What is the minimum age for a learner's permit in New Hampshire?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in New Hampshire is 15 years 6 months. The permit must be held for None.

How many supervised driving hours does New Hampshire require?

New Hampshire requires 40 hours, 10 of them at night.

Teen Driving Laws

Permit age, required supervised hours, and intermediate license restrictions for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

How Graduated Driver Licensing Works

Stage 1

Learner's Permit

The first stage permits a new driver to operate a vehicle only while accompanied by a licensed adult supervisor. Most states require the permit to be held for a minimum period and require a stated number of supervised practice hours, part of which may need to be completed at night, before the applicant may advance to the next stage.

Stage 2

Intermediate License

The second stage permits unsupervised driving under defined conditions. Holders are ordinarily prohibited from driving during specified nighttime hours and are limited in the number or age of passengers they may carry. These restrictions remain in effect until the driver reaches a stated age or has held the license for a stated period.

Stage 3

Full License

The final stage removes the nighttime and passenger restrictions imposed during the intermediate stage. A driver who satisfies the conditions for removal holds full driving privileges, subject to the same traffic laws that govern all licensed drivers. Certain states continue to apply specific provisions, such as mobile device prohibitions, to drivers under a stated age.

Select Your State

Choose a jurisdiction to view its permit, supervised driving, and intermediate license requirements.

New Hampshire

Minimum permit age

15 years 6 months

Holding period: None

Required supervised driving hours

40 hours, 10 of them at night

Minimum age for unsupervised driving

Nighttime operation

1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Conditions for removal: Age 18

Passenger limitations

No more than one passenger under 25

Conditions for removal: Licensed 6 months or age 18, whichever comes first (minimum age 16 years 6 months)

Additional provisions

New Hampshire does not issue learner's permits. From 15 years 6 months a teen may drive supervised by a licensed driver 25 or older.
Driver education is required for license applicants under 18.

New Hampshire requires 40 hours of supervised driving.

Drivvy records each drive automatically, with day and night hours tracked separately against New Hampshire's requirement, and exports a log your licensing agency will accept.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum age for a learner's permit in New Hampshire?: The minimum age for a learner's permit in New Hampshire is 15 years 6 months. The permit must be held for None.
How many supervised driving hours does New Hampshire require?: New Hampshire requires 40 hours, 10 of them at night.
What restrictions apply to intermediate license holders in New Hampshire?: Nighttime operation: 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.. Conditions for removal: Age 18. Passenger limitations: No more than one passenger under 25. Conditions for removal: Licensed 6 months or age 18, whichever comes first (minimum age 16 years 6 months).

About this information

Requirements are compiled from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's graduated licensing laws table, current as of October 2026, and restructured by Drivvy.

Last reviewed October 19, 2026.

This material is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Licensing requirements are subject to amendment, and certain provisions vary according to the applicant's age, driver education status, or locality. Readers are advised to verify the requirements then in force with the relevant state licensing agency before relying upon any statement made here.

Source: https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/teenagers/graduated-licensing-laws-table