New Hampshire (NH)

How many practice hours do you need in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, a learner driver must log 40 hours of supervised driving practice—including 10 at night—before applying for a license.

40
Total practice hours
10
Night hours
15½
Permit age
16
License age

New Hampshire learner permit requirements

  • Minimum permit age: 15½
  • Supervised practice required: 40 hours total, 10 at night
  • Permit hold period: No fixed minimum
  • License eligibility age: 16
  • How hours are certified: 40-hour driving log certified by a parent or guardian (10 hours at night).

New Hampshire requires 40 hours of supervised driving with at least 10 at night, on top of the behind-the-wheel hours in a required driver-education course. New Hampshire does not issue a physical learner's permit — a licensed adult simply supervises practice.

Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the New Hampshire DMV before applying.

New Hampshire's graduated licensing stages

1
Supervised practice · age 15½

No physical permit is issued; drive with a licensed adult 25+; log 40 hours (10 at night).

2
Youth operator license · age 16

Issued after driver education and the road test; night and passenger limits apply.

3
Full license · age 18

Youth operator restrictions are removed.

Driving restrictions for new New Hampshire drivers

Night driving

Youth operator license holders under 18 can't drive between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Passengers

For the first 6 months, drivers under 18 may not carry more than one passenger under 25 unless they're family or a licensed adult 25+ is present.

Phone use

Drivers under 18 may not use any mobile electronic device while driving, even hands-free.

Log every New Hampshire practice hour automatically

DriveMint tracks each supervised drive with GPS, separates day and night hours, and generates a DMV-ready report—so you can prove all 40 hours without a paper logbook.

New Hampshire driving practice FAQs

How many driving hours do you need in New Hampshire?+

New Hampshire requires 40 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before a teen can apply for a license.

Does New Hampshire issue a learner's permit?+

No — New Hampshire does not issue a physical learner's permit. Anyone 15½ or older may practice while supervised by a licensed adult 25 or older.

How many hours does New Hampshire require?+

40 hours of supervised driving including at least 10 at night, in addition to driver-education behind-the-wheel time.

Requirements in other states

Compare practice hours in all 50 states side by side, or read what actually counts as a night driving hour.