Failed the New Hampshire permit test: when you can retake it
Failing the written test is common and fixable. Here is what New Hampshire says about retaking it, and a plan for the next attempt.
- How soon you can retake
- not sooner than ten days
- Attempts
- Not stated on the official page — ask your DMV office.
- Retest fee
- Not stated on the official page — ask your DMV office.
- After repeated failures
- Not stated on the official page — ask your DMV office.
From the official source
If either the knowledge test or road test is not successfully completed, the applicant will be provided with an appointment to retest not sooner than ten days from the failed test.
Before your next attempt
- Write down the topics you got wrong: signs, right-of-way, speed limits, alcohol rules, distances. The retest usually draws from the same pool.
- Reread only those chapters of the official New Hampshire handbook, not the whole book.
- Take our New Hampshire practice tests until you score 90% or more three times in a row — the real pass mark is lower, so that is a safe margin.
- Use the mistake review: it shows only the questions you missed, with the handbook section for each.
- The night before, do one exam simulation and stop. Sleep beats cramming.
The real test: 40 questions, 32 correct to pass.
Practice for the retakeReview my mistakes
Checked on October 25, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the DMV.