New Hampshire has established some of the nation's strictest regulations regarding automated license plate readers (ALPRs), including those from companies like Flock. This long-standing framework is now gaining attention from other states looking to control the spread of surveillance cameras. Drivers in New Hampshire face a different ALPR landscape than those in most other states.
According to New Hampshire Public Radio reported, the state's 2016 law restricts ALPR use primarily to law enforcement and sets tight rules on data retention. This approach has largely prevented companies like Flock from gaining a significant presence in the state, unlike elsewhere in the country.
How does New Hampshire's ALPR law affect drivers?
New Hampshire's state law, passed in 2016, dictates who can use ALPRs and for how long data can be kept. This means fewer cameras on the roads and stricter limits on data retention for those that are present.
Key provisions of the law include:
- Only state, county, or local law enforcement officers can operate ALPRs.
- Cameras can only be used for specific purposes, such as identifying stolen vehicles, vehicles linked to serious crimes, or those associated with missing persons.
- Images of license plates must be deleted within three minutes if no law enforcement action (like an arrest or citation) results from the scan.
- Cameras cannot record images of vehicle occupants.
- A positive ALPR match alone does not create probable cause for a traffic stop.
- Police departments must get approval from their chief or top officer to use ALPRs and register them with the Department of Safety.
This three-minute deletion rule is particularly significant. Caitlin Fennessy of IAPP noted that this provision makes New Hampshire's law "far more restrictive" than in other states. For example, Flock's default data retention is seven days, though they allow customers to specify shorter or longer periods. New Hampshire's law effectively prevents the creation of extensive, searchable databases of vehicle movements that are common elsewhere.
Are there any ALPRs in New Hampshire?
Despite the strict regulations, ALPRs are still present in New Hampshire. The crowdsourced website flockcameralocations.com lists 68 cameras in the state. Many of these are at toll plazas, which are permitted under state law for toll billing, but this data must be kept separate and law enforcement cannot access it. Our own map at /map also shows locations that drivers have identified.
New Hampshire law enforcement agencies cannot install their own ALPRs for general surveillance. However, some departments, like the Manchester Police Department, have contracts that allow them to query ALPR databases from other states. This means a driver's plate scanned in another state could still be accessed by New Hampshire police under certain circumstances.
This restrictive legal environment has positioned New Hampshire as a model for other states concerned about ALPR proliferation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, for instance, has referenced New Hampshire's approach when advocating for similar restrictions in his state. Some New Hampshire lawmakers, like Rep. Michael Granger, are even pushing for further tightening of surveillance laws in the upcoming 2027 legislative session. Drivers should stay informed about these policy changes by visiting /learn for more background.