Whether you\u2019re a new resident or a current resident of New Hampshire, if you wish to operate a standard vehicle, commercial vehicle, or motorcycle, you\u2019ll need a driver\u2019s license. This article will discuss how to obtain a license to legally operate the above-stated vehicles. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New Hampshire has different licenses for different classifications of vehicles you may wish to drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Class D<\/strong> \u2013 a non-commercial driver\u2019s license that allows you to operate standard vehicles for personal use only, such as a car, truck, or SUV. This is also New Hampshire\u2019s standard (regular) driver\u2019s license. With this license, you can operate vehicles that have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of no more than 26,000 lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Class M<\/strong> \u2013 a non-commercial driver\u2019s license that allows you to operate two-wheel or three-wheel motorcycles or mopeds. Before applying for a Class M license, you must first have an existing, valid Class D driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Class A (CDL)<\/strong> \u2013 a commercial driver\u2019s license that allows you to operate any vehicle(s) that have a GVWR that exceeds 26,001 lbs., provided that the vehicle(s) that are being towed weighs more than 10,000 lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Class B (CDL)<\/strong> \u2013 a commercial driver\u2019s license that allows you to operate any vehicle that has a GVWR of at least 26,001 lbs., and tow any vehicle that does NOT exceed 10,000 lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Class C (CDL)<\/strong> \u2013 a commercial driver\u2019s license that allows you to operate any single or a combination of vehicles that DO NOT meet the descriptions of Class A and Class B, and that can transport at least 16 passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each resident of New Hampshire and non-citizen is required to attain a valid NH driver\u2019s license to legally operate a motor vehicle on public roads. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are younger than 18 years old, you will receive your Class D license after working your way through New Hampshire\u2019s Driver\u2019s Education (Driver\u2019s Ed) and driver permit requirements. Even if you have a valid out-of-state driver\u2019s license, you CAN NOT drive in the state of New Hampshire if your New Hampshire driving privileges are suspended or revoked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To apply for a new NH driver\u2019s license, you need to visit your local New Hampshire Department of Motor Vehicles (NH DMV) branch and:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you pass the written knowledge test, you can schedule an appointment for the written exam driving test. In most scenarios, you are not allowed to complete both tests on the same day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To complete the New Hampshire road test, you must bring a properly titled, registered, and inspected vehicle that falls under the same class of license for which you are applying. You must also have a licensed driver bring you to and from the exam site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you pass this exam, you will receive a temporary paper license that is valid for 60 days. You will receive your permanent New Hampshire Class D driver\u2019s license by mail within 60 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do not pass the road exam, you can retake the test within 10 calendar days, and you must notify the NH DMV within 24 hours if you need to reschedule the re-examination. If you fail to notify the NH DMV within 24 hours, you will be required to wait at least 30 days to schedule your retest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In New Hampshire, different documents are acceptable to use when you\u2019re applying for your NH driver\u2019s license, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples of true full-name verification documents can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples of acceptable residency documentation can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re under the age of 18, you are required to follow a series of steps to obtain your full, standard New Hampshire driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a new resident of New Hampshire, you are required to have a valid out-of-state driver\u2019s license to transfer to New Hampshire. This state does NOT transfer or accept driving\/learner\u2019s permits. New residents of NH have 60 days after they establish residency in this state to transfer their out-of-state driver\u2019s license to New Hampshire by completing the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve satisfied the above-listed steps, you are eligible to apply to transfer your out-of-state driver\u2019s license to a New Hampshire Youth Operator License.<\/p>\n\n\n\n New Hampshire, like many states, has a graduated driver\u2019s licensing (GDL) program that grants teenagers more driving privileges and responsibilities as they reach different ages. The different levels of the GDL program are less than those in other states because New Hampshire does NOT require teens to obtain a learner\u2019s permit before receiving an intermediate driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The components of New Hampshire\u2019s GDL program are the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Driver\u2019s Ed is required for all drivers under 18 years old in New Hampshire. This program must be state-approved by third-party providers and consists of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the required driving practice that is completed during Driver\u2019s Ed, you are also required to log an additional 40 hours of supervised driving with your parent, legal guardian, or another licensed adult driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of these 40 hours, 10 of these hours must be driven at night. All driving hours must be documented on the Driver\u2019s Out-of-Class Log Sheet (Form DSMV 509<\/a>). Once you complete your Driver\u2019s Ed course and logged your driving hours, you will be eligible for a Youth Operator License.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In New Hampshire, there are teenage license age requirements, and they are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In New Hampshire, teenagers who are 15 \u00bd years old can obtain a Youth Operator\u2019s License. Although New Hampshire does NOT issue learner\u2019s permits, teenagers who are at least 15 \u00bd years old are eligible to practice driving with a licensed supervising driver who is at least 25 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To practice, you are required to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In New Hampshire, at 16 years old, you are eligible to complete your road test and receive your Youth Operator\u2019s License. You need to make sure you complete a state-approved Driver\u2019s Ed course and complete at least 40 hours of supervised driving, with 10 of these hours driven at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must first pass your knowledge and vision tests before you can schedule an appointment to complete your road test. Depending on what time you completed your exams, you may be able to schedule your road test on the same day. Otherwise, you must return to an NH DMV branch at your appointment time to complete the behind-the-wheel road test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The New Hampshire written test has a total of 40 questions, 32 of which you must answer correctly to obtain a minimum passing score of 80%. The minimum age to apply to complete this test is 15 \u00bd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you pass the road test, you must pay the license fee of $50 or $60 if you want a REAL ID. You will also need to have your photo taken. You will receive a temporary paper Youth Operator License that is valid for 60 days. The NH DMV will mail your permanent license to the address you provided on the application. Your New Hampshire Youth Operator\u2019s License will expire once you turn 21 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a New Hampshire Youth Operator\u2019s License, there are driving restrictions you must follow, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Welcome to the Granite State! As a new resident, you are required to surrender your valid out-of-state driver\u2019s license and apply for a new NH driver\u2019s license within 60 days of establishing residency in New Hampshire. To transfer your out-of-state driver\u2019s license, you need to visit your local NH DMV branch and:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you submit the required documentation, your permanent New Hampshire driver\u2019s license will arrive in the mail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suppose you recently got married or divorced, or you changed your name for another reason. In that case, you will be required to submit name change documentation if you\u2019re applying for a new NH driver\u2019s license or identification card. The documents you provide must establish your true full name and can include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting May 7, 2025, a federally compliant driver\u2019s license, non-driver identification card, or passport will be required to board an airplane for domestic flights or to enter a secure federal facility. Current standard New Hampshire driver\u2019s licenses will be accepted until May 7, 2025. REAL ID driver\u2019s licenses or non-driver identification cards will be marked with a star in the top right corner to indicate it is acceptable to use for federal identification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You do NOT have to obtain a REAL ID as a resident of New Hampshire. Instead of a star in the right top-hand corner of your driver\u2019s license or identification card, these documents will have \u201cNOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION\u201d, and you will need to present documents that are federally compliant for identification purposes, such as your passport, to board a domestic flight or enter a secure federal facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you won\u2019t be boarding a domestic flight or visiting a secure federal facility or military base, you are not required to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver\u2019s license or identification card. You also aren\u2019t required to have a REAL ID-compliant driver\u2019s license or ID card to perform any of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to visit your local NH DMV branch (consider making an appointment) and provide proof of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are interested in becoming a commercial vehicle driver in New Hampshire, congratulations! First, you will need to apply for a commercial driver\u2019s license (CDL) through the New Hampshire DMV. The state\u2019s processes adhere to the CDL rules and regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n To apply for an NH CDL, you must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are transferring your CDL from a different state, you may also be required to present proof of identity AND residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After you\u2019ve determined you\u2019re eligible to apply for your NH CDL, you can visit your local NH DMV branch and receive your commercial learner\u2019s permit (CLP). When you visit your local NH DMV, you will be required to submit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you complete the required vision and written tests, you will receive your commercial learner\u2019s permit and an official form statement that you\u2019ve passed the necessary written exams. Make sure you keep this form! You\u2019re halfway through the process of receiving your full CDL!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you start practicing driving a commercial vehicle, you need to know about the restrictions that accompany your commercial learner\u2019s permit. You are required to attain your CLP for at least 14 days BEFORE requesting to take your behind-the-wheel road exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While attaining your CLP, you are only allowed to practice driving on PUBLIC ROADS if the vehicle you\u2019re practicing in is of the same class as specified on your New Hampshire commercial learner\u2019s permit or you\u2019re accompanied by a supervisor who holds a CDL with the same classification and endorsements as your CLP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your CLP is valid for 180 days and can be renewed once within 1 year of receiving your initial commercial learner\u2019s permit. During this time, you may want to consider enrolling in a behind-the-wheel CDL training program to prepare to complete the NH DMV\u2019s road test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obtain Your New Hampshire Commercial Driver\u2019s License<\/p>\n\n\n\n As long as you\u2019ve had your CLP for at least 14 days, you are eligible to schedule your CDL road test appointment by calling the DMV at (603) 227-4000. You can only complete the behind-the-wheel exam at select DMV locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before heading to the DMV to complete your road test, make sure you have the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The DMV\u2019s road skills test consists of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t pass the DMV road skills test on your first attempt, no worries! You must visit a DMV location in person to schedule another behind-the-wheel CDL exam. You will also need to pay a retesting fee of $20. After passing the exam, you will be the new owner of a New Hampshire CDL! Congratulations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fees that are associated with applying for an NH CDL must be paid at the time of your CLP, and they are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All New Hampshire CDL applicants must provide the DMV with self-certification and a medical certificate. Both of these documents will be included on a statement of license status that you\u2019ll need to complete and submit to the DMV when you apply for your CLP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CDL Self-Certification<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial drivers are required to self-certify before operating a commercial vehicle. You must indicate whether you\u2019re traveling interstate (across multiple states) or intrastate (only within New Hampshire). You must then determine whether you\u2019re an excepted or non-excepted driver. Excepted drivers are often individuals who are employed by a state or federal agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have determined that you\u2019re a non-excepted driver, you need to include a copy of your medical card while completing your statement of license status. You need to take an official Medical Examiner\u2019s Certificate (Form MCSA-5876<\/a>) to a medical examiner in your area who is approved by the FMCSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suppose you do not meet the minimum medical requirements. In that case, you are still eligible to apply to operate a commercial vehicle as long as you\u2019re driving intrastate only and not transporting hazardous materials. You will need to complete the Application for Waiver of Physical Deficiency (Form DSMV 558<\/a>) and send the completed form to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n New Hampshire Department of Safety<\/strong> You will receive a mailed response to your application, either approving or rejecting your request for a medical waiver. If you\u2019re approved, take the written response with you to the DMV when you apply for your CLP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you operated a commercial vehicle while you were in the military, you may be eligible to waive the DMV\u2019s road skills test. To be qualified for the military skills test waiver, you must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the required application and fees, you need to take a completed Application for Military Skills Test Waiver (Form DSMV 609<\/a>) that is signed by your commanding officer with your military ID or NH driver\u2019s license to an NH DMV office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you ready to take on the open road? Before you hop on your motorcycle and go on an adventure, you need to have a valid NH motorcycle license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are You a New Resident of New Hampshire?<\/p>\n\n\n\n New residents of NH must obtain an NH license within 60 days of establishing residency in the state. To transfer your motorcycle license, you need to visit your local NH DMV office and:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re younger than 18 years old, you may also be required to take a written and\/or skills test. The DMV may require additional steps to transfer a motorcycle endorsement. You can contact your local NH DMV office for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a New Hampshire motorcycle license. Applicants who are younger than 18 years old must meet a few additional requirements BEFORE they visit the NH DMV, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to driving a car, you must have a motorcycle permit before obtaining your full motorcycle license. A written exam is also required. You can take your written test at your local NH DMV office or through a basic rider course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re ready, head to your local NH DMV office and:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are limitations to motorcycle permits in New Hampshire. NH motorcycle permit holders can NOT drive between sunset and sunrise or carry any passengers. Your NH permit will be valid for 45 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must first complete a skills test. In New Hampshire, you can take the exam through the DMV or a basic rider course. If you\u2019re completing your exam through the DMV, you can schedule an appointment by calling (603) 227-4020. The basic rider course is required for motorcycle riders who are younger than 18 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you pass the motorcycle skills test, you can visit your local NH DMV branch to receive your license! Make sure you take the following items with you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n After completing these steps, you will be the awesome owner of a New Hampshire motorcycle license! Hooray!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re younger than 18 years old, you are required to complete a basic rider course. This class is optional for all other NH motorcycle license applicants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To attend this course, students who are younger than 18 years of age will need a valid driver\u2019s license and a signed Motorcycle Safety Course Waiver & Indemnification (Form DSMV 624<\/a>). Adult applicants do NOT need additional paperwork to attend. These motorcycle courses often include a mix of in-classroom and on-road education training. Motorcycle helmets will be provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of the class, you will be eligible to complete your written and skills test. Once you pass these tests, you\u2019ll receive a completion card that you can submit at your local NH DMV branch and receive your motorcycle license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To register for the motorcycle course, you need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\nNew Hampshire Driver\u2019s License Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Taking Your Driving Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Acceptable Identification Documents in New Hampshire<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Obtaining a New Hampshire Driver\u2019s License Under the Age of 18<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
New Residents of New Hampshire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The New Hampshire GDL Program<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Driver\u2019s Education in New Hampshire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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New Hampshire Teenage License Age Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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New Hampshire Youth Operator\u2019s License<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Applying for Your License<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Taking the New Hampshire Road Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Taking the New Hampshire Written Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
New Hampshire Youth Operator\u2019s License Driving Restrictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Getting Your Driver\u2019s License as a New Resident of New Hampshire<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Married, Divorced, or Name Change?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Does the REAL ID Act Impact Residents of New Hampshire?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is Obtaining a REAL ID Mandatory in New Hampshire?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How Do You Prepare to Apply for a REAL ID?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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New Hampshire REAL ID Fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Applying for a Commercial Driver\u2019s License in New Hampshire<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
CDL Eligibility Requirements in New Hampshire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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New Hampshire Commercial Learner\u2019s Permit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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CLP Restrictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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New Hampshire CDL Fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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CDL Self-Certification and Medical Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
CDL Medical Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Division of Motor Vehicles<\/strong>
23 Hazen Drive<\/strong>
Concord, NH 03305<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNew Hampshire CDL Testing Waivers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Applying for a New Hampshire Motorcycle License<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Motorcycle License Eligibility in New Hampshire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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New Hampshire Motorcycle Permits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Motorcycle Permit Limitations in New Hampshire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Motorcycle Licenses in New Hampshire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Applying for a New Hampshire Motorcycle License<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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New Hampshire Motorcycle Education Courses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Registering for Class<\/h3>\n\n\n\n