Revision: Nov. 28, 2023, 12:15 p.m.
2024 SESSION
24-3102.1
11/05
SENATE BILL [bill number]
AN ACT relative to temporary drivers licenses and non-driver identification cards.
SPONSORS: [sponsors]
COMMITTEE: [committee]
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ANALYSIS
This bill provides for the issuance of a temporary proof of license or non-driver identification upon expiration of a valid driver license or non-driver identification card.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-3102.1
11/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to temporary drivers licenses and non-driver identification cards.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 License. Amend RSA 259:48 to read as follows:
259:48 License. "License" shall mean any driver's license or any other license or permit to drive a vehicle issued under the laws of this state or a reciprocating state including:
I. Any temporary or learner's permit;
I-a. Any temporary proof of license issued upon license renewal, pursuant to RSA 263:10, II;
II. The privilege of an unlicensed person to learn to drive a motor vehicle as provided in RSA 263:25;
III. The right of a nonresident to drive a vehicle in this state while holding a valid driver's license or permit issued by another state, territory or country whose drivers' licenses are recognized by this state; and
IV. Any other privilege which any person, either resident or nonresident, may have to drive a vehicle in this state.
2 License Expiration. Amend RSA 263:10 to read as follows:
263:10 License Expiration.
I. Except as provided in this section and RSA 263:5-f, I, RSA 263:14, and RSA 263:39-a, III, all licenses shall expire on the fifth anniversary of the license holder's date of birth following the date of issuance. The department shall notify each holder of a license by mail addressed to the holder's last known address, or, if the license holder has so elected, by electronic, telephonic, or other means, 30 days prior to the expiration date thereof of a place and time when he or she shall appear for the issuance of a new license and any availability of electronic license renewal.
II. Notwithstanding paragraph I, the director may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A providing for the renewal of driver licenses by applicants on-line rather than by appearing in person; provided that the applicant is otherwise eligible for license renewal, is not required to submit to a road test under the provisions of RSA 263:7, has submitted proof sufficient to the director that he or she meets the visual acuity requirements for licensing, and has a computerized image on file with the division. A license may be renewed on-line only once in every other license renewal cycle and the next cycle shall require appearance in person at a licensing facility. Applicants whose on-line renewal application is approved shall receive a temporary proof of license, which shall constitute the applicant’s valid driver license until the division issues the physical driver license to the applicant, or the expiration of 60 days, whichever shall occur first. A temporary proof of license issued pursuant to this section shall constitute sufficient proof of eligibility to operate a motor vehicle or vessel and, when accompanied by the most recently issued New Hampshire driver license, shall also constitute sufficient proof of identification for any legal purpose except voting.
3 New Paragraph; Identification Cards. Amend RSA 260:21 by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:
IV-a. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph IV, applicants whose on-line renewal application is approved shall receive a temporary proof of identification, which shall constitute the applicant’s valid identification card until the division issues the physical identification card to the applicant, or the expiration of 60 days, whichever shall occur first. A temporary proof of identification issued pursuant to this section, when accompanied by the most recently issued New Hampshire identification card, shall constitute sufficient proof of identification for any legal purpose except voting.
4 Possession of License Required. Amend RSA 263:2 to read as follows:
263:2 Possession of License Required. Every person driving a motor vehicle shall have his or her driver's license or any temporary proof of license issued upon license renewal upon his or her person or in the vehicle in some easily accessible place and shall display the same on demand of and manually surrender the same into the hands of the demanding officer for the inspection thereof. No person charged with a violation of this section shall be convicted if, within a period of 48 hours, [he] the person produces in the office of the arresting officer evidence that he or she held a valid driver's license which was in effect at the time of [his] arrest.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.