Driver's Training in New Hampshire

New Hampshire Driver's Training

If you're a teenager applying for your first driver's license with the New Hampshire Department of Safety (DOS) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you'll need to complete both a driver's education course AND supervised driving practice.

Your behind-the-wheel practice as part of Driver's Ed will help you gain the skills and experience necessary to pass your driving test and get on the road with your first driver's license.

On this page you'll find information about your behind-the-wheel driver's training requirements and how to obtain your new driver's license.

NH Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

If you are younger than 18 years old and are applying for your first driver's license, you'll need to:

  • Complete an approved Driver's Ed program, including the behind-the-wheel component.
  • Complete at least 40 hours (10 hours at night) of additional supervised driving practice.

You'll be able to begin your behind-the-wheel requirements when you are at least 15 1/2 years old by enrolling in Driver's Ed and practice driving with a licensed adult.

For more information about your driver's education requirements, please visit our Driver's Ed in New Hampshire page.

New Hampshire Driver's Training Course

If you're younger than 18 years old, you must complete Driver's Ed, which includes an in-car driver's training component. Driver's Ed can be taken at:

  • Public schools.
  • Professional driving schools.

The in-car portion of your program will include at least:

  • 10 hours of behind-the-wheel practice with a certified driving instructor.
  • 6 hours of driving observation.

Generally, you'll begin driver's training after you complete the classroom portion of Driver's Ed.

For a complete list of professional driver's training schools in your area, please visit the New Hampshire DMV website.

Required Driving Practice

The New Hampshire DMV does not require you to obtain a learner's permit before beginning your behind-the-wheel practice.

You can start supervised driving practice when you are at least 15 1/2 years old. Your parent/legal guardian or other licensed adult who is at least 25 years old must accompany you.

In addition to driver's training with a driver's instructor (see “ New Hampshire Driver's Training Course" above), you'll need to complete at least 40 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving practice, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

You can keep track of your practice hours with the Driver’s Out-of-Class Log Sheet (Form DSMV 509), which your parent/legal guardian will need to sign and you'll need to submit when you apply for your driver's license.

Next Steps – NH Driver's License

You'll be eligible to take your road test and apply for your first driver's license when you:

  • Are at least 16 years old.
  • Have completed both the classroom and driver's training components of Driver's Ed.
  • Have completed your behind-the-wheel supervised driving practice and submitted your Driver's Out-of-Class Log Sheet (Form DSMV 509).

When you satisfy the requirements above, make appointment at your local New Hampshire DMV office to take your driving test.

For more information, please visit our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in New Hampshire page.

Please enter your ZIP code OR city and state abbreviation

Forms

DSMV 509
Drivers Out-of-Class Log Sheet
Minors must submit this completed driving log to the New Hampshire DMV to prove they completed the required number of supervised driving hours as part of applying for a driver's license.
DMV.ORG BBB Business Review