Driving Tests

Can You Take the New Hampshire Driving Test in Another Language?

informational·how to guide·Published August 22, 2026

Can you take the New Hampshire driving test in another language?

Yes, for the knowledge test. Under rule Saf-C 1005.03, an applicant who speaks or reads a language other than English takes an oral or written test that the director designates, in the same format as the standard test. An applicant who speaks and reads another language takes the standard test with an interpreter. The pass mark stays at 80% correct answers.

Where these New Hampshire test facts come from

The language, interpreter, pass mark and retest rules come from the Saf-C 1000 driver license rules of the New Hampshire Department of Safety, parts Saf-C 1005 and 1006. The rules on who must pass license examinations, and who gives them, come from RSA 263:6, the state law. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.nh.gov) before you drive.

How the New Hampshire knowledge test works in another language

How the New Hampshire knowledge test works in another language
Your situation	How you take the test	Rule
You speak or read a language other than English	An oral or written test that the director designates, in the same format as the standard test	Saf-C 1005.03(a)
You take an oral test	Only authorized licensing personnel, or an interpreter where one applies, give it	Saf-C 1005.03(b)
You speak and read a language other than English	The standard knowledge test, with the help of an interpreter	Saf-C 1005.03(c)
You have not held a New Hampshire license before	You pass the examinations the director sets. They may include vision, knowledge and road skill tests	RSA 263:6, I

If your interpreter breaks the test rules

If your interpreter cheats in any way

You are disqualified at once, and the DMV sets a new test date (Saf-C 1005.03(d)).

If your interpreter consults with anyone other than authorized licensing personnel

The same result applies: immediate disqualification, then a new date.

If you cheat or consult with another person yourself

The same rule applies to every applicant. You are disqualified at once, and the new test is no sooner than 30 days later (Saf-C 1005.02(b)).

If you come back after your interpreter broke the rules

The new date is no sooner than 30 days later, and you may not appear with the same interpreter. Plan to bring a different one.

Same test format and same 80% pass mark in any language

A test in another language has the same format as the standard knowledge test in Saf-C 1005.01. That means up to 50 multiple choice questions that the director picks for the class of license you ask for. Each question has one correct answer and focuses on New Hampshire motor vehicle laws. Every applicant passes with 80% of the answers correct, and the written test allows up to 60 minutes. For more on the written exam, read our New Hampshire written driving test guide.

How to prepare for a New Hampshire knowledge test in another language

1
Ask the DMV before your visit
Ask which format, oral or written, the director designates for your language, and how the office handles an interpreter. Do this before the test day so that you can plan.
2
Tell your interpreter the rules
Tell your interpreter before the test that they may consult only with authorized licensing personnel. A broken rule ends your attempt.
3
Study the topics the test covers
The questions focus on New Hampshire motor vehicle laws. By law, they include distracted driving, driving under the influence and driving during poor weather conditions.
4
Plan your next steps within one year
A passed knowledge test is valid for one year (Saf-C 1005.02(d)). Book any other exam that the director sets for you, such as a road skills exam, inside that year.

If you fail the New Hampshire knowledge test

If you fail

The DMV tells you the specific reasons for the failure.

If you want to test again the same day

No further exam is given on that date unless the director decides otherwise. One example is a failure of the computer testing software that is not your fault.

If you book a retest

The director sets a new date no sooner than 10 days after the failure (Saf-C 1006.07(b)). Our free practice question on the earliest retest date checks this rule.

Our New Hampshire practice tests are in English only

Our free New Hampshire practice tests and question pages are in English only. They cover New Hampshire road rules and signs, so you can use them to learn the topics before the test day. Then ask the DMV which test format it gives for your language. If the director also sets a road skills exam for you, read our New Hampshire road test guide.

Key takeaways

If you speak or read a language other than English, you take an oral or written knowledge test that the director designates, in the same format as the standard test.
If you speak and read a language other than English, you take the standard test with an interpreter.
If you or your interpreter cheats, you are disqualified and wait at least 30 days. After an interpreter cheats, you may not bring the same interpreter to the new date.
The pass mark is 80% for every applicant, and a pass is valid for one year.
Next step: practice on the free New Hampshire non-commercial operator practice test.

New Hampshire knowledge test in another language: common questions

Which languages can I take the New Hampshire knowledge test in?

The rule covers any applicant who speaks or reads a language other than English, and the director designates the oral or written test for each case. Ask the New Hampshire DMV before your visit which format it gives for your language, and if you need to bring an interpreter.

Who gives an oral driving test in New Hampshire?

Only authorized licensing personnel, or an interpreter where one applies, may conduct an oral knowledge test under Saf-C 1005.03(b). State law adds that Department of Safety personnel conduct all license examinations. When you book, ask the DMV who will read the questions to you.

Is the pass mark lower with an oral test or an interpreter?

No. Saf-C 1005.02(c) gives one pass mark for every applicant: 80% of the answers correct. The oral or written test that the director designates for your language follows the same format, so you prepare for the same kind of multiple choice questions.

What happens if my interpreter cheats on the test?

You are disqualified at once. The same applies if your interpreter consults with anyone other than authorized licensing personnel. Your new test is no sooner than 30 days later, and you may not bring the same interpreter to it, so plan to find a different one.

Are New Hampshire practice tests available in other languages?

Our free New Hampshire practice tests are in English only. Use them to learn the rules, then ask the DMV about the test format for your language. The questions on the knowledge test focus on New Hampshire motor vehicle laws, including distracted driving, driving under the influence and driving in poor weather.