Driving Tests

Can International Students Drive in New Hampshire on a Home License?

informational·how to guide·Published April 30, 2026

Can international students drive in New Hampshire on a home license?

Under RSA 263:36, a nonresident with a license from the state, district or country where he or she lives does not need a New Hampshire license to drive a pleasure vehicle. An enrolled student who lives in New Hampshire temporarily may also apply for a New Hampshire license. It lasts up to 5 years, or until the visa or the I-20 or DS-2019 form expires, if that comes first.

Where the New Hampshire student driving rules come from

The rules come from the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA): RSA 263:36 on reciprocal driving, RSA 263:39-a on licenses for aliens who live in the state temporarily, and RSA 263:35, 263:37 and 263:42 on residency, vehicles and fees. The documents, tests and license term come from the Department of Safety rules in Saf-C 1000, sections 1002.05 and 1003.04. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.nh.gov) before you drive.

When your home license is enough in New Hampshire

Your home license must come from the place where you live. If it does, you do not need a New Hampshire license to drive a pleasure vehicle in the state. This reciprocity rule is RSA 263:36.
RSA 263:37 covers a car of a nonresident that is not registered in New Hampshire, or that has a neutral zone registration. Its owner, or the owner's employee, may drive it on a license from the place where the car is registered, if that place gives the same right to New Hampshire residents.

Which New Hampshire rule fits a student?

If you live in New Hampshire for a time to attend a school and want a state license

RSA 263:39-a lets the director issue a license to a nonresident alien who lives in New Hampshire on a temporary basis to attend a school. Use the documents and steps below.

If you become a bona fide resident of New Hampshire

RSA 263:35 gives a driver with a valid license from another place a maximum of 60 days from the date of residency to get a New Hampshire license. The director may extend a deadline for good cause. Our free question on the 60-day deadline for new residents checks this rule.

If you stop being a resident within 60 days of becoming one, before you get a New Hampshire license

RSA 263:35 says you must tell the director that you left the state.

Who can get a New Hampshire student license

The director may issue a license to a nonresident alien who lives in New Hampshire on a temporary basis to attend a public or private school. The school must have a regular faculty, curriculum and organized body of students, and you must be enrolled. The spouse or child of a licensed alien may also be licensed.
The law says the director "may" issue the license, so it is not automatic. The director may deny a license if licensure may be contrary to public safety.

What the director may require from a student applicant

Certification from your government about your driving record and licensing status.
A Social Security number, or a certification that you do not qualify for one that the commissioner accepts.
Written or other testing.
Proof that you meet the conditions: you live in New Hampshire temporarily and you are enrolled.
Proof of identification that the director accepts.
Proof of previous driving in your home country, or proof that you finished an approved driver education course.

Documents the rule lists for a non-U.S. citizen student

Documents the rule lists for a non-U.S. citizen student
Document	What Saf-C 1002.05 lists
Visa	A visa for attending a learning institution, in the name of the applicant. It may include the spouse or dependent.
I-94 card	A valid I-94 card in the name of the applicant that shows the date of entry into the United States.
I-20 or DS-2019 form	A valid form that the learning institution completed in the name of the applicant. It authorizes attendance, or shows that the applicant is a spouse or dependent.
Optional practical training card	A valid card, if you train for a period of time after graduation.
Social Security evidence	A Social Security card, proof that a number was issued, proof that you are not eligible for one, or a W-2. The rule ties this item to practical training, and RSA 263:39-a says the director may require a number or a certification.
Proof of residency	The rule lists it for students too. Ask the DMV which proof it accepts.

How a student applies for a New Hampshire license, step by step

1
Collect your documents
Bring the visa, I-94 card, I-20 or DS-2019 form and the other items from the table.
2
Go to the right DMV office
A non-U.S. citizen who lives in New Hampshire temporarily must appear at the Division of Motor Vehicles in Concord (23 Hazen Drive) or at another DMV location that offers non-U.S. citizen driver license transactions.
3
Pass the tests in order
For an original license, a non-U.S. citizen takes the vision examination, then the knowledge test, then the road skills examination.
4
Show your home license or give a written statement
If you surrender a license from your home country, the director checks that it is genuine, was issued to you and is not suspended or revoked. If you hold none, you state in writing that you never held a home license, or that you held a license in the United States.
5
Submit form DSMV 450 and pay the fee
With form DSMV 450, the statutory fee and your documents, the director issues a 45-day temporary permit. The fee is $10 (U.S. dollars) per year or portion of a year for a nonresident alien license of less than 5 years, in force since January 1, 2026. For example, a license that runs 2 years and 3 months counts as 3 periods: 3 x $10 = $30.
6
Wait for the mail
When the director finds that the surrendered license is not suspended or revoked and that you have no pending actions, the director mails the New Hampshire license to you.

How long a New Hampshire student license lasts

The law sets a term of no longer than 5 years from the date of issue, and the director may set a shorter term to match the length of your residence in New Hampshire. The rule adds end dates: the license ends after 5 years, or earlier on the date your visa, your I-20 or DS-2019 form or your employment status expires.
If you applied for an immigration status extension before your current stay ends, kept your New Hampshire residency and can show that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services accepted the application, you receive a 120-day extension on application. Other drivers can read about driving on a foreign license.

Key takeaways

A nonresident with a license from the place where he or she lives does not need a New Hampshire license to drive a pleasure vehicle (RSA 263:36).
A student who lives in New Hampshire temporarily may apply under RSA 263:39-a. The director may issue the license, and may deny it.
Bring a visa, an I-94 card, an I-20 or DS-2019 form and proof of residency to the DMV in Concord, or to another DMV office that offers non-U.S. citizen license transactions.
The license lasts up to 5 years, or until your visa or your I-20 or DS-2019 form expires, if that comes first.
Next step: practice on the free New Hampshire non-commercial operator practice test, which is in English only.

International students and New Hampshire licenses: common questions

Do the same driving laws apply to me as to other New Hampshire drivers?

Yes. RSA 263:39-a says that once you are licensed under that section, you are subject to the same provisions of the law as all other licensees. The difference is the term: the law caps it at 5 years from the date of issue, and the director may set a shorter term to match the length of your residence in New Hampshire.

Do I still take the driving tests if I have a license from my home country?

Yes. Under Saf-C 1003.04, each non-U.S. citizen who applies for an original New Hampshire license passes a vision test, a knowledge test and a road skills test, in that order. If you hand in your home license, the director also checks that it is genuine, was issued to you and is not suspended or revoked.

What if I never had a license in my home country?

Give the DMV a written statement that you never held a license in your home country, or that you held a license in the United States. The director may also ask for proof that you finished an approved driver education course.

What happens to my license when I stop being a student?

When you no longer meet the conditions of RSA 263:39-a, for example when you are no longer enrolled, you must return the license to the director at once, and the license becomes invalid. The license also ends on the date your visa or your I-20 or DS-2019 form expires, if that comes before 5 years.

Do I get my license fee back if I fail a test?

No. Under RSA 263:42, no license fee is refunded once you take an examination or the DMV issues a license, except as RSA 263:43 provides. For a license issued to a nonresident alien for less than 5 years, the fee is $10 (U.S. dollars) per year or portion of a year.