New Hampshire Permit Practice Test

How to use this NH practice test

1. Take the 40 question exam-length practice test above once, untimed, to find your weak topics.
2. Work through the numbered 20 question sets below. Each one is fixed, so a second attempt is a fair comparison.
3. Read the explanation on every miss. The wording comes from the New Hampshire Driver's Manual, which is what the examiners use.
4. Come back on a later day and retake the questions you missed. A score on questions you have not seen before tells you more than a repeat.

NH practice tests, 20 questions each

Fixed sets in a fixed order so you can retake one and compare your score.

1. Test 1
2. Test 2
3. Test 3
4. Test 4
5. Test 5
6. Test 6
7. Test 7
8. Test 8
9. Test 9
10. Test 10
11. Test 11
12. Test 12
13. Test 13
14. Test 14
15. Test 15
16. Test 16
17. Test 17
18. Test 18
19. Test 19
20. Test 20
21. Test 21
22. Test 22
23. Test 23
24. Test 24
25. Test 25

Printable NH practice test with answer key

40 sample practice questions from the NH bank

Every question below comes from the New Hampshire question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. This sign shows a left turn arrow crossed by a red slash. What may a New Hampshire driver not do here?

   
   1. Go straight
   2. Turn left
   3. Turn right
   4. Change lanes
   Show answer

   Turn left. No Left Turn is one of the prohibition signs the manual lists alongside Do Not Enter, No Trucks, Wrong Way, No Right Turn and No U-Turn. Full explanation in Test 1

   Study this in the handbook: Sign shapes, colors and warning signs

2. 2. What does the New Hampshire manual say about the consequences of collecting demerit points?

   1. They are identical for every driver
   2. Points have no effect on a driver's privileges
   3. They may vary depending on the driver's age
   4. They apply to commercial drivers but not others
   Show answer

   They may vary depending on the driver's age. Excessive accrual of demerit points may result in loss of driving privileges, and the size of the points depends on the offense. Full explanation in Test 2

   Study this in the handbook: Suspensions, points and habitual offenders

3. 3. After passing a vehicle in New Hampshire, when is it safe to signal and return to your lane?

   1. As soon as your front bumper is ahead of the other vehicle
   2. When the complete front of the passed vehicle is visible in your rearview mirror
   3. After counting three seconds
   4. When the other driver flashes headlights
   Show answer

   When the complete front of the passed vehicle is visible in your rearview mirror. The manual's passing sequence says to continue to pass until the complete front of the passed vehicle is visible in the rearview mirror, the Full explanation in Test 3

   Study this in the handbook: Lane changes, passing, backing and road conditions

4. 4. About how far does the New Hampshire manual say it can take to stop at 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes?

   1. About 50 feet
   2. About 300 feet
   3. About 100 feet
   4. About 158 feet
   Show answer

   About 158 feet. The manual gives one concrete braking figure: at 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, it can take about 158 feet to stop. Full explanation in Test 4

   Study this in the handbook: Signals, headlights, horn and stopping distance

5. 5. Where does the New Hampshire manual say a three-point turn should be used?

   1. Only when the road is too narrow for a U-turn, and only on a two-lane roadway
   2. At any intersection without a signal
   3. On any multi-lane road with light traffic
   4. On divided highways
   Show answer

   Only when the road is too narrow for a U-turn, and only on a two-lane roadway. A three point turn is reserved for a road or street that is too narrow to make a U-turn, and the manual says it should only be used on a two Full explanation in Test 5

   Study this in the handbook: Toll lanes, turns, U-turns and intersections

6. 6. This yellow winding arrow sign appears on a New Hampshire road. Which listed warning sign is it?

   
   1. Curvy Road Ahead
   2. Right Curve
   3. Sharp Curve Ahead
   4. Side Road Ahead
   Show answer

   Curvy Road Ahead. The snaking arrow is Curvy Road Ahead, warning of a series of curves rather than a single bend. Full explanation in Test 6

   Study this in the handbook: Sign shapes, colors and warning signs

7. 7. Where is this white X-shaped crossbuck sign placed according to the New Hampshire manual?

   
   1. Well before the crossing as advance warning
   2. At the railroad crossing itself, to indicate where the crossing is
   3. At the end of a no passing zone
   4. Only at crossings with gates
   Show answer

   At the railroad crossing itself, to indicate where the crossing is. The manual assigns the X shape a specific meaning: a crossbuck indicates where a railroad crossing is. Full explanation in Test 7

   Study this in the handbook: Sign shapes, colors and warning signs

8. 8. When does New Hampshire consider a load carried on a vehicle to be secure?

   1. When it is covered with a tarp
   2. When it stays below the height of the cab
   3. When a red flag is tied to it
   4. When nothing can slide, shift, fall or sift onto the roadway, or become airborne
   Show answer

   When nothing can slide, shift, fall or sift onto the roadway, or become airborne. Driving with an unsecured load is against the law and dangerous, and a driver who causes a crash with one may face a costly fine. Full explanation in Test 8

   Study this in the handbook: Vehicle checks, seating and restraints

9. 9. Under RSA 265:79-c, which activity with a hand-held device is prohibited while driving in New Hampshire?

   1. Listening to the radio
   2. Talking to a passenger
   3. Inputting information into a GPS or navigation device
   4. Adjusting the climate controls
   Show answer

   Inputting information into a GPS or navigation device. The hand-held device law covers more than texting. Full explanation in Test 9

   Study this in the handbook: Hand-held devices and distraction

10. 10. A New Hampshire road has a broken yellow line next to a solid yellow line, and the broken line is on your side. May you pass?

    
    1. No, the solid line applies to both directions
    2. Yes, when it is safe, because the line on your side is broken
    3. Only if the vehicle ahead signals you around
    4. Only at night
    Show answer

    Yes, when it is safe, because the line on your side is broken. With double white or yellow lines, drivers must not pass if the line on the driver's side is solid. Full explanation in Test 10

    Study this in the handbook: Pavement markings

11. 11. What does this yellow sign showing a traffic signal warn a New Hampshire driver about?

    
    1. A traffic signal is ahead
    2. A flashing yellow signal is ahead
    3. A railroad signal is ahead
    4. The signal ahead is out of order
    Show answer

    A traffic signal is ahead. Traffic Signal Ahead is one of the warning signs the manual lists, alongside Stop Sign Ahead, Sharp Curve Ahead and Advisory Speed Around Cu Full explanation in Test 11

    Study this in the handbook: Sign shapes, colors and warning signs

12. 12. When parking near a curb in New Hampshire, how should the driver position the vehicle?

    1. About a foot from the curb line
    2. Centered in the shoulder's width
    3. As close to the curb as possible
    4. With the left wheels on the pavement edge
    Show answer

    As close to the curb as possible. New Hampshire says that a vehicle parked near a curb should be as close to the curb as possible. Full explanation in Test 12

    Study this in the handbook: Parking rules and distances

13. 13. You stopped for a blind pedestrian with a white cane in New Hampshire. When will that person begin crossing?

    1. Immediately after any honk
    2. When they judge a safe crossing can be made
    3. Only after you wave them on
    4. When traffic fully empties for a minute
    Show answer

    When they judge a safe crossing can be made. The pedestrian listens to traffic flow and begins only after deciding a safe crossing is possible, which is why honking or yelling corrupts Full explanation in Test 13

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians and bicyclists

14. 14. How should lane position change near workers and construction vehicles in a New Hampshire work zone?

    1. Hug the worker side for visibility
    2. Stay centered in your lane at all times
    3. Adjust lane position to give them space
    4. Hold your line and only watch the flagger
    Show answer

    Adjust lane position to give them space. Shifting within your lane to widen the buffer around workers and construction vehicles protects people standing feet from traffic. Full explanation in Test 14

15. 15. Before entering a multi lane roundabout in New Hampshire, what should guide the driver's lane choice?

    1. The color of the car ahead
    2. Entry signs and lane use markings
    3. Whichever lane moves first
    4. The lane with the fewest brake lights
    Show answer

    Entry signs and lane use markings. Entry signs and pavement markings assign lanes to exits, so reading them before the yield line puts you in the branch that matches your dest Full explanation in Test 15

    Study this in the handbook: Roundabouts and school buses

16. 16. Midway through a New Hampshire curve, a driver realizes the entry speed was too high and brakes hard. What risk does that create?

    1. The tires can lose traction
    2. The steering wheel locks
    3. The headlights dim
    4. The brakes overheat instantly
    Show answer

    The tires can lose traction. Hard braking after entering a curve can break tire grip, because the tires are already spending traction on turning. Full explanation in Test 16

    Study this in the handbook: Lane changes, passing, backing and road conditions

17. 17. Why should a New Hampshire driver avoid sounding the horn close to a bicyclist?

    1. The sound can hide the rider's own bell warning
    2. A startled swerve into your path
    3. A horn blast tells the rider to move into traffic
    4. Riders are required to yield to any horn they hear
    Show answer

    A startled swerve into your path. A blast beside a balancing rider can trigger a startled swerve straight into the vehicle that honked. Full explanation in Test 17

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians and bicyclists

18. 18. At an intersection in New Hampshire, how must a driver treat a bicyclist crossing the path?

    1. Yield like for walkers and vehicles
    2. Bicyclists must always yield to cars
    3. Honk until the rider stops
    4. Pass closely to clear quickly
    Show answer

    Yield like for walkers and vehicles. Bicyclists at intersections earn the same yield a driver gives pedestrians and other vehicles. Full explanation in Test 18

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians and bicyclists

19. 19. At a New Hampshire intersection, what must a pedestrian do?

    1. Cross anywhere traffic allows
    2. Crosswalks, obeying ped signals
    3. Walk against the vehicle flow only
    4. Cross whenever no officer watches
    Show answer

    Crosswalks, obeying ped signals. Crosswalks plus obedience to pedestrian signs and signals structure foot travel at intersections. Full explanation in Test 19

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians and bicyclists

20. 20. While backing into a parallel space in New Hampshire, what must the driver avoid touching at the back of the maneuver?

    1. The center line on the road.
    2. The curb behind the parking space.
    3. The bumper of the vehicle to the rear.
    4. The front bumper of the vehicle ahead.
    Show answer

    The bumper of the vehicle to the rear.. During the backward part of parallel parking, the manual says to stop before touching the bumper of the vehicle to the rear, then shift to d Full explanation in Test 20

    Study this in the handbook: Parking rules and distances

21. 21. After stopping at a New Hampshire intersection, what extra check comes before moving again?

    1. Check the rear seat passengers
    2. Check the fuel and oil levels
    3. Cross traffic plus bicyclists
    4. Check your phone for messages
    Show answer

    Cross traffic plus bicyclists. Crossing traffic and bicyclists get a dedicated fresh check after the stop, beyond the look sequence that brought you there. Full explanation in Test 21

    Study this in the handbook: Toll lanes, turns, U-turns and intersections

22. 22. You are following a passenger bus toward a railroad crossing with no train in sight. What should you expect?

    1. The bus will speed up to clear the crossing
    2. The bus may roll through without stopping
    3. The bus driver will wave you around first
    4. The bus must stop, so be ready to stop
    Show answer

    The bus must stop, so be ready to stop. Buses that carry passengers and trucks carrying flammable or hazardous material must stop before any railroad crossing, even when no train i Full explanation in Test 22

    Study this in the handbook: Regulatory, guide, work zone and railroad signs

23. 23. Where should car keys and fobs be stored at home, according to New Hampshire hot vehicle guidance?

    1. On the dashboard in view
    2. In the ignition when parked
    3. Hidden under the front floor mat
    4. Stored out of a child's reach
    Show answer

    Stored out of a child's reach. Keys and fobs stored beyond a child's reach prevent kids from entering or starting a vehicle that then becomes a heat trap. Full explanation in Test 23

    Study this in the handbook: Vision, fatigue, emotions and hot vehicles

24. 24. Approaching a horse on a New Hampshire road, what conduct is required of a driver?

    1. Honk early so the horse knows you
    2. Speed past before it reacts
    3. Flash high beams repeatedly
    4. Slow, assess, pass quietly past
    Show answer

    Slow, assess, pass quietly past. Every precaution against frightening the horse applies: slower speed, a read of the animal, and a cautious pass without horn or engine revvi Full explanation in Test 24

    Study this in the handbook: Motorcycles, large trucks and slow vehicles

25. 25. Your credential is the motorcycle class in New Hampshire. Which machines sit under it?

    1. Only two wheeled motorcycles, and no other machines
    2. Any small car weighing under 1000 pounds
    3. Motorcycles, 3-wheeled motorcycles, motor driven cycles and mopeds
    4. Snowmobiles operated on New Hampshire highways
    Show answer

    Motorcycles, 3-wheeled motorcycles, motor driven cycles and mopeds. The motorcycle credential spans two and three wheeled motorcycles plus motor driven cycles and mopeds. Full explanation in Test 25

    Study this in the handbook: Youth Operator license, restrictions and renewal

26. 26. What does the New Hampshire manual describe as the best way to avoid traction loss from hydroplaning?

    1. Slow down in the rain or when the road has pooled water
    2. Drive in the tire tracks of the vehicle ahead at full speed
    3. Brake firmly as soon as the road is wet
    4. Use cruise control to hold a steady speed
    Show answer

    Slow down in the rain or when the road has pooled water. Hydroplaning happens when the steering tires start to ride up on pooled water, like water skis. Full explanation in Test 1

    Study this in the handbook: Lane changes, passing, backing and road conditions

27. 27. How many hours of classroom instruction does New Hampshire driver education require?

    1. 30 hours
    2. 40 hours
    3. 10 hours
    4. 20 hours
    Show answer

    30 hours. New Hampshire driver education is built around several fixed hour counts, and the classroom portion is 30 hours with a certified driver educ Full explanation in Test 2

    Study this in the handbook: Driver education and practice driving

28. 28. How does the New Hampshire manual say a backup camera should be used?

    1. Together with mirrors and head checks, never as the primary tool for backing
    2. As the only tool needed when backing slowly
    3. Instead of turning your head
    4. Only at night
    Show answer

    Together with mirrors and head checks, never as the primary tool for backing. Many vehicles have backup cameras, and the technology can help drivers back up safely when used in conjunction with the mirrors and proper h Full explanation in Test 3

    Study this in the handbook: Lane changes, passing, backing and road conditions

29. 29. When entering a multi-lane highway in New Hampshire, what is the acceleration lane for?

    
    1. Stopping to wait for a large gap
    2. Reaching the speed of other vehicles before pulling onto the roadway
    3. Reading the exit signs
    4. Passing slower traffic on the right
    Show answer

    Reaching the speed of other vehicles before pulling onto the roadway. Use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of other vehicles before pulling onto the roadway, then identify a gap in traffic and merge wit Full explanation in Test 4

    Study this in the handbook: Signals, headlights, horn and stopping distance

30. 30. When entering a multi-lane roundabout in New Hampshire, to which traffic must you yield?

    1. Traffic in both lanes of the roundabout
    2. Only traffic in the outside lane
    3. No one, entering traffic has priority
    4. Only traffic in the inside lane
    Show answer

    Traffic in both lanes of the roundabout. Multi-lane roundabout tips start with lane choice, using the signs and pavement markings to pick the lane for your exit before entering. Full explanation in Test 5

    Study this in the handbook: Roundabouts and school buses

31. 31. Which device use is generally permitted for New Hampshire drivers age 18 or older?

    1. Using a Bluetooth or other hands-free device to send or receive information
    2. Holding a phone to the ear on a rural road
    3. Typing an address into a phone while stopped in traffic
    4. Reading a text at a red light
    Show answer

    Using a Bluetooth or other hands-free device to send or receive information. Drivers age 18 or older may use one hand to transmit on a non-cellular two way radio, use a Bluetooth enabled or other hands-free device, or Full explanation in Test 6

    Study this in the handbook: Hand-held devices and distraction

32. 32. Which sign shape does the New Hampshire manual say is used for traffic regulations or directions to drivers?

    1. A diamond
    2. A pentagon
    3. A rectangle
    4. A circle
    Show answer

    A rectangle. The manual's standard shapes give each sign family a job. A rectangle carries traffic regulations or directions to drivers. Full explanation in Test 7

    Study this in the handbook: Sign shapes, colors and warning signs

33. 33. A flagger in a New Hampshire work zone signals you to stop. What does the manual say?

    1. Drivers must follow the flagger's instructions
    2. Stop only if the signal is a red flag
    3. Wait for a police officer to confirm
    4. Proceed slowly if no workers are visible
    Show answer

    Drivers must follow the flagger's instructions. In work zones, traffic may be controlled by a person with a sign or flag who tells drivers which direction to travel, to slow down or to sto Full explanation in Test 8

    Study this in the handbook: Regulatory, guide, work zone and railroad signs

34. 34. How many questions are on the New Hampshire automated knowledge test, and how long do testers have?

    1. 40 questions in 40 minutes
    2. 25 questions in 30 minutes
    3. 50 questions in 60 minutes
    4. 40 questions with no time limit
    Show answer

    40 questions in 40 minutes. The automated knowledge test has 40 multiple choice questions on the rules of the road and general driving conditions, and testers have 40 m Full explanation in Test 9

    Study this in the handbook: The vision, knowledge and road tests

35. 35. Your brakes stop working while driving in New Hampshire. How does the manual say to use the parking brake?

    1. Apply it slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels and be ready to release it if the vehicle skids
    2. Do not use it while moving
    3. Yank it as hard as possible
    4. Apply it only after turning off the engine
    Show answer

    Apply it slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels and be ready to release it if the vehicle skids. In a brake failure, engage the parking brake by pulling the handle or pushing the foot pedal slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels and cau Full explanation in Test 10

    Study this in the handbook: Brake failure, blowouts and breakdowns

36. 36. Inside a multi-lane roundabout in New Hampshire, what passing rule applies beside other vehicles?

    1. Pass slower vehicles freely on either side
    2. Drive beside trucks for as long as needed
    3. Do not drive beside or try to overtake any vehicle
    4. Overtake only before reaching your exit
    Show answer

    Do not drive beside or try to overtake any vehicle. Circulating traffic stays in lane without driving beside or passing other vehicles. Full explanation in Test 11

    Study this in the handbook: Roundabouts and school buses

37. 37. A driver finishes a turn in New Hampshire and settles into the new lane. What two checks close out the maneuver?

    1. Honk once and speed up quickly
    2. Signal off, rear traffic checked
    3. Reset the trip odometer and check fuel
    4. Only watch the vehicle directly ahead
    Show answer

    Signal off, rear traffic checked. A cancelled signal and a glance at traffic behind finish a turn cleanly, since a blinker left running lies to everyone following. Full explanation in Test 12

    Study this in the handbook: Toll lanes, turns, U-turns and intersections

38. 38. In federal figures the manual cites, what share of passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2021 were unrestrained?

    1. About 10 percent
    2. About 90 percent
    3. About 25 percent
    4. About 50 percent
    Show answer

    About 50 percent. Half of those killed rode without restraints, a figure that makes buckling the single most effective protection in a crash. Full explanation in Test 13

    Study this in the handbook: Vehicle checks, seating and restraints

39. 39. A 16-year-old non-resident visitor has no license and wants to practice drive in New Hampshire. Who may accompany the driver under the non-resident rule?

    1. Any licensed teenager with two years of experience.
    2. A parent or guardian of any age.
    3. No adult is needed on a rural road.
    4. A licensed, responsible adult who is at least 25.
    Show answer

    A licensed, responsible adult who is at least 25.. The non-resident rule allows a person without a license to practice drive in New Hampshire only if the person is at least 15 and a half and Full explanation in Test 14

    Study this in the handbook: Driver education and practice driving

40. 40. How many hours of driving observation does New Hampshire driver education require with a certified instructor?

    1. 30 hours of observation
    2. 10 hours of observation
    3. 6 hours of observation
    4. 40 hours of observation
    Show answer

    6 hours of observation. Observation time sits at six hours inside an approved program, spent watching instruction from the back while another student drives. Full explanation in Test 15

    Study this in the handbook: Driver education and practice driving