What are New Hampshire Traffic Tickets?

In New Hampshire, road users who violate road traffic laws may be issued a traffic ticket/citation by officials of the New Hampshire Department of Safety. Offenders are typically required to respond to the allegations on the ticket within a specified period. Where the traffic offender does not reply to the traffic ticket on time, they may incur additional fees, suspension of license, or other court sanctions like a bench warrant.

Traffic ticket payments are received by the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles. The Division of Motor Vehicles through the New Hampshire Department of Safety is in charge of maintaining documents related to road usage in New Hampshire. Records pertaining to traffic-related issues within state limits are public record except the court says otherwise.

Records of traffic violations and all other public records may also be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites are a convenient alternative to government-owned resources since they aggregate records across multiple jurisdictions and provide multi-search options for inquirers searching for more than one record. To lookup traffic records using these sites, inquirers may need to provide the following information:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the document or person involved

Since aggregate sites are operated independent of government sources, record availability and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

What Does a Traffic Citation Mean?

A traffic citation is an official notice containing information about an individual’s traffic offenses and consequent order to appear in court. According to New Hampshire Statutes Chapter 261, Chapter 263, Chapter 264, and Chapter 265, traffic offenses that may lead to be issued a citation in New Hampshire include:

• Driving with an expired vehicle registration or without any registration
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Making an illegal u-turn
• Going over the speed limit of 30 miles per hour in an urban or business area and exceeding the limit of 10 miles per hour in a school zone
• Driving without a license or driving with a suspended license
• Reckless driving which might cause a threat to life and property
• Hit and runs

How Do I Pay a Traffic Ticket in New Hampshire?

If a driver admits to being guilty of a traffic offense, they may opt to pay the fine indicated on the traffic ticket. Payment of penalties should be made within 30 days of the ticket’s issuance. Fines can be paid by mail, in-person, phone, or online.

A New Hampshire traffic ticket typically contains information on how to pay the prescribed fines. After following the steps outlined, the evidence of payment should be sent to the New Hampshire Department of Safety. The department’s mailing address is thus:

New Hampshire Department of Safety
DMV FR/PBM
P.O. Box 472
Concord, NH 03302

Individuals who have been issued a traffic ticket in New Hampshire may visit the Division of Motor Vehicles under the New Hampshire Department of Safety to clear the payment. Payments should be addressed to:

Division of Motor Vehicles
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305

New Hampshire traffic violators can also pay fines by calling the New Hampshire Bureau of Financial Responsibility at (800) 272–0036. A debit card or credit card is typically required to pay fees by phone. Payments can also be made online, provided it is done within the 30-day limit. The individual may not be required to show up in court before making the payment.

Can You Pay New Hampshire Traffic Tickets Online?

Yes, New Hampshire traffic tickets or citations can be paid online provided the general requirements are met. To be eligible to pay New Hampshire traffic tickets electronically, the requirement to appear in court should not be specified on the ticket. Violators who opt to pay the ticket are expected to admit guilt or plead guilty and make the payment before the 30 days grace period expires.

How Do I Pay a Ticket Online in New Hampshire?

To pay a ticket online in New Hampshire, visit the Division of Motor Vehicles’ Online Payment System and follow these steps:

• Type in the personal information requested.
• Choose from the range of offenses outlined, and the amount to be paid should be revealed. If there is a disparity between the amount on the ticket and the amount listed presented, contact the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.
• Enter the guilty plea.
• Choose the payment option and enter payment details before hitting submit.

Upon submitting, receipts will typically be sent to the email address provided. If the receipt indicates a ‘confirmation of payment,’ then the payment has been accepted. However, if the receipt states’ declined transaction,’ the payer can try again later. If it persists, make the payment in person at the Division of Motor Vehicles.

What is the New Hampshire Traffic Ticketing System?

New Hampshire uses a uniform point system to classify traffic violations. The points accumulated by a road user equals the length of the suspension, which could be up to a year; this is also relative to the age of the offender. Demerit points also determine if a traffic offender should appear in court. Per Saf-C 212.03, the following are some traffic offenses and their corresponding points:

• One Demerit Point: Failure to renew a driver’s license, obey inspection requirements, and operating a vehicle without having a registration certificate.
• Two Demerit Points: Unregistered vehicle, failure to produce a permit to be inspected by law enforcement officers, disobedience to police officers, and littering.
• Three Demerit Points: Disobedience to traffic control devices, following too closely, driving on a sidewalk, and failure to display plates.
• Four Demerit Points: Speeding, improper passing, negligent driving, and yellow line violation.
• Six Demerit Points: Possession of master keys, manslaughter as a result of driving a vehicle, school bus violation, reckless driving, driving while under the influence of drugs or liquor, and vehicular assault.

In most traffic violation cases, the fines can be paid without appearing in court. However, some violations require that the violator make an appearance in court because of the severity of the offense or recurrence. Offenders may also go to the traffic court to either request a mitigation hearing, get a reduced fine, a monthly payment plan, community service or to contest a ticket. The Circuit Court in the County where the ticket was served is in charge of such cases.

To request a trial, the individual should tick the not guilty box at the back of the ticket and mail it to the ticket’s address. The date and time may then be then fixed and sent back to the requestor. When in court, the traffic violator can present their case after which a decision will be made. The fine may be dismissed if the individual is proven not liable. If proven guilty, the offender pays the prescribed fine, court filing costs, and a license suspension. The New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Motor Vehicle Violations document outlines the state’s traffic violations and the penalties attached.

How Do I Know if I Have a Traffic Ticket in New Hampshire?

To know if you have a traffic ticket in New Hampshire, motorists may obtain their driving history record from state or local law enforcement agencies. Individuals are typically required to complete a record release form to get a driving history record in New Hampshire. When filling the New Hampshire Motor Vehicle Record Release Form, select “driver record” then provide a full name, date of birth, license identification number, mailing address, and phone number. Also include a signature and date on the form. The form should be enclosed along with a payment of $15. However, payment can be completed at any of the Division of Motor Vehicle Offices in the state. The completed form and the proof of payment should be mailed to:

N. H. Dept. of Safety
DMV - F. R. Records
23 Hazen Drive
Concord NH 03305

In New Hampshire, it is possible to receive a copy of a driving history record on behalf of the bearer, but it should be indicated on the request form. When filling the application, the third-party should tick the box that shows the individual has approved the request. In addition, they must provide other details of the bearer such as name, date of birth, and the license identification number. The requestor is also required to put down some personal information, sign, and write the date. However, the record holder can append a signature to acknowledge that the third party can receive the driving history record. The completed form and the appropriate fee of $15 are to be submitted in-person or mailed to the Division of Motor Vehicle office at Concord as that is the only office that processes such requests.

How Can I Find a Lost Traffic Ticket in New Hampshire?

Depending on whether an individual involved recalls details about a traffic ticket or not, there are two options for finding lost tickets in New Hampshire: contacting the traffic court or sending a request to the Bureau of Financial Responsibility.

The traffic offender should visit or call the court that handles traffic violation matters in the jurisdiction where the ticket was received. The driver typically needs to provide information about the location the traffic ticket was issued. A written request can be made to the Bureau of Financial Responsibility if the individual can remember some information on the traffic ticket issued. When writing the request, details to be included include:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• The law enforcement agency that issued the ticket
• Where it was issued
• The traffic offense committed
• A guilty or not-guilty plea
• Signature, and payment evidence (if pleading guilty).

The letter should be sent to:

N. H. Department of Safety
DMV FR/PBM
P.O. Box 472
Concord, NH 03302

How Long Does a Traffic Ticket Stay on Your Record in New Hampshire?

Per the Saf-C 212.03, the Division of Motor Vehicles retains the authority to assess demerit points for traffic offenses and violations depending on the severity of the crime. The number of points assigned for breaking traffic laws may reflect on a driver’s record for three years, starting from the violation date. However, warning notices are typically not included in a person’s driving history record.

Is a Summons Worse Than a Ticket in New Hampshire?

A summons is a court order issued to an individual to appear before a court to answer a traffic violation. A traffic ticket does not require an offender’s presence in the court, provided the fine written on the ticket can be paid. In the case of the summons, the court may assess a different fine separate from the standard fee charged for the violation. Failure to comply with a traffic summons may result in the suspension of a driver’s license. Hence, traffic summons attract higher penalties than a traffic ticket.