• 7 min read

Ace Your 2025 New Hampshire Permit Test: 15 Practice Questions You'll Likely See

Before you can demonstrate your driving skills on the road, you first need to prove your knowledge of the rules. In New Hampshire, this means passing the 40-question, multiple-choice written knowledge test. With a required passing score of 80% (meaning you can't miss more than 8 questions), preparation is absolutely essential.

The entire test is drawn from the official New Hampshire Driver's Manual. While reading the manual is the best way to prepare, testing your knowledge with practice questions is a fantastic way to gauge your readiness and build confidence for the real thing.

To help you on your way, we’ve compiled 15 practice questions that reflect the format and topics you’re likely to encounter at the NH DMV. Below each question, you'll find the correct answer and an explanation to help you understand the reasoning.

New Hampshire Knowledge Test Practice

Question 1: In New Hampshire, when are you required to use your headlights?

a) Only from sunset to sunrise. b) When you cannot clearly see 500 feet ahead. c) From a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, and when visibility is less than 1,000 feet. d) Only when it is raining or snowing.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: New Hampshire law is specific about headlight use. You must have them on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Additionally, they are required any other time when weather or lighting conditions prevent you from clearly seeing people or vehicles 1,000 feet away.

a) 0.10% b) 0.08% c) 0.05% d) 0.02%

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: It is illegal for a person 21 or older to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. For drivers under 21, New Hampshire has a much stricter limit of 0.02%.

Question 3: A solid yellow line on your side of the road means:

a) You are in a passing zone. b) The road is ending. c) You are not allowed to pass. d) You may pass only if the way is clear.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Road markings are a key part of traffic communication. A solid yellow line on your side of the centerline indicates a "no-passing zone." You may not cross this line to overtake another vehicle. A broken yellow line indicates passing is permitted when safe.

Question 4: Under the Youth Operator License restrictions, a driver under 18 may not drive between what hours?

a) 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. b) Midnight and 5 a.m. c) 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. d) 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: New Hampshire's Youth Operator laws include a late-night driving curfew to protect new drivers. Unless accompanied by a licensed adult (25+) or traveling to/from work or a school event, a driver under 18 cannot be on the road between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Question 5: What does a red, eight-sided (octagonal) sign mean?

a) Yield. b) Stop. c) Warning. d) Railroad Crossing.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The octagonal shape is reserved exclusively for stop signs. When you see this sign, you must come to a complete stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection and yield to any crossing traffic or pedestrians.

Question 6: The "Basic Speed Law" in New Hampshire requires you to:

a) Always drive at the posted speed limit. b) Drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for the conditions. c) Stay at least 5 mph below the speed limit. d) Match the speed of the fastest car on the road.

Explanation: The Basic Speed Law is a fundamental concept. It means that regardless of the posted speed limit, you must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions. This includes slowing down for rain, snow, fog, heavy traffic, or road construction.

Question 7: For the first six months, a Youth Operator License holder cannot have more than how many non-family passengers under the age of 25?

a) Zero b) One c) Two d) Three

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: To minimize distractions for the newest drivers, the Youth Operator License has a passenger restriction. For the first six months, the driver cannot carry more than one passenger under the age of 25 who is not a member of their family, unless a licensed adult aged 25 or older is also in the vehicle.

Question 8: If you accumulate 12 demerit points in a single calendar year (if you're over 21), what is the penalty?

a) A warning letter. b) Mandatory driver retraining. c) A license suspension of up to 3 months. d) A $500 fine.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: New Hampshire's point system tracks traffic violations. For drivers 21 and older, accumulating 12 points in one calendar year can result in a license suspension of up to three months. The thresholds are lower for younger drivers.

Question 9: What does a diamond-shaped road sign indicate?

a) Regulatory information (like speed limits). b) Route marker. c) Motorist services. d) A warning of a potential hazard ahead.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: Diamond-shaped signs are used as warning signs. They alert you to conditions that require special caution, such as a sharp curve, a slippery road, or a deer crossing.

Question 10: When parking your vehicle downhill on a street with a curb, you should turn your front wheels:

a) Straight ahead. b) Towards the curb. c) Away from the curb. d) It does not matter.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: This is a critical safety maneuver. When parking downhill, turn your wheels towards the curb. This way, if your vehicle's brakes were to fail, the front tire would roll into the curb, stopping the car. The opposite is true for parking uphill: turn your wheels away from the curb.

Question 11: The "three-second rule" helps you to:

a) Judge how long it takes to stop. b) Maintain a safe following distance. c) Time your merge onto a highway. d) Know how long to signal a turn.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: To avoid tailgating, use the three-second rule. Watch the vehicle ahead of you pass a fixed object (like a signpost). Begin counting "one-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand." If you pass the same object before you finish counting, you are following too closely. Increase the count to four or more seconds in bad weather.

Question 12: A flashing yellow traffic light at an intersection means:

a) Stop and wait for a green light. b) The light is about to turn red. c) Slow down and proceed with caution. d) Stop and yield to all cross traffic.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: A flashing yellow light means proceed with caution. You do not need to stop, but you should slow down, be alert, and be prepared to stop for any crossing traffic or pedestrians.

Question 13: You are approaching an intersection and the traffic light is red, but a police officer is signaling you to proceed. You should:

a) Obey the traffic light and stop. b) Honk to get the officer's attention. c) Pull over and wait. d) Obey the police officer's instructions.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: In any situation where traffic signals and a law enforcement officer's directions conflict, you must always obey the officer. Their instructions override the automated signals.

Question 14: What is the maximum speed limit in a rural residential district unless otherwise posted?

a) 25 mph b) 30 mph c) 35 mph d) 45 mph

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Unless a sign indicates a different speed, the statutory speed limit in any rural residence district in New Hampshire is 35 mph. In a business or urban residence district, it's 30 mph.

Question 15: If an emergency vehicle is approaching from any direction with its siren and flashing lights on, you must:

a) Speed up to get out of the way. b) Continue at your current speed. c) Pull over to the right side of the road and stop. d) Stop immediately, even if in an intersection.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: When you see or hear an emergency vehicle, you must immediately yield the right-of-way. Safely pull over to the right-hand edge of the roadway, clear of any intersections, and come to a complete stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.

How to Guarantee Success

These questions are a great start, but true mastery comes from studying the New Hampshire Driver's Manual. Focus on chapters covering traffic laws, signs, signals, and the Youth Operator laws. By combining diligent study with practice tests, you can walk into the DMV ready to pass your knowledge test on the first attempt.