Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
New Hampshire Permit Test (2026)
Study for the official DMV Driver License Knowledge Test with free practice tests written from the state's own rules — plus the verified facts below: how many questions, the passing score, and what it costs.
New Hampshire permit test: quick facts
- Questions on the exam
- 40
- Passing score
- 32 of 40 correct (80%)
- Minimum permit age
- Check your state's official site
- Fee
- $10 per year for a Youth Operator License (priced to age 21); $50 for a standard Operator license or $60 for a REAL ID Operator license. The license fee is paid before testing begins, and no separate knowledge-exam fee is listed.
- If you fail
- If you fail the knowledge test (or road test), you must wait 10 calendar days before retesting (5 days for CDL applicants). Every exam is randomly generated, so a retake is a different test. Skipping a scheduled road test or canceling with less than 24 hours notice triggers a 30-day wait.
- Online testing
- In person only
- Languages
- Knowledge tests are offered in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Portuguese, Farsi, and American Sign Language; an optional audio version via headphones is available on request.
How it works
Step 1
Take Practice Test 1 like the real thing — no notes, one question at a time.
Step 2
Read every explanation, especially for questions you missed. That's where the learning happens.
Step 3
Repeat with Test 2 and the road signs test until you pass comfortably every time.
Free New Hampshire practice tests
New Hampshire Practice Test 1
30 questions — signs, rules, and state law
New Hampshire Practice Test 2
30 fresh questions, no repeats from Test 1
New Hampshire Road Signs Test
25 questions on signs, shapes, and signals
New-driver rules in New Hampshire
New Hampshire issues no learner's permit: under RSA 263:25, anyone at least 15½ may practice-drive on public roads when accompanied in the front seat by a parent, guardian, or responsible licensed adult age 25 or older. Drivers under 18 must complete an approved driver education course plus 40 hours of additional supervised driving (at least 10 at night) before applying at 16, and drivers licensed between 16 and 21 receive a vertical Youth Operator License that expires on their 21st birthday. Youth operators under 18 may not drive between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., may carry no more than one non-family passenger under 25 during their first six months unless a licensed adult 25 or older is aboard, and may never carry more passengers than seat belts.
Verified 2026-08-18 · Source: DMV
New Hampshire permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the New Hampshire permit test?
The official New Hampshire Driver License Knowledge Test has 40 questions, according to the DMV (verified 2026-08-18).
What score do you need to pass the New Hampshire permit test?
You must answer 32 of 40 questions correctly (80%) to pass the New Hampshire Driver License Knowledge Test.
How much does the New Hampshire permit cost?
$10 per year for a Youth Operator License (priced to age 21); $50 for a standard Operator license or $60 for a REAL ID Operator license. The license fee is paid before testing begins, and no separate knowledge-exam fee is listed. — as listed by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), verified 2026-08-18. Always confirm current fees on the official site.
What happens if you fail the New Hampshire permit test?
If you fail the knowledge test (or road test), you must wait 10 calendar days before retesting (5 days for CDL applicants). Every exam is randomly generated, so a retake is a different test. Skipping a scheduled road test or canceling with less than 24 hours notice triggers a 30-day wait. (per the DMV, verified 2026-08-18).
Can you take the New Hampshire permit test online?
No. The New Hampshire Driver License Knowledge Test is administered in person through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), not online.
What languages is the New Hampshire permit test offered in?
Knowledge tests are offered in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Portuguese, Farsi, and American Sign Language; an optional audio version via headphones is available on request. (per the DMV, verified 2026-08-18).
Who runs the permit test in New Hampshire?
Driver licensing in New Hampshire is handled by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The official site is https://www.dmv.nh.gov/.
Where can I read the official New Hampshire driver handbook?
The official New Hampshire driver handbook is published by the DMV at https://www.dmv.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt416/files/inline-documents/nhdm.pdf. It is the source our practice questions are grounded in.