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new new hampshire drivers license - NH

At what age can I obtain a driver license?

16 years of age, provided you have successfully completed a driver education course.

WHO NEEDS A NEW HAMPSHIRE DRIVER LICENSE?

• New Hampshire residents who wish to drive a motor vehicle.
•  New residents - people who move to New Hampshire - are allowed 
up to 60 days to obtain a New Hampshire driver license.

WHO DOES NOT NEED A NEW HAMPSHIRE DRIVER LICENSE?

•  Non-residents who hold a valid driver license from their resident 
state.
•  Members of the Armed Forces stationed in New Hampshire who 
hold a valid driver license from their home state.
•  Foreign citizens who are strictly tourists in the United States and 
hold a valid driver license from their home country accompanied by 
an international license issued by the home country.
•  Students who are enrolled full time at a school or college in New 
Hampshire and have a valid driver license from their home state.
•  NOTE: Non-resident drivers must be at least 16 years of age and may 
drive only those classes of vehicles that their license allows.
•  (EXCEPTION: If your privilege to drive in New Hampshire is under 
suspension or revocation, you are NOT allowed to drive in this state 
with an out-of-state license under any condition.)
AGE REQUIREMENT
You must be at least 16 years of age to get a New Hampshire driver 
license. Persons 16 and 17 years of age may get a New Hampshire driver 
license only if she or he has passed an approved driver education program. 
Persons under 18 years of age cannot get a commercial driver license.

YOUTH OPERATOR LICENSE

• Any person 16 years of age or older and under 21 years of age will 
be issued a YOUTH OPERATOR license. All youth operator licenses 
will expire on the holder’s 21st birthday.
• In addition to any other restrictions, the holder of a YOUTH 
OPERATOR license who is under 18 years of age:
1. Shall not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 1:00 a.m. 
and 4:00 a.m. 
2. During the first 6 months after issuance of the license, the holder 
shall not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger 
less than 25 years of age who is not a member of the holder’s 
family unless accompanied by a licensed responsible adult who 
is at least 25 years of age.
3. Shall not operate a motor vehicle with more passengers than there 
are seat belts/safety restraints in a vehicle.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A DRIVER LICENSE

Applications for a driver license are available at any office of the Division 
of Motor Vehicles or online at www.nh.gov/dmv. This application must 
be completely filled out and presented to the clerk with the proper fee. 
Applicants under the age of 18 wishing to obtain a motorcycle license shall 
successfully complete a program authorized pursuant to RSA 263:34-b.
Persons under 18 years of age must also include a driver education 
certificate, which you will get from the driver education instructor and 
a Parent or Guardian Authorization certificate (DSMV 38) which you 
will also get from the driver education instructor or from the Division 
of Motor Vehicles.
If you are applying for your first motorcycle license at the same time as 
you apply for an operator or commercial driver license, you must complete 
two applications and pay the proper fees.

PRACTICE DRIVING

A person who has not held a prior license may practice driving a noncommercial vehicle on New Hampshire roadways provided s/he has attained 
the age of 151/2 carries proof of age, and is accompanied in the front seat 
by a parent, legal guardian, or other licensed adult who is 25 years of age 
or older.
A person who is under 18 years of age is required to complete 40 hours 
of supervised practice driving, in addition to the 10 hours required by driver 
education. The 40 hours must be logged and supervised by a parent, or 
legal guardian, or if there is no parent or legal guardian, a licensed adult 
over the age of 25. At least 10 hours of the supervised driving time shall be 
completed during the period from ½ hour after sunset to ½ before sunrise. 
Motorcycle license applicants are exempt from the additional 40 hours of 
driving time, provided s/he successfully completed the Motorcycle Rider
Education Training, offered by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR DRIVER TEST

• All driver licenses issued to you by any state. 
• Two forms of positive identification: documents that show your 
name, address, and date of birth (in most cases a photo license from 
another state and an original birth certificate is acceptable).
• A vehicle which is legally registered, inspected (if required) and in 
safe running condition. The vehicle must be of the proper class for 
the type of license you are being tested for.
• A licensed driver to drive the test vehicle for you to and from the 
testing site. That person should remain at the test site until the road 
test has been completed. (If you are properly licensed by another 
state or country and have a valid International License issued in that 
country you may drive yourself to the testing site.)

ONE LICENSE CONCEPT

If you hold an out-of-state license, you will not be issued your New Hampshire driver license until such time as you turn in any and all out-of-state 
licenses which you hold. No person shall hold more than one valid driver 
license at any time. If you are under the age of 18, you must have completed 
driver education and training that meets the State’s minimum standards.
If your license or privileges are under suspension or revocation in any other 
state at the time you apply for a New Hampshire license, your application 
will not be accepted until you can prove that the licensing authority in that 
state has restored your privileges to drive and that your license is no longer 
under suspension or revocation. All applications for a New Hampshire driver 
license are screened through the Problem Driver Pointer System.
• Testing is conducted between the hours of 8am - 3:30pm. All testing 
is concluded by 4pm.

WHAT WILL THE DRIVER TEST INCLUDE?

• A vision test.
• A knowledge test.
• A road test.

Vision Test

The vision test will measure how clearly you see. You will be asked 
to look into an eye machine and read a series of letters or numbers. 10
To pass, you must be able to read the 20/40 vision line with both eyes. 
If you are blind in one eye, you must read the 20/30 vision line.
If you must wear glasses or contact lenses to pass the vision test, you 
will have to wear them when you drive. If you fail the vision test, no 
other part of the driver test will be given. You will have to visit an eye 
doctor to see if your vision can be corrected so that you can pass the 
vision test at a later date.

Computer based knowledge test

The knowledge test is a 40 question multiple choice test. You will have 
40 minutes to complete the test. The test is administered on a touch screen 
monitor, and no special knowledge of computers is required. Each question is displayed along with four possible answers. You must determine 
which one is correct and identify your choice by touching the letter on 
the screen which corresponds to your choice. If you miss more than 8 of 
the questions the test will automatically terminate and you may request 
an appointment to retest not sooner than ten days from the current date. 
There are no trick questions on the test and only one answer is correct. 
Please study the manual carefully. Automated oral testing with the use of 
headphones is available for persons who do not read English. If you wish 
to take advantage of this feature please notify the licensing representative 
at the time of your test. 
If you hold a valid out-of-state driver license, you do not normally have 
to take the written test. If you applied for a license to drive a different 
class of vehicle, you will have to take the written test for that class of 
vehicle and a road test. If your out-of-state license is not valid, a written and road test may be required. If your driver license was issued by a 
foreign country, a written and road test may be required.

Road test 

The road test allows the Licensing Examiner to:
• Measure your skill to drive a motor vehicle properly and safely on 
the road.
• Judge whether or not you need more practice or training before you 
get a driver license.
• Tell you what driving mistakes you are making and how to correct 
them.
Obey the instructions you are given by the Licensing Examiner. You 
will not be told to do anything that is against the law. No tricks will be 
played on you. The Licensing Examiner cannot coach you during the road 
test. If you have questions, try to ask him/her before or after the road test.11
During the road test, you will be scored on:
• Skill in handling the vehicle in traffic.
• Driving habits.
• Working knowledge and understanding of traffic signs and rules of 
the road.
• How well you physically, mentally and emotionally handle the actual 
stress of driving in traffic.
• Attitude toward driving and personal and public safety.
The road test is a sample of your driving skills. The average test will 
take 15 to 20 minutes.
To pass the road test, you must be able to show you can drive a motor 
vehicle with good control. You must possess certain basic driving skills 
and be able to demonstrate your ability to share the road with safety and 
courtesy.
No person except you and the authorized Division of Motor Vehicles 
employee can ride in the vehicle during the road test. 
The Licensing Examiner has the right to require ANY applicant to take 
the road test.

If you pass the test

As soon as you pass all 3 parts of the driver test, you will be issued 
a 60 day paper temporary license. The permanent license will be mailed 
to you within 60 days.

If you fail the test

If you fail any part of the driver test, the remainder of the test will not 
be given. A retest will be scheduled at the convenience of the division

Tests

  • Eye test
  • Knowledge test
  • Road test

Documents Needed

Each applicant shall provide:

  • An original or certified copy of his/her birth certificate, valid US Passport, Military ID or a valid out of state license/identification card and one of the following:

    Social Security Card
    Marriage Certificate, Civil Union Certificate, or its equivalent 
    Military discharge papers
    Military identification card
    Divorce Decree
    Valid School ID w/photo

    Please Note: If your name is different than what is listed on your birth certificate, you must also provide the legal document of that name change (i.e., marriage certificate, civil union certificate or its equivalent).
    • Current driver license or driver license which has expired no more than 12 months prior to the date of application.
    • Proof of residency - One of the following:

      NH Valid Registration
      Town/City Clerk Approval of Residency Letter
      Utility Bill with "service address listed" (i.e., Water, Electric, Oil/propane) 
      Mortgage Statement
      Property Tax bill
      A payroll check
      Lease or rental agreement (properly signed by both parties)

       

 

For the Latest Information. Click Below

http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/driverlic/faq.html#A1