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RSA 265-A:14 · Refusal of Consent

Title
XXI: MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter
265-A · ALCOHOL OR DRUG IMPAIRMENT
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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265-A:14 Refusal of Consent. –

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I.

If a person under arrest for any violation or misdemeanor under RSA 265 or RSA 215-A refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer, authorized agent, or peace officer to submit to physical tests or to a test of blood, urine, or breath designated by the law enforcement officer, authorized agent, or peace officer to as provided in RSA 265-A:4, none shall be given, but:

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(a)

If this is the first refusal with no prior driving or operating while intoxicated or aggravated driving or operating while intoxicated convictions:

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(1)

The director shall suspend his or her license to drive or nonresident driving privilege for a period of 180 days; or

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(2)

If the person is a resident without a license or permit to drive a motor vehicle in this state, the director shall deny to the person the privilege to drive and the issuance of a license for a period of 180 days after the date of the alleged violation.

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(b)

If the person has a prior driving or operating while intoxicated or aggravated driving or operating while intoxicated conviction or a prior refusal of consent under this section:

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(1)

The director shall suspend his or her license to drive or nonresident driving privilege for a period of 2 years; or

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(2)

If the person is a resident without a license or permit to drive a motor vehicle in this state, the director shall deny to the person the privilege to drive and the issuance of a license for a period of 2 years after the date of the alleged violation.

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II.

Except as provided in paragraph VI, the 180-day or 2-year suspension period or denial of issuance period imposed pursuant to this section shall not run concurrently with any other penalty imposed under the provision of this title. Any such suspension or denial of a license or privilege to drive shall be imposed in addition to any other penalty provided by law, subject to review as provided in RSA 265-A:31.

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III.

A refusal of consent for both post-arrest physical testing and testing of blood, urine, or breath following any one arrest shall be deemed one refusal for the purposes of this section.

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IV.

The provisions and penalties of this section, relative to the refusal of consent, shall apply to any person under arrest for any violation or misdemeanor involving the operation of a boat and upon satisfactory proof of the following:

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(a)

That the authorized agent or peace officer had reasonable grounds to believe the arrested person had been operating, had been attempting to operate, or was in actual physical control of a boat upon the public waters of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled drugs, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, or any other chemical substances, natural or synthetic, which impair a person's ability to drive or any combination thereof;

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(b)

That the person has been arrested;

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(c)

That the person refused to submit to the test upon request of the authorized agent or peace officer;

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(d)

That the agent or officer informed the person arrested that his or her refusal to submit to such a test would result in the loss of his or her privilege to operate a boat on the waters of the state and the loss of his or her privilege to operate a motor vehicle on the ways of this state; and

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(e)

That the agent or officer informed the arrested person of his or her right to have a similar test or tests conducted by a person of his or her own choosing.

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V.

If a person's license or privilege to drive is suspended under paragraph I or IV, the person's privilege to operate a boat on the waters of the state shall also be suspended for the same period of time.

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VI.

The commissioner, after a hearing and for good cause shown, may authorize the concurrent running of a suspension period or denial of issuance period imposed pursuant to this section, to be applied retroactively, if:

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(a)

The person's license or privilege to drive has been continuously suspended or revoked for 10 years or more;

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(b)

The person has no conviction for negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, or equivalent out-of-state offense, and no more than 2 lifetime convictions for driving under the influence of drugs or liquor or aggravated driving while intoxicated, or equivalent out-of-state offense; and

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(c)

The person has not driven a motor vehicle for 10 years or more and has not held a driver's license in any state during that time. Source. 2006, 260:1. 2008, 316:2. 2010, 107:1. 2012, 56:1, 2, eff. May 14, 2012; 267:11, eff. Jan. 1, 2013.

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Source note

Source. 2006, 260:1. 2008, 316:2. 2010, 107:1. 2012, 56:1, 2, eff. May 14, 2012; 267:11, eff. Jan. 1, 2013.

Source history

  • 2006, 260:1
  • 2008, 316:2
  • 2010, 107:1
  • 2012, 56:1, 2, eff. May 14, 2012; 267:11, eff. Jan. 1, 2013

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1235 reference

    or arrest for a different offense. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a law enforcement agency from investigating or charging a person for a violation of RSA 265-A. (c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as forbidding any police officer from taking into custody any minor who is found violating paragraph III or IV. (d) Any person under 21 years of age in possession of a

  • 2026 HB1235-FN reference

    or arrest for a different offense. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a law enforcement agency from investigating or charging a person for a violation of RSA 265-A. (c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as forbidding any police officer from taking into custody any minor who is found violating paragraph III or IV. (d) Any person under 21 years of age in possession of a

  • 2026 HB1486 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    any insured solely because a spouse, household member, or relative by marriage has had their license suspended or revoked, or has been convicted of driving while intoxicated under RSA 265-A. II. No insurer shall require an insured to obtain a higher level of coverage, file proof of financial responsibility, or purchase any rider, endorsement, or policy solely because of the license status or driving rec

  • 2026 HB186 reference

    r does not have lawful grounds for arrest for a different offense. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a law enforcement agency from investigating or charging a person for a violation of RSA 265-A. (c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as forbidding any police officer from taking into custody any minor who is found violating paragraph II[,] or III[, or IV]. (d) Any person under 21 years of age

  • 2026 HB186-FN-A reference

    8-F:21 Driving; Minors; and Control of Property. I. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit driving or operating under the influence of drugs or liquor pursuant to RSA 265-A, nor shall this section prevent the state from enacting and imposing penalties for driving under the influence of or while impaired by cannabis. II. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit the transfer of

  • 2026 SB620 amend · effective 2027-01-01

    e it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 26:1 Driving or Operating Under the Influence of Drugs or Liquor; Refusal of Consent. Amend RSA 265-A:14, I through II to read as follows: I. If a person under arrest for any violation or misdemeanor under RSA 265 or RSA 215-A refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer, authorized agent, or peace officer to sub

  • 2026 SB620-FN amend · effective 2027-01-01

    e it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 26:1 Driving or Operating Under the Influence of Drugs or Liquor; Refusal of Consent. Amend RSA 265-A:14, I through II to read as follows: I. If a person under arrest for any violation or misdemeanor under RSA 265 or RSA 215-A refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer, authorized agent, or peace officer to sub

  • 2026 SB651 reference

    8-F:17 Driving; Minors; and Control of Property. I. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit driving or operating under the influence of drugs or liquor pursuant to RSA 265-A, nor shall this section prevent the state from enacting and imposing penalties for driving under the influence of or while impaired by cannabis. II. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit the transfer of

  • 2026 SB651-FN-A reference

    8-F:17 Driving; Minors; and Control of Property. I. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit driving or operating under the influence of drugs or liquor pursuant to RSA 265-A, nor shall this section prevent the state from enacting and imposing penalties for driving under the influence of or while impaired by cannabis. II. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit the transfer of

  • 2025 HB198 reference

    workplace or to affect the ability of employers to have policies restricting the use of cannabis by employees. (b) Be construed to permit driving or operating under the influence of drugs or liquor pursuant to RSA 265-A, nor prevent the state from enacting and imposing penalties for driving under the influence of or while impaired by cannabis. (c) Be construed to permit the transfer of cannabis, with or without remuneration,

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