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How to get a driver's license in New Hampshire as an immigrant

Everything a new arrival in New Hampshire needs to know, from driving on a foreign license to the documents the DMV accepts from non-citizens. Facts are quoted from official sources.

Quick answers

Drive on a foreign license?
Not stated in official sources
Deadline after moving
60 days after establishing residency
License exchange without tests
2 countries
License without immigration status
No
No SSN?
Bring your Social Security card if work authorized, or an SSA denial letter if not eligible to work.

Driving on a foreign license

Deadline after moving: 60 days after establishing residency.

Exchanging a foreign license

  • Canada
  • France

Canadian and French licenses transfer without testing if valid or expired less than one year.

If your country is not on the list

Holders of any other home-country license must pass a full examination (vision, knowledge and road tests) and provide a driving record from the home country, with a notarized English translation if needed; an International Driving Permit does not satisfy this.

Driver licenses from another state in the US, Canada or France are transferrable without testing as long as the license is valid, or expired less than one year. dmv.nh.gov

Documents for non-citizens

Examples of accepted immigration documents:

  • Valid permanent resident card or Work Authorization card
  • Valid passport, visa and I-551 stamp (60+ days before expiration)
  • Valid I-94 with at least two months remaining
  • I-20 for F-1 holders or DS-2019 for J-1 holders

License validity: By statute, a license for an alien temporarily residing in NH lasts at most 5 years and may be shorter based on the length of stay.

Non-US Citizens who are visiting on a tourist Visa (B1 or B2) or who are here on a fiancée visa (K1 or K2) are not eligible for a New Hampshire Driver License or a Non Driver Identification Card. dmv.nh.gov

Social Security number

Bring your Social Security card if work authorized, or an SSA denial letter if not eligible to work.

Social Security identification card if you are work authorized or a denial letter if you are not eligible to work. dmv.nh.gov

Proof of residency

Proof of New Hampshire residency per the DMV required documents list (number not confirmed).

Proof of residency. Please see our list of required documents dmv.nh.gov

Step by step

  1. Check your status: B1/B2 tourist and K1/K2 fiance visa holders are not eligible.
  2. Gather immigration documents, Social Security card or SSA denial letter, and proof of NH residency.
  3. Get your home-country driving record (notarized English translation if needed).
  4. Book an appointment (Work Authorization Card holders apply at the Concord DMV).
  5. Pass the vision test and the knowledge test.
  6. Pass the road test, scheduled after the knowledge test.
  7. Canadian or French license holders can transfer without testing.

Prepare for the knowledge test Exam languages in New Hampshire

Checked against official sources on October 27, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the DMV before your visit. This is not legal advice.