Category: New Hampshire

Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you are under 18, you cannot get a New Hampshire driver’s license without finishing an approved driver education course. Under RSA 263:19 and NH DMV rules, the course means at least 30 hours in the classroom, 10 hours behind the wheel with a certified instructor and 6 hours observing another student drive. This guide covers when you can enroll, what the course includes and what you get at the end.

New Hampshire driver’s ed at a glance

Part	Minimum	With whom
Classroom instruction	30 hours	Approved driver education program
Practice driving	10 hours	Certified instructor
Driving observation	6 hours	In the car while another student drives
Extra supervised driving (not part of the course)	40 hours, 10 at night	Parent, guardian or licensed adult 25+

Who has to take driver’s ed in New Hampshire?

Anyone under 18 applying for a New Hampshire license. This includes teens moving in with a license from another state, who must still meet the minor requirements. From 18, driver education is not required.

When can you enroll?

You qualify if either is true:

• you are 15 years and 9 months old by the first scheduled classroom session, or
• your 16th birthday falls on or before the last regularly scheduled classroom session.

You can start supervised practice at 15½, before the course begins: how practice driving works without a permit.

Online classroom hours

RSA 263:19 allows part of the classroom instruction to be delivered online, up to a set limit. Ask your driving school how many of its 30 hours are online and confirm the current limit with NH DMV.

The completion certificate

• Your instructor issues an original green Driver Education Completion Certificate.
• Bring the original to your license appointment.
• Keep it somewhere safe. Ask your driving school about a replacement if you lose it.

Choosing a driving school

1. Confirm the program is approved by NH DMV.
2. Ask how the 10 driving and 6 observation hours are scheduled, and whether lessons include night or winter driving.
3. Ask whether the school’s car can be used for the road test.
4. Check the total price and what a missed lesson costs. Fees are set by the school, not the state.

Common questions

Is driver’s ed mandatory in New Hampshire?

Yes, for anyone under 18 who wants a license.

How old do you have to be to take driver’s ed in NH?

15 years 9 months by the first classroom session, or turning 16 on or before the last one.

Do the 10 instructor hours count toward the 40 supervised hours?

No. The 40 hours are additional.

What is the 6 hours of observation?

Time spent in the car watching another student drive with the instructor.

Can I get my license as soon as I finish driver’s ed?

Once you are 16 and have your 40 supervised hours, you can book the vision, knowledge and road tests. See the written test and the road test.

I am 18. Do I still need driver’s ed?

No. The requirement applies to applicants under 18.

Back to the full guide: Learning to drive in New Hampshire.

Sources

• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Education” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Education Frequently Asked Questions” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Licensing Requirements for Minors” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “RSA 263:19 Driver Education” (gc.nh.gov)

Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There is no learner’s permit in New Hampshire. A teen aged 15½ or older can drive on public roads as long as a qualifying adult is in the car and proof of age is on hand. This page explains who can supervise, how to log the required 40 hours and which form to use.

Key facts

• Minimum age to practice: 15½.
• No permit card, no permit test.
• Carry proof of age in the vehicle every time you drive.
• Supervisor: a parent or legal guardian, or another responsible licensed adult aged 25 or older.
• Required before a license: 40 supervised hours, at least 10 at night.

What counts as proof of age?

NH DMV says you must carry proof of age in the vehicle. Ask NH DMV which documents it accepts, and keep one in the glove box.

Who can supervise a New Hampshire teen driver?

Supervisor	Can supervise?	Form to certify the 40 hours
Licensed parent or legal guardian	Yes	DSMV 38
Other responsible licensed adult, 25 or older	Yes	DSMV 509 (when there is no licensed parent or guardian)
Licensed sibling or friend under 25	No	n/a

Your supervisor sits beside you and must be able to take over. Nobody should supervise while impaired or on a phone.

The 40-hour requirement

• 40 hours on top of the 10 driving hours in driver education.
• At least 10 of them at night. Night means from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.
• Logged and signed on the out-of-class driving log, which you bring to your license appointment.
• You can start at 15½, before or during driver education.

A simple 40-hour plan

Phase	Hours	Focus
1. Basics	6	Empty parking lots: starting, stopping, steering, mirrors
2. Quiet roads	10	Residential streets, stop signs, turns, speed control
3. Busier traffic	10	Town centers, four-way stops, roundabouts, lane changes
4. Night driving	10	Headlights, glare, judging speed in the dark
5. Test prep	4	Parallel parking and the roads near your test site

Add winter driving if you are learning between November and March: driving in snow, fog and rain. Other states’ hour requirements: supervised driving hours by state.

Practicing outside New Hampshire

Because New Hampshire gives you no permit card, another state may not recognize your practice driving. Check that state’s rules before you cross the line: driving with a learner’s permit in another state.

Common questions

At what age can I start driving with a parent in New Hampshire?

15½, with proof of age in the car.

Can my 21-year-old brother supervise me?

No. A non-parent supervisor must be a licensed adult aged 25 or older.

Do driver’s ed driving hours count toward the 40?

No. The 40 hours are in addition to the 10 hours with your driver education instructor.

What counts as night driving?

From half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. You need at least 10 night hours.

Do I need to take a test before I start practicing?

No. There is no permit test. The knowledge test is taken when you apply for your license: New Hampshire written test explained.

Can I drive alone before I get my license?

No. Until you pass the road test, you must always have a qualifying supervisor with you.

Next: New Hampshire driver’s ed requirements. Full guide: Learning to drive in New Hampshire.

Sources

• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Licensing Requirements for Minors” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Learning to Drive” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Form DSMV 38” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Form DSMV 509” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “RSA 263:19 Driver Education” (gc.nh.gov)

Photo: AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Every first license in New Hampshire for drivers 16 to 20 is a Youth Operator license. It comes with a 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. driving ban, a seat belt occupancy limit, a 6-month passenger rule and, under 18, a total phone ban. This explainer covers what each rule means, how long it lasts and what a violation costs.

New Hampshire Youth Operator restrictions at a glance

Rule	What it says	How long
Night driving	No driving between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.	Youth Operator license (see note below)
Occupants	No more occupants than seat belts	Youth Operator license
Passengers	No more than one passenger under 25 who is not a family member, unless a licensed adult 25 or older is with you	First 6 months after the license is issued
Phones and devices	No use at all, hands-free or not, except to report an emergency	Until 18
Hand-held phones	Banned for all drivers	All ages

Who holds a Youth Operator license?

Under RSA 263:14, the DMV issues a Youth Operator license to applicants aged 16 or older and under 21. It expires on your 21st birthday. That applies whether you were licensed at 16 or at 19.

The 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. rule: does it apply after 18?

RSA 263:14 says the holder of a Youth Operator license may not drive between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Read literally, that covers every Youth Operator holder until the license expires at 21. The New Hampshire Driver’s Manual (Rev. 07/24), like some NH DMV summary pages, lists it with the rules for Youth Operators under 18. If you are 18 to 20 and plan to drive in that window, ask NH DMV how the rule applies to you.

The statute has no school or work exception, so plan late shifts and events around it.

The passenger rule, with examples

For the first 6 months, you may carry no more than one passenger under 25 who is not a family member. The limit lifts while a licensed adult aged 25 or older is with you.

• Allowed: your two younger siblings and one friend (family members do not count toward the limit).
• Allowed: one friend aged 17.
• Not allowed: two friends aged 17 and 22, with no qualifying adult.
• Allowed: three friends when your 40-year-old licensed aunt is in the car.

Even after 6 months, you still may not carry more people than there are seat belts.

Phones: New Hampshire’s under-18 ban (RSA 265:79-c)

• Under 18, you may not use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while driving, whether hands-free or not. That includes being temporarily stopped in traffic.
• Exception: reporting an emergency to 911 or another public safety agency.
• Allowed: hearing spoken directions from a hands-free GPS or navigation service.
• A conviction under 18 carries 4 demerit points and can lead to license suspension.
• For adults, the ban is on hand-held use. A first offense carries a $100 fine plus penalty assessment.

How this compares nationally: hands-free and texting laws by state.

What happens if you break a Youth Operator rule?

• Violating the night-driving or passenger rules can bring a fine and a license suspension, with longer suspensions for repeat offenses. For drivers under 20, the manual says the DMV may suspend or revoke the license after a hearing for certain offenses: 20 days for a first offense, 45 days for a second and 90 days for a third or later.
• Violations also add demerit points. Under 18, 6 points in one calendar year can mean a suspension of up to 3 months. From 18 to under 21, the first threshold is 9 points.
• Two or more speeding convictions in your first 2 years as a Youth Operator mean you need an SR-22 insurance filing for 3 years.

More on points: US points systems and suspensions. Alcohol rules under 21: zero tolerance laws.

Common questions

Can I drive my friends at 16 in New Hampshire?

In your first 6 months, you can carry one non-family passenger under 25, or more if a licensed adult 25 or older is with you.

Can a 17 year old use a hands-free phone in NH?

No. Under 18, all device use is banned while driving, including hands-free, except to report an emergency. Listening to hands-free GPS directions is allowed.

Is there a teen curfew for work in New Hampshire?

The Youth Operator rule bans driving from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m., and the statute lists no work exception.

When do the restrictions end?

The passenger rule ends after 6 months. The phone ban ends at 18. The license itself expires on your 21st birthday.

Does my older brother count as family for the passenger rule?

The rule excludes family members, so a brother does not count toward the one-passenger limit.

Does New Hampshire have a seat belt law for teens?

Yes. Everyone under 18 must be buckled up, including the driver. See US seat belt laws.

Back to the full guide: Learning to drive in New Hampshire. Compare states: GDL laws by state.

Sources

• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Youth Operator Restrictions & Violations – Under 20” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “New Hampshire Driver’s Manual” DSMV 360, Rev. 07/24 (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Demerit Points” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “RSA 263:14 Original and Youth Operators’ Licenses” (gc.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “RSA 265:79-c Use of Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving; Prohibition” (gc.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “Saf-C 7500” (gc.nh.gov)

Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The New Hampshire road test is the last step to your first license. You book it only after passing the vision and knowledge tests, you supply a registered, inspected car, and only you and the DMV examiner ride in it. This guide covers what to bring, what gets scored, including parallel parking, and how to avoid being turned away on the day.

Before you can book the NH road test

• Pass the vision and knowledge tests first: New Hampshire written test explained.
• Under 18: have your original green driver education certificate, the signed parent or guardian authorization and your signed 40-hour log.
• All tests are by appointment.

Car checklist: is your vehicle test-ready?

• Fully registered.
• In safe operating condition. Check lights, brake lights, turn signals, horn, tires, wipers and windshield.
• Current inspection sticker, if your vehicle needs one. New Hampshire-registered vehicles must meet state inspection rules.
• Insurance: the state does not require it, but ask your insurer whether you are covered to drive the car on the test.

Who can come with you?

• A properly licensed driver must drive the car to and from the test site. You cannot drive yourself there.
• That driver should stay at the site until the test ends.
• During the test, only you and the DMV examiner may be in the vehicle. No parents, instructors or friends.

What the examiner scores

The test takes about 20 minutes. The Licensing Examiner gives clear instructions but cannot coach you, so ask any questions before or after the drive.

New Hampshire’s road skills rules list parallel parking as a scored item. The examiner looks at:

• how many attempts you take
• how you maneuver the car into the space
• where the car ends up

The rest of the test is everyday driving on public roads. Expect to be judged on:

Skill	What good looks like
Observation	Mirror and blind-spot checks before moving off, changing lanes and turning
Signals	Signaling early and canceling after the turn
Stops	A full stop behind the line at stop signs and red lights
Speed	Keeping to the limit and slowing for conditions and school zones
Lane position	Staying in your lane and turning into the correct lane
Right of way	Yielding to pedestrians and other traffic when required
Following instructions	Doing what the examiner asks, safely

The full scoring rules are in Saf-C 1000. Common reasons people fail nationwide: why people fail the driving test.

Practice plan for your last few weeks

1. Parallel park on quiet streets until you can do it in one attempt, then add a second try only to correct your position.
2. Drive the roads near your test site with your supervisor.
3. Practice four-way stops and roundabouts: four-way stops, roundabouts.
4. Have your supervisor call out examiner-style instructions such as “take the next right” so you get used to reacting calmly.
5. Do a final car check the day before.

How New Hampshire compares with other states: US road test by state.

Common questions

Is parallel parking on the New Hampshire road test?

Yes. It is listed as a scored item in New Hampshire’s road skills rules.

Can my parent ride along during the test?

No. Only you and the examiner may be in the car. Your parent or another licensed driver drives you there and waits.

Can I use my driving school’s car?

Any vehicle that is registered, safe and properly inspected meets the vehicle rules. Ask your driving school whether it offers its car for tests.

What happens after I pass?

You get a 60-day paper license, and your license card is mailed to you within 45 days. If you fail, your retest is at least 10 days later. It is a Youth Operator license with restrictions: NH Youth Operator restrictions.

How much does the road test cost?

Check the current NH DMV fee schedule before booking (as of November 2026).

What if my inspection sticker has expired?

If your vehicle needs an inspection sticker, it must be current, so get the car inspected before your appointment.

Back to the full guide: Learning to drive in New Hampshire.

Sources

• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Licensing Testing Requirements” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Licensing Requirements for Minors” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “New Hampshire Driver’s Manual” DSMV 360, Rev. 07/24 (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “Saf-C 1000 Driver License” (gc.nh.gov)

Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The NH DMV written test is a multiple-choice knowledge test on New Hampshire motor vehicle law and the Driver’s Manual. If you are under 18, you take it only after finishing driver education and your 40 supervised hours, on the same appointment track as the vision and road tests. This page covers what is on it, what to bring and how to prepare.

Key facts

• Format: multiple choice, one correct answer per question, based on New Hampshire motor vehicle law.
• Study source: the New Hampshire Driver’s Manual from NH DMV.
• All tests are by appointment.
• You must pass the vision and knowledge tests before a road test can be scheduled.
• 40 multiple-choice questions on a touch screen, each with four answers. You have 40 minutes.
• The test ends automatically once you get more than 8 wrong, so you need at least 32 correct.
• It is offered in English, American Sign Language, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Farsi and Mandarin Chinese, in written and audio form. Oral testing with headphones is available if you ask before you start.
• Fail the knowledge or road test and your retest is at least 10 days later.
• The test fee is not in the manual. Check it with NH DMV before your appointment (as of November 2026).

When can you take the written test in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has no learner’s permit, so the knowledge test is not a permit test. It is part of applying for your first license. Under 18, you need to have:

• reached 16
• completed an approved driver education program
• completed 40 extra supervised hours, 10 at night
• a parent or guardian’s written permission

Background on the practice stage: how teen practice driving works in New Hampshire.

What to bring to the appointment (under 18)

• The original green Driver Education Completion Certificate from your instructor.
• The signed Parent or Guardian Authorization Certificate.
• The signed out-of-class driving log (DSMV 38, or DSMV 509 if a non-parent adult supervised).
• Identity and residency documents. Check the current list on the NH DMV “Important Appointment Information/Required Documents” page. If you want a REAL ID card, see REAL ID and your first license.
• Glasses or contacts if you need them for the vision test.

What is on the NH DMV knowledge test?

Questions focus on New Hampshire motor vehicle laws and the Driver’s Manual. Expect these areas:

Topic	Where to study
Signs, signals and road markings	Road signs, signals, pavement markings
Right of way and intersections	Four-way stops
Youth Operator rules (1 a.m. to 4 a.m., passengers, phones)	NH Youth Operator restrictions
Alcohol and impairment	Driver’s Manual; zero tolerance under 21
Speed, following distance, parking	Driver’s Manual
School buses, emergency vehicles, sharing the road	Driver’s Manual

How to prepare

1. Read the current Driver’s Manual cover to cover. Questions come from New Hampshire law, not other states.
2. Learn the New Hampshire-specific rules by heart: the under-18 total phone ban, the under-25 passenger rule and the 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. limit.
3. Learn signs by shape and color so you can answer even if the wording is unfamiliar.
4. Take practice questions, then go back to the manual for anything you got wrong.
5. Aim to know the manual well enough to miss no more than 8 of the 40 questions.

How other states set up their tests: US permit test by state.

Common questions

How many questions are on the New Hampshire written test?

40, according to the New Hampshire Driver’s Manual (Rev. 07/24). The test stops once you get more than 8 wrong, so you need 32 correct.

Do I need a permit before the NH written test?

No. New Hampshire has no permit. You take the knowledge test when you apply for your license.

Can I take the test in another language?

Yes. The automated test comes in English, American Sign Language, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Farsi and Mandarin Chinese, in written and audio form. Ask NH DMV about other languages when you book.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. All testing is by appointment.

What happens if I fail?

You cannot schedule the road test until you pass. You will get a retest appointment no sooner than 10 days after the failed test. Ask NH DMV about any retest fee.

Can I take the written test before I finish driver’s ed?

Under 18, you apply for your license with your driver education certificate and driving log, so finish both first. See New Hampshire driver’s ed requirements.

Back to the full guide: Learning to drive in New Hampshire. Next step: New Hampshire road test guide.

Sources

• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Licensing Requirements for Minors” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Apply for a New Hampshire Driver License Under 18” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Licensing Testing Requirements” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Important Appointment Information/Required Documents” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “New Hampshire Driver’s Manual” DSMV 360, Rev. 07/24 (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “Saf-C 1000 Driver License” (gc.nh.gov)

Photo: SayCheeeeeese, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

New Hampshire has no learner’s permit. From 15½ you can practice with a qualifying adult, and at 16 you can apply for a Youth Operator license once you have finished driver education, logged 40 supervised hours (10 at night) and passed the vision, knowledge and road tests. This guide is for New Hampshire teens and parents and walks through each step, the rules that apply until 21, and where to read more.

Key facts: getting a license in New Hampshire

• Practice driving: from age 15½, no permit needed. Carry proof of age.
• Supervisor: a parent or legal guardian, or another responsible licensed adult aged 25 or older.
• Driver education: required under 18. At least 30 hours classroom, 10 hours driving with a certified instructor, 6 hours observation.
• Supervised driving: 40 extra hours, at least 10 at night.
• First license: earliest at 16. It is a Youth Operator license that expires on your 21st birthday.
• Tests: vision, knowledge and road test, all by appointment.

Step by step: from 15½ to a New Hampshire license

1. Start practicing at 15½. Drive only with a qualifying supervisor beside you, and keep proof of age in the car. How it works: No learner’s permit in New Hampshire: how teen practice driving works.
2. Enroll in driver education. You must be 15 years 9 months by the first classroom session, or turn 16 on or before the last one. Details: New Hampshire driver’s ed requirements.
3. Log 40 supervised hours, including 10 at night, alongside or after the course.
4. Collect your paperwork: the original green Driver Education Completion Certificate, the signed parent or guardian authorization, and the signed driving log.
5. Book an appointment and pass the vision and knowledge tests: New Hampshire written driving test explained.
6. Pass the road test: New Hampshire road test guide.
7. Get your license. You leave with a 60-day paper license and the card is mailed to you.

New Hampshire licensing timeline

Age	What you can do
15½	Practice driving with a qualifying adult; no permit
15 years 9 months	Earliest age to start driver education classroom sessions (or turn 16 by the last session)
16	Apply for a Youth Operator license
16 to 20	Youth Operator rules apply; stricter demerit point thresholds
21	Youth Operator license expires on your birthday

Youth Operator rules in New Hampshire

• No driving between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.
• No more occupants than there are seat belts.
• First 6 months: no more than one passenger under 25 who is not a family member, unless a licensed adult aged 25 or older is with you.
• Under 18: no phone or other mobile electronic device at all while driving, hands-free or not, except to report an emergency.

Full explanation and what happens if you break them: New Hampshire Youth Operator license restrictions. How New Hampshire compares with other states: GDL laws by state.

Demerit points, suspension and revocation

Points go on your record when you are convicted of a moving violation. Each offense carries 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 points, and points show on a certified copy of your record for 3 years from the date of the violation.

Your age	1 calendar year	2 calendar years	3 calendar years
Under 18	6 points: suspension up to 3 months	12 points: up to 6 months	18 points: up to 1 year
18 to under 21	9 points	15 points	21 points

• Using a phone while driving under 18 carries 4 points.
• Two or more speeding convictions in your first 2 years as a Youth Operator mean you must carry an SR-22 insurance filing for 3 years.
• An approved driver improvement course can cut the points counted toward a suspension by 3. The points stay on your record.
• For a driver under 20, the DMV can also suspend or revoke the license after a hearing for certain offenses: 20 days for a first offense, 45 days for a second and 90 days for a third or later. Misuse of the license, or a crash causing death or serious injury, can also lead to action.
• Habitual offenders lose their license for 1 to 4 years. Driving after being declared a habitual offender can mean 1 to 5 years in prison.

How points work across the US: US points systems and license suspensions. Alcohol rules for under-21 drivers: zero tolerance laws.

Two New Hampshire rules that differ from other states

Seat belts

Everyone under 18 must be buckled up, and that includes a driver under 18. The driver is responsible for passengers under 18. A child under 7 who is shorter than 57 inches must ride in an approved child restraint. According to the NH Office of Highway Safety, New Hampshire has no adult seat belt law, but wearing one is still the single best protection in a crash. Background: US seat belt and car seat laws.

Car insurance

The New Hampshire Insurance Department says state law does not require you to buy auto insurance. If you cause a crash, though, you must meet the state’s financial responsibility requirements, and failing to do so can lead to a license suspension. Most families add a new driver to an existing policy. Compare with other states: car insurance for new drivers.

Tests, vision and licenses

• Vision: 20/40 in both eyes, or 20/30 if you have sight in only one eye. If you need glasses or contacts to pass, you must wear them to drive (restriction B). Fail the vision test and you need an eye doctor’s report before testing continues.
• Knowledge test: 40 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes. More than 8 wrong ends the test.
• Road test: about 20 minutes with a Licensing Examiner, who gives instructions but cannot coach you.
• Retest: no sooner than 10 days after a failed knowledge or road test.
• Licenses renew every 5 years on your birthday. Moving here, you have 60 days to get a New Hampshire license, and with a valid out-of-state license you usually take only the vision test.

New Hampshire road rules worth memorizing

• Speed limits unless posted: 30 mph in business and urban residence districts, 35 mph in rural residence districts, 55 mph on most other roads, 65 mph on 4-lane divided interstates and turnpikes, and 70 mph on I-93 from mile marker 45 to Vermont. The interstate minimum is 45 mph in good conditions.
• Posted school zones: 10 mph below the usual limit from 45 minutes before school opens and for 45 minutes after it closes.
• Signal at least 100 feet before a turn, and at least 500 feet before changing lanes or exiting on a highway.
• Headlights: from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and whenever rain, snow or fog stops you seeing people and vehicles 1,000 feet ahead.
• Following distance: at least 4 seconds, including behind a motorcycle. Tailgating is a finable offense.
• School buses: stop at least 25 feet away, from any direction, when a bus has red lights flashing or its stop arm out, unless a physical barrier separates the roadway. Stay stopped until the bus moves or the lights stop.
• Railroad crossings: when a train is coming, stop behind the stop line or between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.
• Bicycles: leave at least 3 feet when passing at 30 mph or less, plus 1 more foot for every 10 mph above 30.
• Blind pedestrians: come to a complete stop for anyone with a white cane or harnessed guide dog trying to cross. Never honk or yell.
• Fire trucks: do not follow closer than 500 feet when lights or siren are on, and do not drive or park in the block where one has stopped for a fire.
• Move-over law (RSA 265:37-a): give a wide berth or change to a lane not next to a stopped emergency or roadside vehicle, and slow down.
• Horses: slow down and pass with care. Do not sound the horn or rev the engine near one.
• Snow and ice: clear your vehicle before driving. Under Jessica’s Law, snow or ice that endangers others can be charged as negligent driving, with a $250 to $500 fine for a first offense.
• Parking: not within 15 feet of a hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign or signal, or 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing; not within 20 feet of a fire station driveway, or 75 feet on the opposite side. Turn off the engine and take the key when you leave the car.
• Loads: a load must be secured so nothing can slide, fall or blow off.
• Crashes: if there is a death, an injury or more than $1,000 in combined damage, file an Operator Accident Report (DSMV 400) with the DMV within 15 days, unless a police officer investigated the crash.
• Alcohol: the limit is 0.08, or 0.02 under 21. Under 21 you may not carry alcohol in the car unless a parent, legal guardian or spouse of legal age is with you. A first DUI conviction is a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of at least $500 and loss of your license for 9 months to 2 years.
• Phones: hand-held use is banned for everyone. Drivers 18 and older may use hands-free and built-in devices.

What else to study: rules of the road and signs

The knowledge test is based on the New Hampshire Driver’s Manual. Read the current edition from NH DMV in full. These general US guides cover the same ground:

• Signs: US road signs by shape and color
• Signals: US traffic signals
• Road lines: US pavement markings
• Right of way: four-way stops and roundabouts
• Speed: the basic speed law
• Parking: US parking rules
• Sharing the road: motorcycles, bicycles and trucks, school buses, move over laws
• Winter: driving in snow, fog and rain
• Phones: hands-free and texting laws
• After a crash: what to do after a car accident

Common questions

Do you need a learner’s permit in New Hampshire?

No. New Hampshire does not issue one. From 15½ you can drive with a qualifying supervisor as long as you carry proof of age.

How old do you have to be to get a license in New Hampshire?

16, with driver education, 40 supervised hours and a parent or guardian’s written permission if you are under 18. Proof of insurance coverage must also be shown when someone under 18 applies, unless they are emancipated by marriage.

Is driver’s ed required in New Hampshire?

Yes, for anyone under 18 applying for a license.

When does a Youth Operator license become a full license?

It expires on your 21st birthday. Ask NH DMV about renewing to an adult license before then.

Can I drive in another state without a permit card?

Other states set their own rules for out-of-state learners. Check before you go: driving with a learner’s permit in another state.

I am moving to New Hampshire with a license from another state. What applies?

If you are under 18, you must still meet New Hampshire’s minor requirements, including driver education. General steps: transferring your license to another state.

Where can I compare New Hampshire with other states?

See how to get a driver’s license in the US and supervised driving hours by state.

Sources

• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Licensing Requirements for Minors” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “New Hampshire Driver’s Manual” DSMV 360, Rev. 07/24 (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Education” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Demerit Points” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Youth Operator Restrictions & Violations – Under 20” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “RSA 263:14 Original and Youth Operators’ Licenses” (gc.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “RSA 263:19 Driver Education” (gc.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “RSA 265:79-c Use of Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving” (gc.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “RSA 265:107-a Child Passenger Restraints Required” (gc.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety, “Triennial Highway Safety Plan” (highwaysafety.dos.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Insurance Department, “Automobile Insurance Consumer Guide” (nh.gov)

Photo: AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

New Hampshire has no learner’s permit, so the “permit test” is really the NH DMV knowledge test you take when you apply for your first license. It is multiple choice, and NH DMV says knowledge exams need a passing grade of 80%. This page gives you 30 original practice questions, starting with the New Hampshire rules that national quizzes get wrong. They are unofficial and are not NH DMV questions.

New Hampshire knowledge test: key facts

• 40 multiple-choice questions on a touch screen, with 40 minutes to finish.
• Pass mark: 80%. The test ends once you get more than 8 wrong, so you need 32 of 40 (Driver’s Manual, Rev. 07/24).
• If you fail, you can ask for a retest appointment no sooner than 10 days later.
• Under 18, you take it after driver education and your 40 supervised hours, before the road test.

What to bring and how the appointment works: New Hampshire written driving test explained.

Part 1: New Hampshire rules (questions 1 to 10)

Get these right first. They are specific to New Hampshire and come straight from state law.

1. How does a 15½-year-old practice driving on public roads in New Hampshire?

• A. With a learner’s permit card from NH DMV
• B. Only in a driving school car
• C. With a qualifying adult in the car and proof of age on hand, because NH has no permit
• D. Practice on public roads is not allowed before 16

Answer: C. New Hampshire issues no permit. Carry proof of age every time you drive. See how teen practice driving works in New Hampshire. Topic: minors.

2. If your supervisor is not your parent or legal guardian, they must be a licensed adult aged at least:

• A. 18
• B. 21
• C. 30
• D. 25

Answer: D. A responsible licensed adult 25 or older. Topic: minors.

3. How many supervised hours must an under-18 applicant log before a New Hampshire license?

• A. 40, including 10 at night
• B. 20, including 5 at night
• C. 50, including 10 at night
• D. 60, including 15 at night

Answer: A. 40 hours on top of the 10 driving hours in driver education, with at least 10 at night. Topic: minors.

4. A Youth Operator license holder may not drive between:

• A. Midnight and 5 a.m.
• B. 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.
• C. 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• D. 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Answer: B. RSA 263:14 sets 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. and lists no work exception. See Youth Operator restrictions. Topic: Youth Operator license.

5. For the first 6 months of a Youth Operator license, how many non-family passengers under 25 may you carry with no licensed adult 25+ in the car?

• A. None
• B. Two
• C. One
• D. Three

Answer: C. One, unless a licensed adult aged 25 or older is with you. Family members do not count. Topic: Youth Operator license.

6. A Youth Operator license expires:

• A. On your 21st birthday
• B. After 6 months
• C. On your 18th birthday
• D. After 1 year

Answer: A. It is issued at 16 to under 21 and runs to the 21st birthday. Topic: Youth Operator license.

7. A 17-year-old New Hampshire driver wants to make a hands-free phone call while driving. This is:

• A. Legal with Bluetooth
• B. Legal at red lights
• C. Legal on highways only
• D. Illegal, except to report an emergency to 911 or another public safety agency

Answer: D. Under RSA 265:79-c, drivers under 18 may not use any device, hands-free or not, even when stopped in traffic. Hands-free GPS directions are allowed. Topic: distracted driving.

8. For adult drivers in New Hampshire, the device law bans:

• A. Nothing
• B. Hand-held use while driving
• C. Only texting on highways
• D. Radios

Answer: B. Hand-held use is banned for every driver. A first offense is a $100 fine plus penalty assessment. Topic: distracted driving.

9. A Youth Operator may carry how many people in the car?

• A. No more than there are seat belts
• B. Up to 6
• C. Any number if they are family
• D. Any number after 6 months

Answer: A. Occupants may never exceed the number of seat belts. Everyone under 18 must be belted, including the driver. Topic: Youth Operator license and seat belts.

10. An NH driver under 18 who collects 6 demerit points in one calendar year can face:

• A. No action until 12 points
• B. A warning letter only
• C. Suspension of up to 3 months
• D. A permanent ban

Answer: C. From 18 to under 21 the first threshold is 9 points. A driver improvement course reduces the points counted by 3. Topic: demerit points.

Part 2: Signs, signals and markings (questions 11 to 18)

11. A sign with eight sides always means:

• A. Yield
• B. Stop
• C. School zone
• D. Railroad

Answer: B. Only stop signs are octagons. Topic: signs.

12. Black-on-yellow diamond signs are:

• A. Warning signs
• B. Guide signs
• C. Service signs
• D. Speed limit signs

Answer: A. They warn of curves, hills, merges and other changes ahead. Topic: signs.

13. Orange signs and barrels mean:

• A. A recreation area
• B. Hospital ahead
• C. A school crossing
• D. A work zone, so slow down and watch for workers

Answer: D. Orange is the color for construction and maintenance areas. Topic: signs.

14. A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means:

• A. Passing is allowed with care
• B. You must turn left
• C. Do not cross it to pass
• D. Bus lane

Answer: C. You may pass only where the broken line is on your side and it is safe. Topic: pavement markings.

15. A steady yellow light means:

• A. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you safely can
• B. Speed up to clear the intersection
• C. Yield to pedestrians only
• D. Proceed at normal speed

Answer: A. Do not try to beat it. Topic: signals.

16. A flashing yellow left-turn arrow means:

• A. Left turns are banned
• B. Your turn is protected
• C. Stop, then wait for green
• D. You may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians

Answer: D. Oncoming traffic may have a green light, so find a safe gap. Topic: signals.

17. A round yellow sign with a black X and RR warns of:

• A. A railroad crossing ahead
• B. A road closure
• C. An intersection
• D. A rest area

Answer: A. Slow down, look and listen. Topic: signs, railroad crossings.

18. Traffic lights are out at an intersection because of a power failure. You should:

• A. Drive through at normal speed
• B. Treat it as an all-way stop
• C. Yield only to trucks
• D. Honk and go

Answer: B. Stop, then go in turn when it is safe. Topic: signals.

Part 3: Right of way and rules of the road (questions 19 to 25)

19. Two cars reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time. Who yields?

• A. The car on the right
• B. The faster car
• C. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
• D. Whoever honks first goes

Answer: C. Yield to the vehicle on your right when you arrive together. Topic: right of way.

20. At a roundabout you should:

• A. Yield to traffic already in the circle and drive counterclockwise
• B. Stop inside the circle
• C. Drive clockwise
• D. Pass large trucks inside the circle

Answer: A. Slow down, yield on entry, and signal as you exit. Topic: right of way, roundabouts.

21. A school bus stops ahead with red lights flashing. Traffic behind it must:

• A. Pass on the left slowly
• B. Stop only if children are visible
• C. Stop and stay stopped until the lights stop flashing and the bus moves on
• D. Sound the horn

Answer: C. Traffic behind a stopped bus with flashing red lights always stops. In New Hampshire, traffic from any direction must stop at least 25 feet away unless a physical barrier separates the roadway. Topic: school buses.

22. An ambulance with siren and lights approaches. You should:

• A. Speed up
• B. Pull to the right and stop, keeping clear of intersections
• C. Stop in your lane immediately
• D. Follow closely behind it

Answer: B. Let it pass, then check before rejoining traffic. Topic: emergency vehicles.

23. You are turning right and a pedestrian is crossing the street you are turning into. You must:

• A. Go first because you have a green light
• B. Honk to warn them
• C. Swing around them
• D. Yield to the pedestrian

Answer: D. Pedestrians in the crosswalk have the right of way, marked or unmarked. Topic: pedestrians.

24. The road is wet and visibility is poor. The legal speed is:

• A. The posted limit
• B. 10 mph over to clear the area
• C. A speed that is reasonable and safe for the conditions, which may be below the limit
• D. 25 mph on every road

Answer: C. Posted limits are for good conditions. Topic: speed.

25. A simple way to check your following distance is to:

• A. Count seconds from when the car ahead passes a fixed point until you reach it
• B. Keep one car length at any speed
• C. Follow close enough to read the car ahead’s plate
• D. Use your horn

Answer: A. Leave more time at higher speeds, at night and on slippery roads. Topic: space management.

Part 4: Alcohol, emergencies and winter (questions 26 to 30)

26. Which is true about alcohol and drivers under 21?

• A. The 0.08 adult limit applies to them
• B. A much lower limit applies, so any drinking before driving can cost you your license
• C. Beer does not count
• D. It only matters after a crash

Answer: B. In New Hampshire the limit under 21 is 0.02, compared with 0.08 for adults. See zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21. Topic: alcohol.

27. What actually sobers a person up?

• A. Coffee
• B. A cold shower
• C. Food
• D. Time

Answer: D. The body removes alcohol at a steady rate that nothing speeds up. Topic: alcohol.

28. Your car starts to skid on an icy curve. You should:

• A. Ease off the gas and steer gently where you want to go
• B. Brake hard
• C. Turn the wheel sharply the other way
• D. Accelerate

Answer: A. Smooth inputs help the tires regain grip. Topic: emergencies, winter driving.

29. A tire blows out at highway speed. What should you do first?

• A. Brake hard at once
• B. Pull straight onto the shoulder
• C. Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas and slow down gradually
• D. Turn off the engine

Answer: C. Keep the car straight, then pull off when you are under control. Topic: emergencies.

30. When should you use low beams instead of high beams at night?

• A. Never on rural roads
• B. When oncoming vehicles approach or you are following another vehicle
• C. Only in rain
• D. Only in towns

Answer: B. Dip your lights so you do not dazzle other drivers, and use low beams in fog and snow. Topic: night driving.

How did you do?

Score out of 30	What it means against the 80% standard
27 to 30	Ready for the real test
24 to 26	At the 80% line. Review your misses.
Under 24	Below 80%. Reread the manual, Part 1 rules first.

Any wrong answer in Part 1 matters most: those rules apply to you every time you drive as a Youth Operator. After you pass, the road test comes next; the steps are in the New Hampshire guide linked below.

Common questions

Are these the real NH DMV questions?

No. These are original, unofficial practice questions. Study the current New Hampshire Driver’s Manual, which the real test is based on.

How many questions are on the New Hampshire knowledge test?

40, according to the Driver’s Manual (Rev. 07/24). You have 40 minutes and need 80%, so the test ends once you get more than 8 wrong.

Do I need a permit to take the NH knowledge test?

No. New Hampshire has no permit. You take the test as part of applying for your license.

What happens if I fail?

The test ends automatically if you run out of time or miss too many questions. You can ask for a retest no sooner than 10 days later.

Can I take the test in another language?

NH DMV offers the knowledge test in several languages and provides interpreters for some others. Ask when you book.

Where are practice tests for other states?

See US permit practice tests. The full New Hampshire route is in learning to drive in New Hampshire.

Sources

• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Licensing Testing Requirements” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Licensing Requirements for Minors” (dmv.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “RSA 263:14, Youth Operator License” (gc.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “RSA 265:79-c, Use of Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving” (gc.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire General Court, “Saf-C 1000, Driver License” (gc.nh.gov)
• New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, “New Hampshire Driver’s Manual” DSMV 360, Rev. 07/24 (dmv.nh.gov)