By: Mike Dunbar, Citizens Count
Want to know more about this legislation? Listen as hosts Anna Brown and Mike Dunbar, of Citizens Count break it down in $100 Plus Mileage.
There are a variety of reasons someone might break the law by driving without a valid driver’s license—they let it expire, or their family couldn’t afford drivers’ education courses, for example. If someone drives without a license because they can’t pass a safety test, however, it puts everyone on the road at risk. A 2015 law introduced stricter penalties for those who drive without a license. Now New Hampshire is considering HB 201, a bill to roll back some of thodrvse changes.
A proposal to ease up on unlicensed drivers
Driving without a license is a Class B misdemeanor in the Granite State. Before 2015, it was a simple violation. A misdemeanor is considered a criminal act, while a violation is not—rather, it is more like a speeding ticket. This year Rep. George Sykes (D-Lebanon) introduced HB 201, which changes the penalties for driving without a license back to a violation. A second conviction within twelve months would be a misdemeanor. The bill also only applies to those driving without ever getting a license or with an expired license—it wouldn’t apply to revoked licenses. (A revoked license can follow a DUI or other major driving offense.)
The punishment should fit the crime
HB 201 was crafted with the input of stakeholders including churches and the ACLU. They argue that the current penalties for driving without a license unfairly impact low-income individuals and immigrants who may face barriers to obtaining a driver's license. A misdemeanor charge has long-lasting consequences, including hurting job and rental applications. This makes it even harder for economically-challenged families to escape the cycle of poverty that prevents them from getting a license in the first place.
Rep. Sykes reassured the Judiciary Committee during the bill’s public hearing that unlicensed drivers would still be subject to all other penalties for other driving offenses, such as speeding.
Keeping our roads safe must be a priority
There are some who oppose the bill. Rep. Jennifer Rhodes (R-Winchester) testified against HB 201 at a public hearing. She argued that a driver's license serves as proof that an individual understands the rules of the road. Rhodes believes that excuses like the cost of driver's education courses or licenses should not be made for someone who may harm others on New Hampshire roadways. She contends that renewing an expired license is a simple matter that should be able to be done in a reasonable time. Rhodes emphasized that New Hampshire was one of the cheaper states to drive in.
New Hampshire raised the penalty for driving without a license in 2015 after an unlicensed driver killed two bicyclists in a collision.
What do you think?
Does New Hampshire’s current law help keep our roads safer? Or is it too harsh as it stands now? The Senate will vote on this bill soon; so, whatever your opinion, let your senators know by contacting them. You can find how by visiting citizenscount.org/elected-officials.
Citizens Count is a nonprofit serving the New Hampshire community by providing objective information about issues, elected officials, bills, elections, and candidates. These articles are being shared with partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.