New Driver Checklist

New Hampshire Driving Permit Test Requirements

A driving permit is not issued in the state of New Hampshire (NH). Teens and adults between the ages of 16 and 21 years old are issued a youth operator drivers license. All drivers, including teens and adults, must meet permit test requirements in order to get a drivers license in the state.

Although NH does not issue a drivers permit or a learners permit, teens between the ages of 16 and 18 years old must complete a driver education course. The driver education course must:

• Be approved by the NH Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• Consist of 30 hours of classroom training and at least 10 hours of actual driving.
• Have a licensed instructor (aged 25 years or older) demonstrate driving skills to the teen for a minimum of six hours.

At the end of the certified driving course, teen drivers receive a Driver Education Certificate. Post the certified training, teens are required to drive for at least 40 additional hours. Each time that they drive a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old must sit next to them in the front seat.

High schools in NH offer certified driving courses. Non-public school certified driving courses that are approved by the NH DMV are listed at the Bureau’s official website. You can address driving education questions to the NH DMV by dialing (603) 271-2485.

Additional NH Youth Operator License Requirements

Teens or their parents must have liability auto insurance on motor vehicles that each licensed driver in their family operates. Minimum liability insurance required in NH is:

• $25,000 to cover injury or death for one person.
• $50,000 to cover injury or death for two or more persons.
• $25,000 to cover damages to another person’s property during a motor vehicle accident.

Pass the written examination and the vision screening test. You need 20/40 vision or better in both eyes to pass the vision screening.

If you are legally blind in one eye, bring a doctor’s note to the licensing center that states this. Vision requirements for people who are legally blind in one eye is 20/30 or better in one eye.

Tell the driving center professional who test your vision if you need to wear corrective lenses to pass the vision test.  Keep in mind that should you need to wear corrective lenses to pass the test, you will be required to wear corrective lenses each time that you operate a motor vehicle in the state.

The NH permit test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions. Read the NH Driver’s Manual thoroughly so that you become familiar with the state’s driving and roadway rules and regulations. Take the practice permit test at the back of the manual to prepare for the written examination. Consider studying with a friend or family member. Show up to the driver licensing center early.