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New Hampshire driving lesson · Driving in New Hampshire

Getting licensed in NH

A 3-minute lesson from the New Hampshire course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Driving in New Hampshire
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
8, 9

New Hampshire does not issue learner's permits. Instead, the law lets you practice driving without a license once you're old enough, as long as a qualified adult rides with you. Teens also need driver education before they can apply.

New residents and visitors have their own rules: how long you have to switch your license, and who can keep driving on an out-of-state license.

15 ½

Minimum age to drive while being taught, without a license

Handbook p. 9 ↗

Know the rule

While practicing, you must be accompanied by a parent, a legal guardian, or a licensed responsible adult who is 25 or older.

Handbook p. 9 ↗

Know the rule

The practice-driving exception does not apply to anyone whose driving privileges are suspended or revoked in NH or any other state.

Handbook p. 9 ↗

Driver education (required at age 16 or 17, RSA 263:19)

Driver education (required at age 16 or 17, RSA 263:19)
RequirementHoursWith whom
Classroom instruction30 hoursCertified driver ed instructor
Practice driving10 hoursCertified driver ed instructor
Driving observation6 hoursCertified driver ed instructor
Supervised driving (10 hours at night)40 hoursParent, guardian or responsible adult
Handbook p. 8 ↗
60 days

Time a new resident has to get an NH license after moving in

Handbook p. 8 ↗

One License Concept

RSA 263:4: new residents must surrender every valid driver license from any other jurisdiction when applying for an NH license.

Handbook p. 8 ↗

Know the rule

An NH license application is not accepted while your privileges are suspended or revoked in any other state, until they are reinstated.

Handbook p. 8 ↗

Exempt from getting an NH license:

  • Non-residents who hold a valid license from their home state
  • US military members stationed in NH who hold a valid license from their home state
  • Foreign tourists visiting the US who hold a valid license from their home country
Handbook p. 8 ↗

Know the rule

A non-resident driving in NH must have a valid out-of-state license, or be at least 15 ½ and accompanied by a licensed responsible adult age 25 or older.

Handbook p. 9 ↗

Know the rule

No one may drive in NH while their privileges are suspended or revoked, even if they hold a license from another state.

Handbook p. 9 ↗

Put it into practice

Your 15 ½-year-old cousin wants to practice with her 22-year-old licensed brother. Not allowed: the supervisor must be a parent, legal guardian, or a licensed adult 25 or older.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

How many days does a new resident have to obtain a New Hampshire driver's license after moving to the state?
  1. 90 days
  2. 30 days
  3. 15 days
  4. 60 days

Answer: 60 days

New residents have up to 60 days to get an NH license after moving in.

Handbook p. 8 ↗
Under NH's 'One License Concept,' what must a new resident do when applying for a New Hampshire license?
  1. Retake driver education
  2. Pay a duplicate license fee
  3. Surrender all valid licenses from other states
  4. Keep their out-of-state license active for one year

Answer: Surrender all valid licenses from other states

RSA 263:4 requires new residents to surrender all valid licenses from other jurisdictions.

Handbook p. 8 ↗
New Hampshire does not issue learner's permits. Instead, how old must a person be to practice driving with a qualified adult?
  1. At least 14 years old
  2. At least 16 years old
  3. At least 15 1/2 years old
  4. At least 17 years old

Answer: At least 15 1/2 years old

NH allows practice driving at 15 1/2 when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or a licensed adult 25 or older.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
Who may legally supervise a 15 1/2-year-old who is practicing driving without a license in New Hampshire?
  1. Any licensed adult at least 18 years old
  2. A sibling with any valid license
  3. Any adult passenger regardless of license status
  4. A parent, guardian, or licensed adult 25+

Answer: A parent, guardian, or licensed adult 25+

The supervising adult must be a parent, legal guardian, or a licensed driver who is at least 25.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
How many hours of classroom instruction are required in an approved NH driver education program?
  1. 20 hours
  2. 30 hours
  3. 40 hours
  4. 15 hours

Answer: 30 hours

Driver education requires 30 hours of classroom instruction with a certified instructor.

Handbook p. 8 ↗
Of the 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent or guardian required after driver education, how many must be completed at night?
  1. 10 hours
  2. 20 hours
  3. 5 hours
  4. 2 hours

Answer: 10 hours

Of the 40 hours of supervised driving, 10 hours must be completed at night.

Handbook p. 8 ↗
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