How licensing works in New Hampshire
Most states give new drivers a learner's permit. New Hampshire does not. From 15½, you may practice on public roads with a licensed driver who is 25 or older. At 16 you can apply for a license, and drivers aged 16 to under 21 receive a Youth Operator License.
| Stage | Minimum age | Main rules |
|---|---|---|
| Practice driving (no permit) | 15½ | Drive only with a licensed driver 25 or older |
| Youth Operator License (under 18) | 16 | Driver education, 40 supervised hours (10 at night). No driving 1–4 a.m. One non-family passenger under 25 for six months |
| Youth Operator License (18 to under 21) | 18 | Night and passenger limits no longer apply. Card expires on your 21st birthday |
| Standard license | 21 | Renew for a standard horizontal card |
Requirements if you are under 18
- Finish a New Hampshire-approved driver education program.
- Complete 40 hours of supervised driving outside class, including 10 at night.
- Bring written permission from a parent or guardian.
Youth operator limits
- Under 18: no driving between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.
- First six months: only one passenger under 25 who is not family, unless a licensed adult 25 or older is in the car.
- Never carry more passengers than there are seat belts.
The New Hampshire knowledge test
To get a license you must pass three tests: a vision test, a knowledge test and a road test. You need an appointment. On the day, you pay the license fee and have your photo taken before testing.
What to bring if you are under 18
- A completed application with your legal name, date of birth and Social Security number
- Two proofs of identity from the DMV's approved list
- The original green Driver Education Completion Certificate
- A signed Parent or Guardian Authorization Certificate
- A completed Driver's Out-of-Class Log Sheet, signed by a parent or guardian, or proof from the Parent's Supervised Driving Program
When you pass, you get a 60-day temporary paper license. Your permanent license is mailed to your New Hampshire address within 60 days.
Rules specific to New Hampshire
The Youth Operator License
The youth license is easy to spot. It is printed vertically and says "Under 21 until" a date. It expires on your 21st birthday, when you can renew for a standard horizontal license.
Phones
New Hampshire bans hand-held phone use and texting for all drivers. Drivers under 18 may not use any cell phone while driving, not even hands-free. Both are primary laws, so police can stop you for a phone violation alone.
Penalties for young drivers
New Hampshire is strict with new drivers. For license holders under 20, a hearing can lead to a suspension or revocation:
| Offense | Suspension or revocation |
|---|---|
| First offense | 20 days |
| Second offense | 45 days |
| Third or later offense | 90 days |
Two or more speeding tickets in your first two years mean you must carry SR-22 proof of insurance for three years. Collecting demerit points can also lead to suspension.
Practice driving with care
Because there is no permit card, your supervising driver matters a lot. Make sure they are licensed and 25 or older, and keep your log sheet up to date after every drive. Practice at night, in rain and on highways so your 40 hours cover real conditions.
Driver education and supervised practice work together. The course teaches the rules and gives you time with an instructor, while your 40 hours with a parent or other adult build real experience. Spread those hours over several months so you see different seasons, traffic and weather.
Test tips
- Learn the key numbers: 15½, 16, 25, 40 hours, 10 at night, 1 a.m. to 4 a.m., 20/45/90 days.
- Remember that New Hampshire has no learner's permit. Questions may test this.
- Study road signs by shape and color.
- Read all options before you choose.
Next: the general rules of the road
This guide covers New Hampshire's own rules. The knowledge test also covers right-of-way, turns, passing, parking, sharing the road and road signs. Study those in our national US driving study guide, then take the full practice tests.