How to Get Your New Hampshire Permit License

Begin supervised practice at 15½

New Hampshire issues no learner's permit. A 15½-year-old can start practicing behind the wheel immediately with a licensed adult at least 25 years old supervising, with no test required to reach this stage.

Complete driver's education

Finish a driver's education course, along with written permission from a parent or legal guardian.

• Driver's education completion certificate
• Written parental or guardian permission

Log 40 hours of supervised driving

Complete at least 40 hours of supervised practice, including a minimum of 10 hours at night.

Apply for the Youth Operator License at 16

Apply at the DMV, passing the 40-question knowledge test (80%, 32 correct) and a road test. The knowledge test is folded directly into this application, since there's no separate permit test.

• Birth certificate or equivalent
• Proof of Social Security number and residency
• Parent or guardian signature

Follow Youth Operator License restrictions

A curfew of 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. applies, along with a limit of one passenger under 25 outside the immediate family for the license's first 6 months. Cell phone use is banned entirely, even hands-free, except to call 911.

Restrictions lift at 18

The curfew and passenger restriction both end at 18, even though the Youth Operator License document itself remains valid until the 21st birthday.

Apply directly for a license

New Hampshire has no permit stage at any age, so an applicant 18 or older applies directly for a license at the DMV.

• Proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency

Pass the knowledge test

Pass the same 40-question knowledge test (80%, 32 correct) required of a younger applicant.

Pass the road test

Pass a road test administered by the DMV.

Receive your full license

An adult first-time applicant receives a standard, unrestricted license upon passing, without any of the Youth Operator License's curfew or passenger conditions.