Drivers could keep licenses despite unpaid towing and storage fees

The motor vehicle director would be barred from suspending, revoking, or refusing to renew a driver's license over unpaid vehicle removal or storage fees. It would apply to drivers who owe fees for a towed or stored vehicle. The rule would cover fees for a vehicle towed or stored for any reason.

The division would reinstate affected licenses without a reinstatement fee and let affected drivers renew their licenses. It would cover people whose licenses were suspended or not renewed because of unpaid vehicle removal or storage fees. A person whose license was suspended would need to be otherwise eligible to drive. A person renewing a license would pay the regular renewal fee, but no separate reinstatement fee. For suspended licenses, the division would have to act within 30 days after this section took effect. Drivers whose licenses were not renewed would become eligible to renew immediately.

A circuit or superior court justice could suspend a person's license for up to 30 days after conviction of an offense under this title, following a hearing where the driver had reasonable notice that suspension was possible. It would concern licenses issued to people convicted of an offense under this title. The justice could suspend a license only for a cause not prohibited by RSA 263. The act would take effect 60 days after passage.