New Hampshire Permit Test Format: 40 Questions, Computer Testing and Topics

The New Hampshire knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions drawn from the NH Driver's Manual. You need 32 correct answers to pass, which is 80 percent. The test covers road signs, traffic laws, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. Road sign questions are the most commonly failed section. See shoro.ai New Hampshire Learner Permits.

New Hampshire permit test format: 40 questions and what they cover

The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administers a standardized computer-based test. All applicants take the same exam.

How many questions are on the NH knowledge test?

The permit test has 40 multiple-choice questions.

• Total Questions: 40
• Passing Score: 32 correct (80%)
• Format: Multiple-choice only

What question categories and topics appear on the NH permit test?

The instruction permit exam questions are randomly selected from a pool covering specific categories.

One-quarter of the test focuses on road sign identification.

What does the New Hampshire knowledge test look like on the DMV computer?

The exam is taken on a touchscreen kiosk. Questions are multiple-choice, not true/false.

1. Randomized Questions: Each test-taker gets a set of 40 questions drawn from the DMV knowledge-test pool.
2. ✗ No Skipping: You must answer each question as presented before proceeding.
3. ✓ Automatic Failure: The official NH Driver's Manual says the test automatically ends after more than 8 incorrect answers. Do not assume the system ends the test early as soon as you reach 32 correct answers.

How long is a passed New Hampshire knowledge test valid?

A passed New Hampshire knowledge examination is valid for one year. If you do not complete the licensing process within that period, the old knowledge-test result no longer remains valid for the next licensing step.

Do you have to pass the NH knowledge test before taking the road test?

Yes. New Hampshire requires the knowledge examination before the road-skills examination when a road test is required. Passing the written test does not by itself give you solo-driving privileges.

What happens if the DMV catches you cheating on the knowledge test? If cheating or unauthorized help is found, the examination can be stopped and reexamination cannot be scheduled sooner than 30 days later.

What to know before sitting down for the New Hampshire knowledge test

New Hampshire does not issue a physical learner's permit. You take this 40-question knowledge test when applying for your driver's license.

Fees and Retest Policy

• Standard Class D license and examination: $50 under the current fee statute.
• After a failed knowledge test: Reexamination is scheduled no sooner than 10 days after the failure.
• No separate $10 Class D retest fee: The current fee statute does not list the article's former $10 noncommercial knowledge-test retest fee.

For failure and rescheduling details, see Failed & Retakes. Document and appointment requirements are covered separately.

Key Rules to Know

• Language support: The current NH Driver's Manual lists automated test options in English, American Sign Language, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Farsi, and Mandarin Chinese, with automated oral testing available.
• Road signs: Sign questions are part of the same 40-question knowledge test rather than a separate sign exam.

What should you focus on before taking the NH knowledge test?

Focus on New Hampshire-specific laws, like fines and BAC limits. Many applicants fail by underestimating these questions.

Anecdote: At the Concord DMV, a test-taker failed twice on questions about parking distances from fire hydrants and school zones, details not heavily emphasized in generic study guides.

Practice with full-length question sets so you are comfortable with the computerized multiple-choice format and New Hampshire-specific topics.