No, driving without a shirt in New Hampshire is not explicitly prohibited by state statute, but local ordinances and municipal codes in municipalities like Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth may impose restrictions under broader public decency or vehicle equipment regulations. The New Hampshire Department of Safety’s 2026 compliance review emphasizes enforcement discretion in cases where uncovered torsos could constitute a distraction or public nuisance, particularly in commercial zones.
Key Regulations for Driving Without a Shirt in New Hampshire
- Municipal Decency Ordinances: Cities such as Nashua and Portsmouth enforce local public decency codes (e.g., Nashua Code § 12-102), which may interpret exposed torsos as indecent exposure when visible to the public, including from roadways.
- Vehicle Equipment Standards: While RSA 266:52 mandates functional vehicle equipment, RSA 266:53’s vague “obstructed view” clause has been cited by law enforcement in Concord and Dover to cite shirtless drivers for impaired visibility under secondary enforcement.
- Distracted Driving Enforcement: The 2026 NHDOT Strategic Plan flags shirtless driving as a potential distraction risk; troopers in Troop C (Merrimack County) have issued “careless driving” citations (RSA 263:37) when torso exposure contributes to erratic lane behavior.
Enforcement remains inconsistent, with rural areas like Coos County rarely penalizing shirtless driving absent additional violations. Motorists should verify local ordinances, particularly in urban centers, as municipal interpretations of decency and vehicle safety may evolve under the 2026 compliance framework.