New Hampshire DMV · Quick Reference 2026

New Hampshire DMV Test Cheat Sheet

Every key number, rule, and fact from the New Hampshire Driver's Manual (DSMV 360, Rev. 11/25) — on one page. Bookmark it or print it.

🏎️ Speed Limits

Interstate / NH turnpikes (4-lane divided)65 mph

I-93, mile 45 to VT border70 mph

Other locations (not otherwise listed)45 or 55 mph

Class V highway outside compact area35 mph

Business or urban residence district30 mph

Rural residence district35 mph

School zone (45 min before/after)10 mph below posted

Minimum interstate speed (good conditions)45 mph

Work zone — finesMay be doubled in a work zone (clearly marked before entry)

💡 NH speed limits represent the maximum under ideal conditions. Reduce speed for rain, fog, snow, ice, or heavy traffic. Driving far slower than the normal flow of traffic is also a hazard and can be a violation.

🅿️ Parking Distances

From fire hydrant15 feet MEMORIZE

From crosswalk at intersection20 feet

From fire station driveway entrance20 feet (75 ft opposite side)

From stop sign / yield / traffic signal30 feet

From nearest rail of railroad crossing50 feet

Rural roadway visibility200 ft each direction

Never park hereIn front of a driveway, on a sidewalk, in an intersection, on a crosswalk, on any bridge, in any tunnel, alongside another parked vehicle (no double parking), or in an access aisle next to an accessible space

🍺 Alcohol & DUI Laws

BAC limit — drivers 21+0.08%

BAC limit — under 210.02% Zero tolerance

BAC limit — CDL / commercial0.04% (federal)

Implied Consent (refuse testing)Loss of driving privileges

Vision impaired starting at0.02% BAC for all drivers

18 hrs without sleep ≈0.05% BAC

21 hrs without sleep ≈0.08% BAC

24 hrs without sleep ≈0.10% BAC

Each ounce of alcohol leaves body in~1 hour

Only thing that reduces alcoholTIME (not coffee, food, showers)

⚠️ NH operates under Implied Consent (RSA 265): by driving in NH you have already consented to blood, breath, urine, or any combination of testing if arrested for an alcohol or drug offense. Refusing testing can result in loss of driving privileges — in addition to any criminal DUI penalty. No driver under 21 may transport alcohol in any part of a vehicle except when accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or legal-age spouse.

⚖️ DUI Penalties (NH Adults)

Offense	Fine	License	Other
1st DUI (Class B misdemeanor)	≥ $500	9 mo – 2 yrs revocation	Required Impaired Driver Education Program
2nd DUI	Higher than 1st	Longer than 1st	Stronger penalties; SR-22 may be required
3rd / subsequent	Higher	Longer revocation	Stronger penalties; SR-22 may be required
Youth Operator: DUI / reckless / 30+ mph over	Per offense	Additional youth-operator penalties	Beyond standard adult violation
Habitual Offender (after hearing)	—	1 to 4 years revocation	Driving while declared HO: imprisonment 1–5 yrs

NH publishes DUI fines as minimums, not ranges. The NH Driver's Manual (DSMV 360, Rev. 11/25) does not list specific dollar amounts for 2nd, 3rd, or 4th offenses; consult the court or RSA 265-A for the current statutory amounts.

📏 Key Distances & Rules

Signal before turn100 feet minimum

Signal before highway lane change/exit500 feet minimum

Following distance (minimum)4-second rule

Following at night+1 second (5 sec total)

Following on unfamiliar road at night+2 seconds (6 sec total)

School bus stop distance25 feet minimum (any direction)

Headlight visibility threshold1,000 feet

Headlights required½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise

Pass bicyclist (≤ 30 mph)3 feet clearance

Pass bicyclist (above 30 mph)+1 foot per 10 mph above 30

RR crossing stop range15–50 feet from nearest rail

Don't follow fire truck (siren/lights)Within 500 feet

Stopping distance @ 50 mph (dry, good brakes)~158 feet

Truck stopping @ 55 mph (loaded)~335 feet (>1.5x a car)

Stopping distance when speed doubles4 times greater

Crash report deadline15 days (death/injury/>$1,000 damage)

💡 NH steering position: hands at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4. Chest-to-wheel distance: 10 inches. Adjust head rest so it contacts the back of your head, but not below the ears.

🔷 Sign Shapes

Shape	Meaning	Example
Octagon (8 sides)	STOP	Stop sign
Inverted triangle	YIELD	Yield sign
Diamond	WARNING	Curves, merges, hills
Pentagon (5 sides)	SCHOOL	School zone/crossing
Circle	RAILROAD	Advance RR warning
Pennant	NO PASSING	No passing zone (left side)
Vertical rectangle	REGULATORY	Speed limits, rules
Horizontal rectangle	GUIDE	Directions, distances
Crossbuck (X)	RR CROSSING	At the crossing itself

🎨 Sign Colors

Color	Meaning
🔴 Red	Stop, yield, do not enter, prohibition
⬜ White	Regulatory — rules and laws
🟡 Yellow	Warning — hazards ahead
🟢 Green	Guide — directions, distances
🔵 Blue	Services — gas, food, hospital
🟠 Orange	Construction / work zone
🟤 Brown	Parks, recreation, historic
💛 Yellow-Green	Pedestrian, school, bicycle

↗️ Right-of-Way Rules

→At a 4-way stop: first to arrive goes first. If tied, driver on the RIGHT goes first.
→At an uncontrolled intersection: yield to the vehicle on the RIGHT.
→Turning left: always yield to oncoming straight-through traffic.
→Entering from alley, driveway, or private road: stop and yield to ALL traffic.
→At a T-intersection (no signs): the vehicle on the terminating road yields.
→Pedestrians in a crosswalk: ALWAYS yield — marked or unmarked.
→Emergency vehicles with lights/sirens: pull to the RIGHT and stop. In a roundabout, exit first, then pull right; never stop inside.
→Visually impaired pedestrian (white cane / guide dog): NH law requires a complete stop — absolute right of way.
→Funeral procession (headlights on behind hearse): allow them to pass as a group.
→Entering a highway from a ramp: yield to drivers already on the limited-access or interstate highway.

🚌 NH School Bus Rules

→Stop at least 25 feet in any direction from a school bus stopped with red lights flashing or stop arm extended.
→Exception: you do NOT need to stop when the roadway is separated by a physical barrier (divided highway).
→Remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the red lights stop operating.
→After the lights stop flashing, proceed slowly — always watch for children near the roadway.
→Buses carrying passengers must stop before any railroad crossing, even with no train coming. Be ready to stop behind them.

🎓 NH Youth Operator Laws

Practice driving age (no permit issued)15½ years

Supervising adult during practiceLicensed, age 25+

Driver-Ed classroom (16/17)30 hours

Driver-Ed in-car practice10 hours

Driver-Ed observation6 hours

Supervised driving with parent/adult40 hrs (10 at night)

Youth Operator License age16 (with all reqs met)

Youth Operator License expires21st birthday

Curfew (under 18)1:00 AM – 4:00 AM

Passengers (first 6 months)Max 1 non-family under 25

Passengers (always)Never more than seat belts

Phone use (under 18)No cell or mobile device, hands-free or not. 911 emergencies only.

🛡️ Child Restraint & Safety Belts (NH)

Under 7 AND under 57 inchesUS DOT child passenger restraint

Anyone under 18Safety belt or child restraint required

Motorcycle helmet (rider/passenger)Required under 18 (DOT-approved)

Shoulder harnessAcross shoulder & chest, minimal slack

Jessica's LawDrivers must clear all snow and ice from their vehicle before driving (RSA 265:79-b). Negligent driving fine: $250–$500 first offense.

🏦 Insurance & Financial Responsibility (NH)

Mandatory auto insurance?No — NH does not require auto insurance for ordinary drivers

Uninsured crashDriver is personally liable for ALL damages and medical bills. NH DMV will suspend driving privileges until a settlement is reached.

SR-22 required afterDUI, leaving the scene, vehicular homicide, 2nd reckless driving, or after a just-cause hearing

Crash reportFile DSMV 400 within 15 days for fatality, injury, or combined damage over $1,000 (a police-investigated crash report satisfies this requirement)

📋 NH License & Administration

License renewal frequencyEvery 5 years on birthday

Renewal notice mailed~2 months before expiration

New residents grace period60 days to obtain NH license

One License Concept (RSA 263:4)Surrender all out-of-state licenses

Vision (both eyes)20/40

Vision (one eye)20/30

Knowledge test40 questions / 40 min / max 8 wrong

Pass requirement80% (32 of 40 correct)

Retest waiting period (after fail)No sooner than 10 days

Temporary license issued60-day paper; permanent mailed within 45 days

Non-Driver ID CardAvailable age 12+

Organ donor registryNH partners with New England Donor Services — neds.org

🚗 Other Must-Know NH Rules

→Handheld phone use while driving (any age): illegal (RSA 265:79-c). Holding the phone near your ear while in motion = presumed to be on a call.
→Texting / inputting GPS data while driving: prohibited. Drivers over 18 may use Bluetooth / hands-free.
→Drivers under 18: no phone or mobile device at all — hands-free or not — except 911.
→Headlights: ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise, OR whenever rain/snow/fog reduces visibility below 1,000 ft.
→Hill parking with curb: turn wheels INTO the curb (downhill or uphill if rolling forward). Set the parking brake.
→Leaving a vehicle unattended: NH law requires you to turn off the engine and remove the key.
→Skidding: ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction the rear is sliding.
→Sherrill's Law (RSA 265:37-a) — Move Over: provide a wide space or change lanes for emergency vehicles, road workers, or any stopped vehicle with warning lights.
→Jessica's Law (RSA 265:79-b) — clear all snow and ice from your vehicle before driving. Negligent Driving fine $250–$500 first offense.

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