Obtaining your New Hampshire driver’s license starts with your being at least 15½ years old and passing a vision screening and a timed written knowledge test (it must be completed within 40 minutes). This test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions covering traffic laws, safe driving practices, road signs and signals, driving under the influence, parking rules, and vehicle equipment, as outlined in the state’s New Hampshire DMV 2025 Driver’s Manual. To pass, you must score at least 80% (32 out of 40 questions) in person at the DMV. If you fail, you must wait at least ten days to retake the test and pay the retest fee.
That’s a hefty waiting period, so use our free New Hampshire DMV permit practice test to prepare. It’s designed to simulate the real exam, with questions based on the New Hampshire DMV Driver’s Manual, updated for February 2025. Our program also offers real-time feedback on all mistakes, which has been shown to speed up the learning process.
The use of hand-held devices of any type while driving in New Hampshire is against the law for all drivers. Additionally, for minors, New Hampshire administers a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program that incrementally increases a driver’s privileges.
New Hampshire does not issue learner’s permits to student drivers. At age 15½, after passing the vision and knowledge tests, you can start driving under the supervision of your parent, guardian, or other licensed responsible adult at least 25 years of age. At age 15 years and 9 months, you can enroll in a state-approved Driver Education Course. Once you turn 16, complete the driver’s education course, and complete an additional 40 hours of supervised driving, you can move to the next step, the Youth Operator License. It comes with a few restrictions, like no driving between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM, and for the first six months, no more than one passenger under 25 unless accompanied by a licensed adult. At the age of 18, you can receive an unrestricted driver’s license.
To apply, go to the DMV with proof of identity (passport, birth certificate), proof of Social Security number, proof of New Hampshire residency (utility bill, lease agreement), and if you’re under 18, your parent or guardian’s consent and a driver’s Out-Of-Class Log Sheet. Submit the documents, pass a vision screening, pay the fee, and pass the official written test.