Impaired Driving | Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services | NH Department of Health and Human Services

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Impaired Driving Program

In New Hampshire, driving or operating a vehicle when the brain is impaired by a drug (any drug including alcohol) puts many people at unnecessary risk, including the driver, his/her passengers, and other motorists and pedestrians. Impaired driving is a crime.

The impacts of impaired driving are devastating, including loss of employment, injury, death, and significant costs associated with emergency services, hospital care, adjudication and corrections.

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2013: As a result of a change in statute to increase public safety, individuals convicted of an impaired driving offense are now required to attend and participate in a New Hampshire approved Impaired Driver Care Management Program (IDCMP) for a screening and evaluation to determine if there is a substance use disorder and to participate in treatment, education and/or recovery support services (when indicated) within a shorter span than previously required. All IDCMPs and Impaired Driver Service Providers (IDSP) must be approved by the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services.

EFFECTIVE December 1, 2019: All individuals convicted of an Impaired driving offense prior to 2013 who has not been reinstated must also completed an Impaired Driver Care Management Program. All IDCMPs and Impaired Driver Service Providers (IDSP) must be approved by the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services.

First Offense

An individual convicted of an impaired driving offense must complete an intake and screening at a New Hampshire approved IDCMP within 14 days of conviction in order to be eligible to receive a reduction in their license revocation requirements.

If the screening is negative, the individual will be required to complete an Impaired Driver Education Program (IDEP) or a Weekend Impaired Driver Education Program (WIDEP).

If the screening is positive, the individual will be required to complete a full substance use disorder evaluation within 30 days of conviction to be eligible to receive a reduction in their license revocation requirements.

If the evaluation is positive, the IDCMP will create a service plan, which may include treatment, education and/or recovery support services.

Non-compliance with any of the above will result in a full license revocation time period and the driving privileges will not be restored until the individual has successfully completed an IDCMP.

Aggravated, Second or Subsequent Offense

When an individual is convicted of an aggravated, second, or subsequent offense in the last ten years, they will receive a minimum 5-day sentence in the County House of Correction (HOC) from the court. A certain portion (depending on the level of offense) of the HOC time is suspended to encourage individuals to participate in the program, which can be imposed by the courts if individuals are non-compliant with any of the requirements.

The individual is required to schedule a full substance use disorder evaluation within 30 days and complete the evaluation within 60 days of the release from the HOC. All aggravated, second and subsequent offenders will have a service plan, which may include treatment, education and/or recovery support services.

Non-compliance with any of the above will result in a full license revocation time period and the driving privileges will not be restored until the individual has successfully completed an IDCMP.

Prior Convictions

If you were convicted of an impaired driving offense prior to January 2013 and HAVE NOT been reinstated you are now required to be serviced through the Impaired Driver Care Management Program. Please contact an IDCMP from the following list: IDCMP Program Locations