An emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches from behind. You should:

Pull to the right edge of the road and stop

A school bus on a two-lane road has its red lights flashing and stop arm out. You must:

Stop, whether you are behind it or approaching from the front

New Hampshire DMV Permit Practice Test

Practice free with questions based on the official New Hampshire driver handbook, with every answer explained.

Updated on 2026-11-06 · Ver en español

DMVPermitUSA is an independent study tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles or any other government agency. Requirements were checked against official New Hampshire sources (listed below) and can change: always confirm with the DMV before your test.

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New Hampshire permit test at a glance

Agency	New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Passing score	80% correct answers
Minimum permit age	15½ years old
Supervised driving	40 hours with a parent, guardian or other licensed adult, including 10 at night, on top of driver education.
Provisional license from	age 16
Full license	at 18
Test languages	Offered in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Portuguese, Farsi and American Sign Language; interpreters for other languages are allowed only at the Concord DMV.
Official handbook	New Hampshire Driver's Manual

Try 5 New Hampshire permit test questions

In New Hampshire, what is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers 21 and over? 0.02% / 0.05% / 0.08% / 0.10%. Answer: 0.08%. As in almost every state, the limit in New Hampshire is 0.08% for drivers 21 and over; 0.04% for commercial drivers, and zero tolerance under 21.
When is it legal to drive faster than the posted speed limit? When passing / When traffic is light / Never / On an empty highway at night. Answer: Never. The posted limit is the maximum in ideal conditions. You must drive slower when weather, traffic or visibility require it (the basic speed law).
What does a red octagonal sign mean? Yield / Stop completely / Slow down / No entry. Answer: Stop completely. The eight-sided red sign is always STOP. Stop completely at the stop line, before the crosswalk or before entering the intersection, then go when it is safe.
An emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches from behind. You should: Speed up to clear the way / Pull to the right edge of the road and stop / Stop in your lane immediately / Keep driving at the same speed. Answer: Pull to the right edge of the road and stop. Pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.
A school bus on a two-lane road has its red lights flashing and stop arm out. You must: Pass slowly on the left / Stop, whether you are behind it or approaching from the front / Stop only if you are behind it / Honk to warn the children. Answer: Stop, whether you are behind it or approaching from the front. On an undivided road, traffic in both directions stops until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted. Rules for divided highways vary by state.

How the New Hampshire DMV permit test works

The New Hampshire knowledge test is a multiple-choice exam based on the official DMV handbook, the New Hampshire Driver's Manual. To pass you need 80% correct answers.

State rules allow up to 50 multiple-choice questions, chosen according to the license class requested.

Multiple choice on a touch-screen system at a DMV office, by appointment; the test has a time limit and ends early if you run out of time or miss too many questions.

After a failed test, you must wait 10 calendar days before retesting.

Offered in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Portuguese, Farsi and American Sign Language; interpreters for other languages are allowed only at the Concord DMV.

New Hampshire learner's permit requirements

In New Hampshire you can apply for a learner's permit at 15½. Applicants under 18 usually need a parent or guardian's consent.

Applicants under 18 need an approved driver education program: at least 30 hours of classroom, 10 hours of driving with a certified instructor and 6 hours of observation.

Supervised driving required: 40 hours with a parent, guardian or other licensed adult, including 10 at night, on top of driver education.

Proof of identity and date of birth (such as a birth certificate or passport).
Your Social Security number, if you have one.
Proof of New Hampshire residency.
A vision screening and the knowledge test.

The DMV publishes the exact document list: check it before your appointment, especially if you want a REAL ID-compliant card.

New Hampshire graduated driver licensing (GDL)

After the learner stage and the road test, teens can get a provisional (intermediate) license from age 16.

Youth operators under 18 may not drive from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. For the first 6 months, no more than one non-family passenger under 25 unless a licensed adult 25 or older is in the car. The youth operator license itself runs until age 21.

Restrictions end and you hold a full, unrestricted license at 18, provided your record stays clean.

New Hampshire rules worth knowing for the test

Signs and most rules are the same nationwide, but each state has its own laws — and the DMV test asks about them.

New Hampshire has no learner's permit: from age 15½, a teen may practice driving when accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian or adult 25 or older in the front seat, carrying proof of age.
Drivers under 18 may not use a phone or other mobile device at all while driving, even hands-free, except to report an emergency.
For all drivers, using a handheld electronic device while driving or stopped in traffic is illegal; hands-free devices are allowed for adults.

What the New Hampshire knowledge test covers

Topics follow the chapters of the DMV handbook. These are the ones asked most often:

Road signs by shape and color (federal MUTCD standard): see the road signs guide.
Right-of-way at 4-way stops, left turns, crosswalks and for emergency vehicles: right-of-way rules.
Speed limits in mph and the 3-second following rule: speed guide.
Alcohol and drugs: the 0.08% BAC limit, zero tolerance under 21 and implied consent.
Traffic signals and pavement markings, parking, passing, and sharing the road with cyclists, motorcycles and trucks.

How to study for the New Hampshire permit test

Read the official DMV handbook once cover to cover, then take practice tests by topic to find your weak spots. Once you consistently score above 90%, take a full timed mock exam.

Drill the numbers — ages, distances, speed and BAC limits — they are the most-missed questions. More tips in how to pass the permit test.

How to get your learner's permit in New Hampshire

Check the minimum age In New Hampshire, you can apply for a learner's permit at 15½.
Complete the required course Applicants under 18 need an approved driver education program: at least 30 hours of classroom, 10 hours of driving with a certified instructor and 6 hours of observation.
Study the handbook and practice Read the official DMV handbook and take practice tests until you pass comfortably.
Gather your documents Proof of identity, Social Security number and New Hampshire residency; parental consent if under 18.
Pass the vision and knowledge tests To pass you need 80% correct answers.
Drive supervised Supervised driving: 40 hours with a parent, guardian or other licensed adult, including 10 at night, on top of driver education.
Take the road test From age 16 you can get a provisional license.

New Hampshire permit test FAQ

What score do you need to pass the New Hampshire permit test?

You need 80% correct answers.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in New Hampshire?

You can apply at 15½. Applicants under 18 usually need a parent or guardian's consent.

How long do you have to hold your permit in New Hampshire?

Supervised driving required: 40 hours with a parent, guardian or other licensed adult, including 10 at night, on top of driver education.

Can I take the New Hampshire permit test in Spanish?