DMV New Hampshire · Fees, age, and practice test
New Hampshire Permit Test: Cost, Age, and DMV Facts
Start the free New Hampshire practice testSourced procedural facts for New Hampshire DMV, plus a free 500-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
Free New Hampshire DMV practice test with 500 practice questions written from the official New Hampshire Driver's Manual, each with an explanation and a handbook page citation. No signup and no ads. The New Hampshire permit test has 40 questions, and you need 32 correct (80%) to pass. Page updated 2026-10-27.
Also here: exam simulator in the real test format, flashcards for the whole bank, a one-page cheat sheet, handbook lessons, chapter by chapter, and audio read-aloud for questions.
How many questions are on the New Hampshire permit test?
The New Hampshire permit test has 40 questions, and you need 32 correct (80%) to pass.
See the official source 1, official source 2 · Checked 2026-10-18 against the official text on file.
How much does the New Hampshire permit test cost?
Examination is included in the license fee: $50 standard or $60 REAL ID; youth operator fees are $10 per year, capped at $50.
- Initial driver license fee: $50 standard operator license or $60 REAL ID; youth operator license and examination cost $10 per year, up to $50.
Source: Apply for Your First Driver License/Non Driver ID | NH DMV · Fee source checked 2026-10-05. Our 500-question New Hampshire practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
Is the New Hampshire permit test hard?
You can miss up to 8 of the 40 questions and still pass with 32 correct (80%).
Every question comes from the New Hampshire Driver's Manual, so reading it and practicing until you pass consistently is the most direct preparation.
What do I need to bring to the New Hampshire DMV for the knowledge test?
The official New Hampshire checklist for the knowledge test has 10 items, covering application, identity, Social Security number, residency, parent or guardian, driver education, fees and vision test.
Who this list covers: First non-REAL-ID operator-license knowledge-test appointment for New Hampshire residents age 16 or older who are U.S. citizens with an assigned SSN. Includes minors and adults; noncitizen and REAL ID document routes are outside this checklist. New Hampshire does not issue a learner permit.
- Complete the driver-license application (DSMV 450)
- Bring two accepted identity documents
- Bring proof connecting every name change
- Know your complete Social Security number
- Bring one proof of your legal New Hampshire address
- Under 18: Bring the signed Parent or Guardian Authorization Certificate
- Under 18: Bring the original green driver-education completion certificate
- Under 18: Bring your signed supervised-driving log
- Pay the applicable license fee before testing
- Be ready for the vision and knowledge tests
Source: official New Hampshire document list · Checked 2026-10-05. Conditions and exceptions for each item are on the full printable checklist, with a source for every item.
Practice the New Hampshire permit test now
500 questions written from the official New Hampshire driver manual. Free, no signup, with an explanation and the manual quote for every answer.
Your 3-stage New Hampshire study path
- Stage 1: Study the sheets. Read the New Hampshire cheat sheet for signs, numbers, and must-know rules.
- Stage 2: Drill topics. Run the free New Hampshire practice test with instant explanations until weak topics turn green.
- Stage 3: Simulate the exam. Take the timed exam simulator under graded practice conditions.
New Hampshire verified practice bank · 500 questions · Page updated 2026-10-27
Before your New Hampshire knowledge test
Cost details
- Adult operator licensing and examination cost $50 standard or $60 REAL ID; youth pricing is $10 per year, up to $50. Official cost source
Before you apply
These notes cover selected application steps. Check the linked official instructions for the full requirements for your situation.
- For practice driving, carry proof you are at least 15½ and arrange the qualified supervising driver required by RSA 263:25. Official application instructions
- For licensing under 18, prepare parent or guardian consent and proof of approved driver education. Official application instructions
Cost and application notes checked .
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
No separate learner's permit issued; may begin learning at 15.5 with a parent/guardian/licensed adult 25+; must be 16 to apply for a license
Initial license fee
$50 standard operator license or $60 REAL ID; youth operator license and examination cost $10 per year, up to $50.
Questions on the knowledge test
40 multiple choice questions (40 minutes; test ends automatically if more than 8 questions are answered incorrectly)
Passing score
All knowledge exams require a passing grade of 80%
Retake wait after failing
10 calendar days before retesting after failing the knowledge or motorcycle exam
Supervised driving before road test
40 hours of supervised driving beyond driver ed (10 at night) for under-18 applicants, supervised by a licensed driver 25+, certified via official log/app
Documents to bring
Completed application (DSMV 450) and proof of identity and residency; under-18 applicants also need the original driver education completion certificate
Find an office / appointment
NH DMV is fully appointment based; book online at dmv.nh.gov (select service, Make an Appointment) or call 603-227-4000.
REAL ID status
REAL ID is voluntary in NH, needed for domestic flights/federal facilities since May 7, 2025; get it at DMV renewal or by appointment.
Motorcycle license
Minimum age 16; permits for 16-17 year olds require completion of an approved driver education course and a valid NH license; adults 18+ may get a learner's permit directly.
Official source: Apply for Your First Driver License/Non Driver ID | NH DMV
Things like renewing registration, REAL ID, or a change of address are outside what this page covers -- go straight to the official New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles site.
New Hampshire DMV fees at a glance
| Fee | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $50 standard operator license or $60 REAL ID; youth operator license and examination cost $10 per year, up to $50. | source |
Studying for it? Take the free New Hampshire DMV practice test (500 questions, instant explanations, no signup).
What a New Hampshire driver license covers
Initial license fee: $50 standard operator license or $60 REAL ID; youth operator license and examination cost $10 per year, up to $50. (official source)
REAL ID status: REAL ID is voluntary in NH, needed for domestic flights/federal facilities since May 7, 2025; get it at DMV renewal or by appointment. (official source)
The gold star marks a REAL ID compliant card. Many states hand you a paper interim license the day you pass and mail the physical card later; the interim paper generally works for driving but not for TSA airport ID. Check the official New Hampshire DMV site for exact card timelines.
Getting a license in New Hampshire
Getting your first permit
In New Hampshire, the minimum permit age is no separate learner's permit issued; may begin learning at 15.5 with a parent/guardian/licensed adult 25+; must be 16 to apply for a license. When you apply for a permit or license, bring: completed application (DSMV 450) and proof of identity and residency; under-18 applicants also need the original driver education completion certificate. NH DMV is fully appointment based; book online at dmv.nh.gov (select service, Make an Appointment) or call 603-227-4000.
Fees, retakes, and practice hours
If you fail the knowledge test: 10 calendar days before retesting after failing the knowledge or motorcycle exam. Before the road test, the state requires 40 hours of supervised driving beyond driver ed (10 at night) for under-18 applicants, supervised by a licensed driver 25+, certified via official log/app.
REAL ID, motorcycle, and CDL
REAL ID is voluntary in NH, needed for domestic flights/federal facilities since May 7, 2025; get it at DMV renewal or by appointment. For a motorcycle license: minimum age 16; permits for 16-17 year olds require completion of an approved driver education course and a valid NH license; adults 18+ may get a learner's permit directly.
The New Hampshire bank has 500 questions across 9 topics
Test day: what to bring and where to go: a printable New Hampshire checklist of the documents for the permit test, plus the official office finder and appointment links.
Study the handbook, chapter by chapter: 28 free lessons that boil the New Hampshire driver manual down to the rules and exact numbers on the test, each quoted with its page.
The New Hampshire questions learners miss most: ranked from anonymous first-attempt answers on this site, each with the correct answer and its handbook lesson.
One New Hampshire permit test question a day
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