Driver Education

Driver Education is helpful at any age, but it is required for individuals under the age of 18 who wish to apply for a New Hampshire driver license.

Persons under 18 years old must take an approved driver education program.  Driver Education is offered at over 60 Commercial Driver Education Schools and some public high schools in New Hampshire which are licensed by the NH DMV.

Age Requirement

Pursuant to Saf-C 3110, students must be: 

  • 15 years and 9 months of age on or before the first regularly scheduled classroom session of the course in which they are enrolled; or
  • Their 16th birthday occurs on or before their last regularly scheduled classroom session of the course in which they are enrolled.

NH Driver Education classes fill quickly therefore it is recommended that you contact an approved commercial driver education school or a local high school program several months in advance for enrollment information.

Driver Education Requirements

Driver Education classes consist of the following requirements:

  • At least thirty (30) hours of classroom instruction with a certified driver education instructor,
  • At least ten (10) hours of practice driving with a certified driver education instructor,
  • At least six (6) hours of driving observation with a certified driver education instructor.
     

Additional Supervised Driving

In addition to the above, each student must log forty (40) additional hours of supervised driving time with a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult prior to applying for a driver license.  Logged driving time may begin when the driver is 15½ years old.  Please see our Learning to Drive section for practice driving requirements.

Included in the requirements for the forty (40) additional hours of supervised driving time is at least ten (10) hours to be completed at night. The additional driving time must be certified by the student and the parent or guardian and may be logged by using the Certification of Additional Supervised Driving (Log Sheet) or the resources offered through The Parent's Supervised Driving Program, including their Road Ready App.

Upon completion of the Driver Education Program and the forty (40) hours of additional driving time, the individual may apply for a New Hampshire driver license. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 will be issued a Youth Operator License which will expire on their 21st birthday.

Contact

If you have questions regarding Driver Education in New Hampshire, please contact:

NH Dept. of Safety
DMV - Driver Education
23 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
(603) 227-4075