the cancellation notice. [1]

Don't own a car?

We haven't confirmed this from an official New Hampshire source yet. Check with the New Hampshire driver licensing agency.

Who has to file one?

Convictions for DUI; failing to stop and report after a crash; homicide or assault arising from driving; a second excessive-speed conviction; a second reckless-driving conviction; a reported crash while uninsured; or an unpaid judgment from a crash [1]

Who handles it

We haven't confirmed this from an official New Hampshire source yet. Check with the New Hampshire driver licensing agency.

Common questions

Which offenses require proof of financial responsibility?

State law lists a DUI conviction, failing to stop and report after a crash, homicide or assault arising from driving, a second excessive-speed conviction, and a second reckless-driving conviction. Out-of-state convictions count too. [1]

I had a crash without insurance. What happens?

After a reportable crash, the driver and owner can be suspended unless they had a liability policy or bond in force. The suspension lasts until you post security for any judgment and give, and keep, proof of financial responsibility. An unpaid judgment from a crash also leads to suspension until it's paid. [1][6]

When can I stop filing proof?

State law lets the DMV waive the requirement any time after 3 years from the date of the crash or conviction that required it. That only applies if no new convictions, crashes, bail forfeitures, or unpaid judgments have been recorded. The waiver isn't automatic; the law says the DMV "may" waive it. [2]

How much does it cost to get my license back?

The license restoration fee is $100, or $50 for some suspensions. After a court suspension ends, your license is restored only if no other suspension, such as a financial responsibility suspension, is still in effect. [3][7]

What happens if my certificate is cancelled?

The law requires you to give proof and keep it in place, so your license and registrations can be suspended if it lapses. A continuous certificate stays in effect for at least 20 days after the DMV receives the cancellation notice. [1][5]

How much coverage do I need, and are there other options?

The minimum is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. Policies on New Hampshire private passenger vehicles must also include at least $1,000 of medical payments coverage. Instead of an insurer's certificate, the law also allows a deposit of money or securities. [4][5][8]

Sources

NH RSA 264:2 - Proof Required Upon Conviction for Motor Vehicle Law Violations (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
NH RSA 264:7 - Suspensions (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
NH RSA 263:42 - Driver's License Fees (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
NH RSA 264:20 - Amount of Proof of Financial Responsibility (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
NH RSA 264:21 - Methods of Giving Proof of Financial Responsibility (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
NH RSA 264:3 - When Proof Required After Report of Accident (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
NH RSA 263:71 - License Restored Upon Expiration of Revocation Period (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
NH RSA 264:16 - Medical Payments (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)