Driving Tests

New Hampshire Youth Operator License at 16: Requirements and Steps

informational·how to guide·Published August 20, 2026

What does a teen need for a New Hampshire license at 16?

New Hampshire issues a youth operator license from age 16 until the 21st birthday, when it expires. Under 18, you need an approved driver education certificate, 40 hours of supervised driving with 10 at night (form DSMV 509), and parent or guardian consent (form DSMV 38), proof of insurance or emancipation. Then you pass the vision, knowledge and road tests. The fee is $10 per year, up to $50.

Where the New Hampshire youth license facts come from

The age, driver education, supervised driving, hardship license and expiration rules come from RSA 263:14 and RSA 263:19, plus RSA 263:10, 263:17, 263:21 and 263:42. The forms, tests and retest wait come from the Department of Safety rules in Saf-C 1000. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.nh.gov) before you drive.

New Hampshire youth operator license requirements under 18

New Hampshire youth operator license requirements under 18
Requirement	What it means	Form or rule
Age	16 or older and under 21.	RSA 263:14
Driver education certificate	At least 30 hours of classroom, 10 hours behind the wheel and 6 hours of observation. No more than 15 classroom hours may be online.	RSA 263:19; Saf-C 3100
Supervised driving	40 more hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours at night.	Form DSMV 509
Consent, insurance or emancipation	Written permission from a parent, step parent or legal guardian, or an insurance statement, or proof of emancipation.	Form DSMV 38
Application	Application for Driver License or non-Driver ID Card.	Form DSMV 450
Tests	Vision, knowledge and road skills examinations, in that order.	Saf-C 1003.02

How a New Hampshire teen gets a youth operator license, step by step

1
Finish an approved driver education course
A public or nonpublic secondary school approved by the department of education, or a licensed motor vehicle drivers' school, can give the course. You hand in its certificate with your application. Our free question on the minimum course hours for a 16-year-old checks this step.
2
Drive 40 supervised hours
A licensed parent, step parent or legal guardian supervises. With none, a licensed adult over 25 may supervise. At least 10 hours must fall from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. The supervisor certifies the hours on form DSMV 509. Our free question on how many supervised hours a 16-year-old must certify checks this step.
3
Get the consent form
Form DSMV 38, the Parent or Guardian Authorization Certificate, carries one of three things: written permission from a parent, step parent or legal guardian; a certified statement from an authorized insurance company representative that you are insured; or proof of emancipation by marriage or under RSA 461-B.
4
Complete the application
Fill in form DSMV 450. Under 18, you also report any convictions or pending actions under RSA 259:39.
5
Pass the three tests
You take the vision test, then the knowledge test, then the road skills examination.

The New Hampshire vision and knowledge tests

The vision test is an electronic test or the Snellen eye chart. One way to pass is to read the line of symbols marked 20/40 with both eyes.
The knowledge test has up to 50 multiple choice questions, and you get up to 60 minutes. You need 80% correct answers to pass, and a passed test stays valid for one year. After a failed test, the retest date is no sooner than 10 days later, with exceptions in the rule. Our New Hampshire written test guide covers the test topics and retakes.

Youth operator license fee in New Hampshire

The fee for a youth operator license and examination is $10 per year, up to $50, under RSA 263:42 (in force since January 1, 2026). No fee is refunded once you take an examination or get a license. If you miss a license appointment, the state keeps the application for 12 months, then destroys it, and the fee is forfeited.
After a suspension under RSA 263:14, the fee to restore the license is $50.

Hardship license to and from school for a 16 or 17-year-old

If you are 16 or 17, have not finished approved driver education, have no readily available transportation to and from school, and driver education would cause undue hardship

The director may permit a license limited to driving to and from school and school assignments, under RSA 263:21. You must still meet the other license requirements.

If you hold this school-only license

The youth operator limits in RSA 263:14, II, such as no driving from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., do not apply to you.

If you can finish an approved driver education course

Apply for the full youth operator license with the course certificate, form DSMV 509 for the 40 supervised hours and form DSMV 38.

When a New Hampshire youth operator license expires

Your youth operator license expires on your 21st birthday. The five-year expiration rule for other New Hampshire licenses does not apply to it.
While you are under 18, the law sets youth operator limits, such as no driving from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. Read the youth operator restrictions before your first solo drive.

Key takeaways

A New Hampshire youth operator license covers ages 16 to under 21 and expires on the 21st birthday.
Under 18, hand in a driver education certificate, form DSMV 509 for 40 supervised hours (10 at night) and form DSMV 38 for consent.
Take the tests in this order: vision, knowledge, road skills. You need 80% to pass the knowledge test.
The fee is $10 per year, up to $50.
Next step: practice on the free New Hampshire non-commercial operator practice test.

New Hampshire youth operator license: common questions

Do I need driver's ed and 40 hours if I am 18 or older?

No. The driver education certificate, the 40 supervised hours and form DSMV 38 are rules for applicants under 18. From 18 to under 21, you still get a youth operator license, and as a first-time applicant you pass the vision, knowledge and road skills tests in that order.

What if I have no parent or guardian to sign the consent form?

The law lets another responsible adult give the written permission when there is no parent or guardian. The rule for form DSMV 38 names an adult who has assumed legal responsibility for you. The form can also carry an insurance statement or proof of emancipation instead. Ask the DMV which adult can sign in your case.

Can I get a waiver of driver's ed rules for a disability?

You can ask. A person with a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act may request a waiver of a requirement of RSA 263:19 from the commissioner of safety. The commissioner or his or her agents decide at their discretion.

Can I get my adult license before I turn 21?

Since July 1, 2026, the director may issue a temporary license up to 30 days before your 21st birthday. The physical license comes only on or after that birthday. The temporary license is valid for driving until the new license is issued, and for up to 60 days after the youth license expires.