Is an ignition interlock required after a first DWI in New Hampshire?

Not automatically. Under RSA 265-A:18, I(a)(6)(A), a first offender's license is revoked for at least 9 months; the court may suspend up to 6 months of that period and may, in its discretion, require an interlock device under RSA 265-A:36 during the period of sentence reduction. Aggravated DWI convictions under RSA 265-A:18, I(b) or I(c) require an interlock order.

How long is the interlock period for repeat or aggravated DWI offenders?

RSA 265-A:36, I provides that a person whose license was revoked for an aggravated DWI under RSA 265-A:18, I(b) or I(c), or a subsequent DWI under RSA 265-A:18, IV, must install an ignition interlock device after the period of revocation for not less than 12 months nor more than 2 years, with installation and monitoring costs paid by the offender.

Does New Hampshire require an SR-22 to restore a license after DWI?

Yes. Saf-C 7503.04 lists 'Proof of financial responsibility in the form of an SR-22 certificate is on file' among the requirements for restoring a license revoked under RSA 265-A:2 or RSA 265-A:3. Under Saf-C 7504.12, the filing requirement generally ends 3 years after the conviction or administrative action; second or subsequent DWI offenders file for 3 years from the date of eligibility for restoration.

What is the license restoration fee in New Hampshire?

RSA 263:42, V provides that whenever a driver's license has been suspended or revoked, a fee of $100 shall be paid by the licensee for the restoration of such license (a $50 fee applies only to suspensions under RSA 263:14).

Who approves interlock devices and service providers in New Hampshire?

RSA 265-A:36, IV makes it a violation to sell or distribute an ignition interlock device in the state without approval by the commissioner of the department of safety, and RSA 265-A:36, V directs the department of safety to adopt rules for the approval of devices and the licensing of approved interlock service providers.

NHVerified against primary sources · August 28, 2026

New Hampshire ignition interlock & DUI requirements

Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in New Hampshire, cited to the statute and the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles.

IID on first offense: At the court's discretion
Minimum IID period (first): At the court's discretion, during any period of sentenc…
SR-22 filing: Required · 3 yr
Reinstatement fee: $100

What New Hampshire law requires

New Hampshire's ignition interlock, SR-22, and reinstatement rules are set by the statute and agency rules cited below. The values in the tables on this page are taken from those sources and are not interpretations of how they apply to any particular case.

Primary source: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 265-A:36

Ignition interlock requirement

Ignition interlock requirements in New Hampshire by offense
Item	New Hampshire rule
IID on first offense	At the court's discretion
Minimum IID period, first offense	At the court's discretion, during any period of sentence reduction (no fixed statutory minimum for a standard first offense)
Minimum IID period, repeat offense	Not less than 12 months nor more than 2 years, after the period of revocation or suspension

For a first (non-aggravated) DWI under RSA 265-A:2, I, the court may suspend up to 6 months of the 9-month-minimum revocation and 'may, in its discretion, require the installation of an interlock device in accordance with RSA 265-A:36 during the period of sentence reduction' (RSA 265-A:18, I(a)(6)(A)). An interlock is mandatory (12 months to 2 years after the revocation) for aggravated DWI under RSA 265-A:18, I(b) or I(c) and for a second or subsequent offense under RSA 265-A:18, IV (RSA 265-A:36, I). New Hampshire does not use a BAC threshold for a standard first offense; aggravated DWI (RSA 265-A:3) is a separate offense.

Approved interlock providers

Vendors listed here appear on the New Hampshire licensing agency's approved-device list. Listing order is alphabetical and is not a ranking or endorsement. Installation locations are on each vendor's own locator.

Official approved-vendor list: New Hampshire agency vendor list

Approved interlock vendors in New Hampshire
Vendor	Website	Location finder
Alcohol Detection Systems	Alcohol Detection Systems website	Find a location
Intoxalock	Intoxalock website	Find a location
LifeSafer	LifeSafer website	Find a location
Roadguard, Inc.	Roadguard, Inc. website	Find a location
Sens-O-Lock of America	Sens-O-Lock of America website	Find a location
Smart Start	Smart Start website	Find a location

SR-22 requirement

An SR-22 is a certificate an insurer files with the state to confirm that a driver carries the liability coverage the state requires. Some states use an FR-44 or a different form for alcohol-related offenses; where New Hampshire does, the sources below say so.

SR-22 requirement in New Hampshire
SR-22 filing required after a DUI	Yes
Filing period	3 years

SR-22 certificate. Saf-C 7503.04 makes an SR-22 on file a condition of restoration after a revocation under RSA 265-A:2 or RSA 265-A:3. Saf-C 7504.12(a) terminates the filing requirement after 3 years from the final conviction or administrative action; Saf-C 7504.12(c) requires a person convicted of DWI second or subsequent offense to file proof for 3 years from the date of eligibility for restoration.

Program costs

Fees set by the state are cited to the fee schedule. Vendor charges vary by vendor and are shown as published ranges with the month they were checked.

Post-DUI program costs in New Hampshire
Item	Amount	As of
License reinstatement fee	$100	2026-08-28
License restoration fee after suspension or revocation (RSA 263:42, V)	$100	2026-08
Interlock installation and monitoring costs (RSA 265-A:36, I)	Paid by the offender; no state-set price cap found	2026-08
Fee Reduction Program (RSA 265-A:36, VI(e); NH DMV Ignition Interlock Program page): hearing under Saf-C 203 to determine eligibility for a credit toward installation and service costs	Credit of up to 75% of the cost of installation and service	2026-08

Frequently asked questions

Is an ignition interlock required after a first DWI in New Hampshire?: Not automatically. Under RSA 265-A:18, I(a)(6)(A), a first offender's license is revoked for at least 9 months; the court may suspend up to 6 months of that period and may, in its discretion, require an interlock device under RSA 265-A:36 during the period of sentence reduction. Aggravated DWI convictions under RSA 265-A:18, I(b) or I(c) require an interlock order.
How long is the interlock period for repeat or aggravated DWI offenders?: RSA 265-A:36, I provides that a person whose license was revoked for an aggravated DWI under RSA 265-A:18, I(b) or I(c), or a subsequent DWI under RSA 265-A:18, IV, must install an ignition interlock device after the period of revocation for not less than 12 months nor more than 2 years, with installation and monitoring costs paid by the offender.
Does New Hampshire require an SR-22 to restore a license after DWI?: Yes. Saf-C 7503.04 lists 'Proof of financial responsibility in the form of an SR-22 certificate is on file' among the requirements for restoring a license revoked under RSA 265-A:2 or RSA 265-A:3. Under Saf-C 7504.12, the filing requirement generally ends 3 years after the conviction or administrative action; second or subsequent DWI offenders file for 3 years from the date of eligibility for restoration.
What is the license restoration fee in New Hampshire?: RSA 263:42, V provides that whenever a driver's license has been suspended or revoked, a fee of $100 shall be paid by the licensee for the restoration of such license (a $50 fee applies only to suspensions under RSA 263:14).
Who approves interlock devices and service providers in New Hampshire?: RSA 265-A:36, IV makes it a violation to sell or distribute an ignition interlock device in the state without approval by the commissioner of the department of safety, and RSA 265-A:36, V directs the department of safety to adopt rules for the approval of devices and the licensing of approved interlock service providers.