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New Hampshire driver's license

Get your first license in New Hampshire after moving to the US.

The short answer

Getting a first New Hampshire driver's license means passing the knowledge test, and the road test is scheduled once you pass it.1 An original license and examination costs $60 for a REAL ID compliant license and $50 for one that is not.2 If you fail the knowledge test, you wait ten calendar days before you are allowed to retake it.3 A licensed driver must drive your test vehicle to and from the test site and should stay there until you finish.4 During the road test only you and the authorized Division of Motor Vehicles examiner are in the vehicle.5

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to New Hampshire and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. 5
    Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

What it costs

A first license and the test that goes with it, REAL ID version2$60
A first license and the test that goes with it, any other version2$50

If you just arrived in the US

Foreign documents with no expiry date

When you hand in a driver license from your home country, the director checks that it is genuine, that it was actually issued to you, and that it is not suspended or revoked.6

If your license from another state has expired

When the license you surrender expired more than 12 months earlier, or you hold no license from another jurisdiction, you must complete the examinations in the order the rule sets.7

  • You apply for a new license and pass the state's required tests: a vision test, a written knowledge test, and a driving road test.8

If you have no license to transfer

The invalid classes are licenses issued exclusively to undocumented immigrants, and licenses substantially the same as regular ones but with markings establishing that the holder is not lawfully present in the United States.9

  • The department keeps a list on its website of the out-of-state driver license classes that are invalid in New Hampshire.10

  • An out-of-state license is invalid in New Hampshire if it belongs to a class issued exclusively to undocumented immigrants, or if it is substantially the same as a regular license but marked to establish that the holder is not lawfully present; it does not authorize the holder to drive in the state.11

Documents you need

  • Documents that are still validA U.S. passport offered as identity proof must be current.12

Your Social Security Number

Giving your number, and who may see it

If you have not been licensed in New Hampshire before, you must provide your Social Security number on the application; you may choose whether the department keeps it.13

  • For a Real ID-compliant license, you must agree to have your facial image, signature, and Social Security number retained by the department.14

  • The state shares your Social Security number only with other states for driver-record purposes, with the national driver information repository, and — case by case — with law enforcement for an investigation or with health and human services for child support enforcement.15

  • You cannot be required to give your Social Security number for Selective Service registration.16

  • The application includes your Social Security number when RSA 263:40-a requires it.17

Tests you take

Eye test

With cause, the director may require anyone holding a license, or applying for reissue, to pass a reexamination, which may include a visual acuity test.18

  • To pass the vision screening, you must be able to read the 20/40 vision line with both eyes.19

  • You look into an eye machine and read a series of letters or numbers. If you wear glasses or contact lenses to pass, you must wear them at all times while driving; if you fail, an eye doctor must certify that you are visually capable of operating a motor vehicle.20

Drive test

A road test is part of getting your first license, and it is scheduled when you successfully complete the knowledge test.1

  • If you are providing a license from your home country, you must pass a full examination — vision, knowledge, and road tests — and provide a copy of your driving record from your home country.21

  • An applicant not previously licensed in the state must pass the examinations the director prescribes, which may include tests of visual acuity, knowledge, and road skill.22

Tries you get on the written test

The knowledge test ends automatically if you go over its time limit or get more questions wrong than it allows. You may ask for an appointment to retake it no sooner than ten days later.23

  • The knowledge exam questions are completely random, so you will not see the same exam if you retake the test.24

  • The knowledge test ends automatically if you go over the time limit or miss too many questions, and you can ask for a retest appointment no sooner than ten days from that date.25

  • If you fail an exam, you wait ten calendar days to retest as an Operator or Motorcycle applicant, and five calendar days as a CDL applicant.3

  • If you are caught cheating, or consulting anyone other than authorized licensing personnel during the exam, you are disqualified at once and cannot be rescheduled for an examination for at least 30 days.26

Practice questions for the written test

The manual is meant to help a person who is learning to drive. Study each section alongside practice on the road with a driver education instructor or a licensed, responsible adult aged 25 or older.27

  • Review New Hampshire motor vehicle law in the Revised Statutes Annotated, sections 259 through 269 under Title 21.28

Using an interpreter

Only you and the authorized Division of Motor Vehicles licensing examiner may be in the vehicle during the road test, so an interpreter cannot ride with you.5

  • During the road skills examination no one may ride in the test vehicle other than you, the examiner and, if applicable, an examiner in training, so an interpreter cannot ride with you.29

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

If you are an unlicensed learner, the person with you must be a certified driving instructor, a parent, a legal guardian, or a responsible licensed adult who is at least 25.30

What to bring to the drive test

Who comes with you

A properly licensed driver must drive the test vehicle to and from the testing site and should stay there until the road test is complete. Only you and the authorized Division of Motor Vehicles employee may ride in the vehicle during the road test.4

  • You need a properly licensed driver to bring the test vehicle to and from the testing site, and they should stay at the site until your road test is complete.31

The car and its insurance

Only you and the authorized Division of Motor Vehicles employee may ride in the vehicle during the road test.32

  • The vehicle must be of the proper class for the type of license you are being tested for.33

  • The vehicle must be fully registered and in safe operating condition.34

Where to go

Who gives the tests

You call the DMV at 603-227-4000 to make an appointment for the road skills test.35

  • An authorized Division of Motor Vehicles employee rides in the vehicle with you and gives the road test.32

  • Department of Safety personnel conduct all license examinations, including the road skills exam.36

Booking an appointment

Appointments are scheduled online at https://wb-nhdmv.qmatic.cloud/qmaticwebbooking/index.html#/.37

Office locations

The list of DMV offices and their hours is at https://www.dmv.nh.gov/hours-and-locations/dmv-locations.38

Other states

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Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

  1. 1

    “Road Test will be scheduled once the Knowledge Test is successfully completed.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/apply-your-first-drivers-licensenon-driver-id

    Checked August 4, 2026

  2. 2

    “For each original driver's license and examination or driver's license renewal, other than for a commercial vehicle or motorcycle-$60 for a Real ID Act compliant license under RSA 263:14-b or $50 for each other license;”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  3. 3

    “All failed exams having a waiting period before being allowed to retest. Operator and Motorcycle applicants will have to wait ten (10) calendar days before they are allowed to retest, and CDL applicants have to wait five (5) calendar days before they are allowed to retest.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked August 4, 2026

  4. 4

    “You must have a properly 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.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked July 31, 2026

  5. 5

    “No person except the applicant and the authorized Division of Motor Vehicles Licensing Examiner may be present in the vehicle during the road test.”

    r.jina.ai/…/nhdm.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  6. 6

    “(b) In the event a non-United States citizen surrenders a driver license from their home country, the director shall determine if the driver license: (1) Is genuine; (2) Was actually issued to the applicant; and (3) Is not under suspension or revocation.”

    gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/saf-c1000.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  7. 7

    “Each applicant who surrenders a driver license issued by another jurisdiction which has expired more than 12 months prior to the date of its surrender or who does not hold a driver license from another jurisdiction shall satisfactorily complete the following in the order reflected:”

    gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/saf-c1000.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  8. 8

    “Before a license is granted to any person, the applicant, if not previously licensed to drive a motor vehicle in this state, shall pass such examinations as to the person's qualifications as the director may prescribe.”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 18, 2026

  9. 9

    “Such classes of licenses include licenses that are issued exclusively to undocumented immigrants or licenses that are substantially the same as licenses issued to citizens, residents, or those lawfully present in the United States but have markings establishing that the license holder is not lawfully present in the United States.”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  10. 10

    “The department, to facilitate the enforcement of this paragraph and to aid in providing notice to the public and visitors of invalid licenses, shall maintain on its website a list of out-of-state classes of driver's licenses that are invalid in this state.”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  11. 11

    “If a driver's license is of a class of licenses issued by another state exclusively to undocumented immigrants who are unable to prove lawful presence in the United States when the licenses are issued, the driver's license, or other permit purporting to authorize the holder to operate a motor vehicle on public roadways, is invalid in this state and does not authorize the holder to operate a motor vehicle in this state.”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 3, 2026

  12. 12

    “I. A current United States passport.”

    r.jina.ai/…/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  13. 13

    “An applicant for a driver's license who has not previously been licensed to drive a motor vehicle in this state shall provide his or her social security number in the application.”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  14. 14

    “Agrees to have his or her facial image, signature, and social security number retained by the department;”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  15. 15

    “The department shall only make the social security number available to other states for driver record purposes, to any national driver information repository established pursuant to federal law, or, on their request on a case by case basis (a) to a law enforcement agency that requires the social security number for investigative purposes, or (b) to the department of health and human services for use only in the administration of child support enforcement.”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  16. 16

    “The applicant shall not be required to provide his social security number for Selective Service registration purposes.”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  17. 17

    “Applicant's social security number, if required pursuant to RSA 263:40-a;”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  18. 18

    “The director may require with cause any person holding a license to drive motor vehicles or applying for reissue of such license to pass such examination as to the person's qualifications as the director shall prescribe. Such reexamination may include an examination for visual acuity as prescribed by the director.”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  19. 19

    “To pass, you must be able to read the 20/40 vision line with both eyes.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked August 3, 2026

  20. 20

    “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. To pass, you must be able to read the 20/40 vision line with both eyes. If you wear glasses or contact lenses to pass the vision test, you are required to wear them at all times while driving. If you fail the vision test, you will have to visit an eye doctor to certify that you are visually capable of operating a motor vehicle.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked August 3, 2026

  21. 21

    “If you are providing a license from your home country, you will be required to pass a full examination (vision, knowledge and road tests), and provide a copy of your driving record/history from your home country.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/non-us-citizen

    Checked August 4, 2026

  22. 22

    “Before a license is granted to any person, the applicant, if not previously licensed to drive a motor vehicle in this state, shall pass such examinations as to the person's qualifications as the director may prescribe. Such examinations may include an examination for visual acuity, knowledge, and road skill as prescribed by the director.”

    gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  23. 23

    “Every knowledge test has a time limit based upon the number of questions. If you exceed the time limit or miss too many questions, the test will automatically terminate; you may request an appointment to retest no sooner than ten days from the current date.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked July 31, 2026

  24. 24

    “All knowledge exams are completely random, and you will not see the same exam if you have to retake the test.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked August 4, 2026

  25. 25

    “If you exceed the time limit or miss too many questions, the test will automatically terminate; you may request an appointment to retest no sooner than ten days from the current date.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked August 4, 2026

  26. 26

    “Each applicant discovered cheating in any way, or consulting with any person other than authorized licensing personnel, shall be immediately disqualified and re-scheduled for an examination no sooner than 30 days later.”

    gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/saf-c1000.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  27. 27

    “ABOUT THIS MANUAL This Manual is intended to assist a person who is learning how to drive. Each section should be studied and applied in conjunction with training and practice out on the road with a driver education instructor or a licensed, responsible adult age 25 years or older.”

    r.jina.ai/…/nhdm.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  28. 28

    “Please take time to review New Hampshire’s motor vehicle laws. Refer to the Revised Statutes Annotated (RSAs) sections 259 through 269 under Title 21 (Motor Vehicles).”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/nhdm.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  29. 29

    “No person shall be allowed to ride in the test vehicle during a road skills examination, other than the applicant, the examiner and if applicable, an examiner in training.”

    r.jina.ai/…/saf-c1000.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  30. 30

    “For all unlicensed drivers the person accompanying them shall be a certified driving instructor, parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult who is 25 years of age or older and who is a licensed driver.”

    r.jina.ai/…/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  31. 31

    “All road test vehicles must be fully registered and in safe operating condition. If the road test vehicle is required to have an inspection sticker, it must be up to date. You must have a properly 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. The vehicle used for a road test must be of the proper class for the type of license you are being tested.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked July 31, 2026

  32. 32

    “No person except you and the authorized Division of Motor Vehicles employee can ride in the vehicle during the road test.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked August 4, 2026

  33. 33

    “The vehicle used for a road test must be of the proper class for the type of license you are being tested.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked August 4, 2026

  34. 34

    “All road test vehicles must be fully registered and in safe operating condition.”

    dmv.nh.gov/…/driver-licensing-testing-requirements

    Checked August 4, 2026

  35. 35

    “Driver License Road Skills Test: * Call 603-227-4000 for an appointment.”

    r.jina.ai/…/appointments-and-services

    Checked August 4, 2026

  36. 36

    “All license examinations shall be conducted by department of safety personnel”

    r.jina.ai/…/263-mrg.htm

    Checked August 4, 2026

  37. 37

    “https://wb-nhdmv.qmatic.cloud/qmaticwebbooking/index.html#/”

    dmv.nh.gov/hours-and-locations

    Checked August 4, 2026

  38. 38

    “https://www.dmv.nh.gov/hours-and-locations/dmv-locations”

    dmv.nh.gov/hours-and-locations

    Checked August 4, 2026

Applying for a driver's license in New Hampshire?

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