New Hampshire Law Grants Truck Drivers Restroom Access at Businesses

Concord, NH — Commercial truck drivers making deliveries to or pickups from most businesses in New Hampshire must be allowed to use the restroom under S.B. 500. Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) signed the bill June 12. It took effect Aug. 11. The measure received bipartisan backing.

Scope of the Law

S.B. 500 covers a place of business open to the general public for the sale of goods or services. It also applies to a shipper, receiver, manufacturer, warehouse, distribution center, or any other business entity that is receiving or sending goods by commercial motor vehicle. The law extends to drayage truck drivers. According to Safety+Health Magazine, the statute requires these entities to permit truck drivers to use existing restrooms.

Exemptions and Association Position

The law exempts filling and service stations. It also exempts restaurants with employee-only restrooms. The New Hampshire Motor Transport Association supported the bill during a January hearing of the New Hampshire Senate Transportation Committee. Association spokesperson Bob Sculley stated the measure does not require organizations to build a restroom, change a restroom, or put porta-potties up.

Federal Legislation

On the federal level, Reps. Troy Nehls (R-TX) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) reintroduced The Trucker Bathroom Access Act (H.R. 2514) in March 2025. The bill would mandate operators of warehouses, distribution centers, retail facilities, and ports to provide restroom access to truckers loading or delivering cargo. A related measure appears in the bipartisan Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act (H.R. 8870), which advanced to the full House in May. According to Safety+Health Magazine, these developments follow the New Hampshire enactment.

The New Hampshire law took effect one day before the Aug. 12 report from Safety+Health Magazine.