What to Bring to the New Hampshire DMV for Your Permit Test
Don't get sent home. Here's the complete checklist — documents, fees, forms, and what to leave at home.
Before You Go
- →Call ahead or check the website to see if your local office requires an appointment
- →Download the New Hampshire Driver's Manual and study the rules of the road
- →Have your parent/guardian check their ID and residency docs before you leave the house
- →Arrive at least 15 minutes early to get your number and fill out any last-minute paperwork
- →Make sure you have your Social Security card or a document with your number on it
- →Double-check that your birth certificate is the certified original, not a hospital keepsake copy
- →Get a good night's sleep so you're sharp for the written test
Required Documents
Proof of Identity (Primary Document)
- ✓Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card
- ✓Certified U.S. Birth Certificate
- ✓Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- ✓Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
- ✓Valid Foreign Passport with valid U.S. Visa and I-94
You must bring the original document; photocopies are not accepted. If you want a REAL ID, ensure your birth certificate is certified (has a raised seal or stamp).
Proof of Social Security Number
- ✓Social Security Card
- ✓W-2 Form with full SSN
- ✓Paystub with full SSN
- ✓SSA-1099 Form
- ✓Non-SSA-1099 Form
New Hampshire requires proof of your SSN. If you don't have a card, bring a document showing the number (like a W-2). If you are not eligible for an SSN, you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating ineligibility.
Proof of New Hampshire Residency
Bring 2 of these:
- ✓Utility bill (electric, water, gas) in parent's name
- ✓Bank statement with current address
- ✓Parent's mortgage or lease agreement
- ✓School report card or transcript with current address
- ✓New Hampshire vehicle registration or title
For a standard license, one document is usually enough, but for REAL ID, you must bring two different documents proving you live in NH. Both must show your name and current address.
Parental / Guardian Consent (applicants under 18)
- ✓Parent or legal guardian must sign the application in person at the DMV
- ✓Parent must present their own valid photo ID
- ✓If parents are divorced, the custodial parent usually signs, but bring custody papers if unsure
- ✓Legal guardians must bring court documents proving guardianship
- ✓Foster parents must bring specific agency documentation
The parent or guardian MUST be physically present with you at the DMV to sign. They cannot sign it at home and bring it in; they have to do it right there in front of the clerk.
Fees & Payment
$10
This $10 fee covers the application for the learner's permit. It is valid for 2 years. If you fail the written test, you may need to pay a small re-testing fee depending on the office, but the permit fee itself is a one-time cost for the 2-year period.
Accepted payment:
Forms
Application for Driver's License (Form DL-180)
Available at: Available at any DMV office or downloadable from the NH DMV website
Do not sign the form until you are in front of the DMV clerk. If you fill it out at home, leave the signature line blank.
What NOT to Bring
- ✗Your cell phone (use it only for navigation to get there, then put it away)
- ✗Large backpacks or bags (storage is limited)
- ✗Friends or siblings (they can't help you take the test)
- ✗Pets (they are not allowed inside the DMV)
- ✗Food or drinks (no eating or drinking at the counters)
- ✗Your own pen (they will provide one, but bring one just in case)
- ✗Copies of documents (bring the originals only)
At the Office
- →The written test is computer-based; bring your glasses if you need them to read the screen
- →If you fail the test, you can usually retake it the same day for a small fee, but check with the clerk first
- →Once you pass, you'll get an interim paper permit immediately; the plastic card arrives by mail in a few weeks
- →Listen carefully to the clerk; they will tell you exactly where to sit and how to start the test
- →Remember, you can't drive alone yet; you must have a licensed adult (25+) in the passenger seat
Official New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) info: www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/
Take the Free New Hampshire Practice Quiz →