Governor Ayotte Signs Law to Close DUI Refusal Loophole

CONCORD, N.H. - Today, Governor Ayotte signed into law Senate Bill 620, which increases the administrative license suspension penalty for drivers who refused a breath alcohol test when stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The bill passed the New Hampshire Senate unanimously and by an overwhelming bipartisan margin in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

"By increasing the administrative license suspension time when someone refuses a breath alcohol test, we're closing a loophole in our law that has discouraged cooperation with law enforcement and kept drivers from being held accountable for DUIs," said Governor Ayotte. "This bipartisan law is a critical step to keeping New Hampshire the safest state in the nation, and I thank the members of the House and Senate on both sides of the aisle who helped us get this done. Together, we're closing the loophole and saving lives on our roads."

SB 620 increases the administrative license suspension time from six to nine months for drivers who refuse DUI testing. Under current law, the administrative suspension time for a driver convicted of a DUI is the same as a driver who refuses testing, creating a loophole incentive not to cooperate with law enforcement. The new law will take effect January 1, 2027.

Since 2018, more than 260 Granite Staters have been killed in crashes caused by impaired drivers. With the signing of SB 620, New Hampshire is closing the refusal loophole and saving lives.