Defective Equipment Tags

What is a Defective Equipment Tag?

Many times, motorists are unaware of any problems associated with the vehicles they may be driving. As a courtesy to the motoring public, the Merrimack Police Department will advise operators of vehicles with defective vehicle equipment of those problems to provide them, and others they share the road with, a safer trip.

A "D.E. Tag" or Defective Equipment Repair order is notification to a driver to whom one is issued that the vehicle they are operating has defective, malfunctioning or broken equipment which necessitates repair. In many cases, these equipment deficiencies can cause an unsafe or hazardous condition not only for the driver of that vehicle, but for all other vehicles and operators on the road

Should you be stopped and notified of a problem, you will receive a "D.E. Tag". This will indicate the date and time you were notified of the problem(s), and which deficiencies require correction. You will generally have five (5) days to repair the defective equipment. Once corrected, complete the back of the slip which was issued to you (or have the individual making the repair do so...). Once the repair(s) is/are completed, return the slip to the Merrimack Police Department in person or by mail. Once received at the Department, we will document that the work has been corrected.

A D.E. Tag does not show on your State of New Hampshire Driving Record, nor does it have any impact on your insurance. Failure to make the necessary repairs, however, may subject the operator of that vehicle to a summons and fine, and an appearance in court.