State rules
Driver training rules in New Hampshire
What New Hampshire requires of driving schools, CDL training and school bus drivers, with every fact linked to its official source.
✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18
Driver training rules in New Hampshire for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.
| Driver education (teens) | Required under 18: at least 30 hours classroom (max 15 online), 10 hours behind-the-wheel, 6 hours observation.source 1 |
|---|---|
| Supervised practice (teens) | Under 18: 40 hours additional supervised driving (10 at night). Practice exception does not apply under age 15 1/2.source 1 · source 2 |
| New adult drivers | None stated. Driver ed certificate is required only for applicants under 18 (RSA 263:14).source 3 |
| Who licenses driving schools | Department of Safety licenses drivers' schools (RSA 263:44, Saf-C 3100) and sets driver ed quality standards.source 4 · source 1 |
| CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT | No state CDL curriculum or hours found; CDL instruction meeting FMCSA rules is excluded from the state drivers' school law (RSA 259:26, 2022).source 5 |
| CDL schools: state license | No. Since Mar 18, 2022, CDL training that meets FMCSA rules is excluded from both the drivers' school license (RSA 259:26) and career school license (RSA 188-G:1).source 5 · source 6 · source 7 |
| CDL schools: state hours or curriculum | No state hours; CDL instruction meeting FMCSA rules is outside state school laws. Federal ELDT only.source 5 |
| CDL schools: instructor rules | No state instructor license for CDL instruction meeting FMCSA rules (excluded from drivers' school law); federal 380.713 qualifications apply.source 5 |
| Carriers training their own drivers: license | No. Same CDL exclusion covers anyone, paid or not; career school law also excludes free employer-only schools (RSA 188-G:1, II(c)).source 5 · source 7 |
| Carriers: hours or curriculum | No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only.source 5 |
| Carriers: instructor rules | No state instructor license for anyone giving FMCSA-compliant CDL instruction; federal 380.713 qualifications apply.source 5 |
| New school bus drivers | Pre-service program of at least 10 hours instruction, set by employer; road skills and range training are extra (Saf-C 1305.02).source 8 |
| School bus refresher | At least 8 hours of in-service instruction or review every year (Saf-C 1305.03).source 8 |
Driving manuals and handbooks
Official publications from New Hampshire, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.
Teen and parent guides
Certification of Additional Supervised Driving (Driver's Out-Of-Class Log Sheet, DSMV 509)
New HampshireCommercial Driver's License ManualCommercial (CDL)
Commercial Driver's License Manual
Open on the state siteCopyright American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), so it opens on the state's site.
New HampshireCommercial Driver's License Manual Supplement for Modernized VersionCommercial (CDL)
Commercial Driver's License Manual Supplement for Modernized Version
Open on the state siteCopyright American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), so it opens on the state's site.
New HampshireHazmat Study Guide (Section 9 - Hazardous Materials, DSMV 611)Commercial (CDL)
Hazmat Study Guide (Section 9 - Hazardous Materials, DSMV 611)
Open on the state siteOpens on the state's site.
New HampshireMotorcycle Operator Manual, State of New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor VehiclesMotorcycle and moped
Motorcycle Operator Manual, State of New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles
Open on the state siteCopyright Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), so it opens on the state's site.
Driving jobs in New Hampshire
6,960heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers employed (May 2025)
$60,280median yearly pay (May 2025)
770projected openings each year, 2024 to 2034
5.2%projected job growth, 2024 to 2034
U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsOccupational Employment and Wage Statistics, New Hampshire, May 2025Projections CentralLong-Term Occupational Projections (2024-2034)
Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.
Federal rules in every state
CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.
Sources
- https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-19.htm
- https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-25.htm
- https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-14.htm
- https://gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/saf-c3100.html
- https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/259/259-26.htm
- https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/263/263-44.htm
- https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XV/188-G/188-G-1.htm
- https://gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/saf-c1300.html