Reckless driving is a violation level offense. This means it is a civil infraction rather than a crime; however, it still carries significant penalties. RSA 265:79 lays out the statutory requirements for reckless driving. This law changed January 1, 2026. This law changed multiple things in RSA 265:79. Pursuant to section I, speeding at 100 mph or more now carries a stiffer penalty. One convicted of this section faces a minimum mandatory penalty of a $750 fine plus penalty assessment (24% court costs or $180) and a 90-day loss of license. This was increased from the previous $500 fine and 60-day loss of license. Driving recklessly but not at 100 mph or more still carries the $500 fine and 60-day loss of license for a first offense pursuant to section I. The last key difference is if one is originally charged with DWI and that charge is amended to reckless driving, they must complete a qualified online victim impact panel unless the court determines that exceptional circumstances exist.

RSA 265:79

Section I.

Whoever upon any way drives a vehicle recklessly, or causes a vehicle to be driven recklessly, as defined in RSA 626:2, II(c), or so that the lives or safety of the public shall be endangered, or upon a bet, wager, or race, or who drives a vehicle for the purpose of making a record, and thereby violates any of the provisions of this title or any rules adopted by the director, shall be, notwithstanding the provisions of title LXII, guilty of a violation and fined not less than $500 plus penalty assessment for the first offense and $750 plus penalty assessment for the subsequent offense nor more than $1,000 plus penalty assessment and his or her license or operating privilege shall be revoked for a period of 60 days for the first offense and from 60 days to one year for the subsequent offense. Any person who pleads guilty to an offense under this section that was originally charged with an offense under RSA 265-A:2 or RSA 265-A:3 shall be required to complete a qualified online victim impact panel program, as defined in RSA 265-A:1, VII, unless the court determines that exceptional circumstances exist.

Section II.

Whoever upon any way drives a vehicle at a speed of 100 miles per hour or greater and thereby violates any of the provisions of this title or any rules adopted by the director, shall be, notwithstanding the provisions of title LXII, guilty of a violation and fined not less than $750 plus penalty assessment for the first offense and $1,000 plus penalty assessment for the subsequent offense and his or her license or operating privilege shall be revoked for a period of 90 days for the first offense and from 90 days to one year for the subsequent offense.

Here is a link to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch website’s violation level waiver of rights form which also lays out the three separate sentences for reckless driving: Acknowledgment and Waiver of Rights - Violation