New Hampshire motorcycle permit test numbers to know

Distances, speeds, limits, fines and deadlines are the questions people miss most, because they have to be memorized. Here are 26 New Hampshire numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.

Numbers quiz

12 questions a round from the 16 number questions in our New Hampshire bank. Questions you miss come back more often in later rounds.

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Numbers flashcards

16 cards: the question on the front, the number and its source on the back. Swipe right if you knew it.

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See 3 of the cards
  • Alcohol & drugs

    On a long motorcycle trip, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle to fight fatigue?

    At least every two hours

    Riding a motorcycle is more tiring than driving a car. Take frequent rest breaks, stopping and getting off the motorcycle at least every two hours, and limit your distance; experienced riders seldom ride more than about six hours a day.

    New Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 47

  • Fines, points & penalties

    What is the state fee to renew a New Hampshire motorcycle learner's permit?

    $25

    State law sets a $25 fee for each motorcycle learner's permit renewal.

    New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles website

  • Speed limits

    In the quick stop and obstacle swerve exercises on the New Hampshire skill test, what speed should you stabilize at by the first line?

    Between 12 and 18 mph

    For both the quick stop and the obstacle swerve, you accelerate straight up the path and stabilize your speed between 12 and 18 mph by the first line, then hold it steady.

    New Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 51

Every New Hampshire motorcycle number, by topic

Official New Hampshire laws come first in each group, then the numbers from our handbook questions. Tap a source to read the exact words it comes from.

Alcohol & drugs

6 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
0.08%Legal BAC limit for adult driversgc.nh.gov
Quote
While such person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more or in the case of a person under the age of 21, 0.02 or more.
0.02%BAC limit for drivers under 21gc.nh.gov
Quote
While such person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more or in the case of a person under the age of 21, 0.02 or more.
0.04%BAC limit in a commercial vehiclegc.nh.gov
Quote
who drives a commercial vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater shall in addition to the penalties provided in this chapter be subject to the additional penalties and sanctions provided in RSA 263:94.
$500Drunk driving (DUI)Fine of at least $500gc.nh.gov
Quote
Any person who is convicted of any offense under RSA 265-A:2, I shall be: (1) Guilty of a class B misdemeanor; (2) Fined not less than $500;
9 months, 2 years, 6 monthsDrunk driving (DUI)License revoked at least 9 months (up to 2 years, and the court may suspend up to 6 months of it)gc.nh.gov
Quote
The person's driver's license or privilege to drive shall be revoked for not less than 9 months and, at the discretion of the court, such revocation may be extended for a period not to exceed 2 years. The court may suspend up to 6 months of this sentence
two hoursOn a long motorcycle trip, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle to fight fatigue?Answer: At least every two hoursNew Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 47
Quote
Stop and get off the motorcycle at least every two hours.

Fines, points & penalties

2 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$25What is the state fee to renew a New Hampshire motorcycle learner's permit?Answer: $25New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles website
Quote
for each motorcycle learner's permit renewal-$25
10 pointsOn the New Hampshire DMV two-wheel motorcycle skill test, what is the most points you can have and still pass?Answer: 10 pointsNew Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 50
Quote
A maximum of 10 points are allowed for a successful score.

Speed limits

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
12 and 18 mphIn the quick stop and obstacle swerve exercises on the New Hampshire skill test, what speed should you stabilize at by the first line?Answer: Between 12 and 18 mphNew Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 51
Quote
Stabilize your speed between 12 - 18 mph by the time you reach the first line.

Distances & following gaps

3 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
Two secondsIn normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead?Answer: Two secondsNew Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 17
Quote
Normally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained behind the vehicle ahead.
Three secondsThe pavement is slippery and you cannot see through the vehicle ahead. What following distance should you use?Answer: Three seconds or moreNew Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 17
Quote
if you cannot see through the vehicle ahead, or if traffic is heavy and someone may squeeze in front of you, open up a three-second or more following distance.
one secondIn a staggered group formation, where does the second rider ride?Answer: In the right side of the lane, at least one second behind the leaderNew Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 40
Quote
the second rider stays at least one second back and rides in the right side of the lane.

Ages, permits & the test

9 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
80%Passing scoredmv.nh.gov
Quote
All knowledge exams require a passing grade of 80%. ... Tests are multiple choice and are specific to the license type.
$30Feedmv.nh.gov
Quote
Payment of $30.00, $25 for permit renewal
45 daysMotorcycle permit45 days from issue, with a one-time renewal for another 45 daysgc.nh.gov
Quote
The permit shall be valid for 45 days from the date of issuance, expiration of the renewal period, or until the holder of the permit obtains a special license to drive motorcycles, whichever is sooner.
under 18Motorcycle permitRiders under 18 must complete the state motorcycle rider education program to get the endorsementgc.nh.gov
Quote
the department shall issue a motorcycle learner's permit to a person 18 years of age or older or a person who is 16 years of age or older and under 18 years of age who has successfully completed an approved driver education course and has a valid New Hampshire driver's license.
45 daysHow long is a New Hampshire motorcycle learner's permit valid?Answer: 45 days from the date it is issued or renewedNew Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles website
Quote
The permit shall be valid for 45 days from the date of issuance or renewal
45-dayUnder New Hampshire's licensing rules, how many motorcycle learner's permits can an applicant normally receive?Answer: One permit plus one 45-day renewalNew Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles website
Quote
Only one motorcycle learner's permit and one 45-day renewal shall be issued to an applicant
80%What score do you need to pass the New Hampshire motorcycle knowledge test?Answer: 80%New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles website
Quote
All knowledge exams require a passing grade of 80%.
12 monthsWho is the one-day Intermediate Rider Course in New Hampshire designed for?Answer: Riders who did not pass the BRC skills test within the past 12 monthsNew Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 3
Quote
This one day course is designed for riders who were unsuccessful in passing the skills test of the BRC within the past 12 months
at least 45You need to cross a pavement seam that runs parallel to your path. How should you cross it?Answer: Move away from it, then cross at an angle of at least 45 degreesNew Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 34
Quote
move far enough away from tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45˚.

Seat belts, lights & equipment

4 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
under 18HelmetsAnyone under 18 driving or riding on a motorcycle or autocycle must wear protective headgear of a type approved by the director, with a neck or chin strapgc.nh.gov
Quote
No person less than 18 years of age may drive or ride upon a motorcycle or autocycle unless he or she wears protective headgear of a type approved by the director. Such headgear shall be equipped with either a neck or chin strap.
5 milesAccording to the manual, when do most motorcycle crashes happen?Answer: On short trips of less than 5 miles, soon after starting outNew Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 6
Quote
trips (less than five miles long), just a few minutes after starting out.
Three timesCompared with riders without helmets, how much more likely are helmeted riders to survive head injuries?Answer: Three times more likelyNew Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 6
Quote
helmeted riders are three times more likely to survive head injuries than those not wearing helmets
under 18Under New Hampshire law, which motorcycle riders and passengers must wear a DOT-approved helmet?Answer: Riders and passengers under 18New Hampshire Driver's Manual, page 18
Quote
New Hampshire law requires all riders and passengers under the age of 18 to wear helmets approved by the United States Department of Transportation.

Other numbers

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
70%About how much of your total stopping power can the front brake provide?Answer: At least 70%New Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 14
Quote
The front brake is more powerful and can provide at least 70% of your total stopping power.

Memory tips

How to study them (our advice, not official rules):

  • Learn the number with its unit and its place. “15 feet from a hydrant” sticks; “15” on its own gets mixed up with 15 mph.
  • Say the answer before you look. Recalling the number yourself is harder than spotting it among four options, and it is what makes it stick.
  • Come back to the ones you miss. The quiz above brings missed questions back more often. Short rounds over several days beat one long session.

Questions about the numbers

What numbers do I need to know for the New Hampshire motorcycle permit test?

Mostly distances (how close you may park to a hydrant or crosswalk, when to signal, when to dim your high beams), speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, and the ages, hours and deadlines for your permit and license. This page lists 26 of them for New Hampshire, each with its source.

Why focus on numbers?

A California DMV study of its own knowledge test found that many of the hardest questions “are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.” Numbers are easy to mix up under pressure, so they are worth drilling on their own.

Where do these numbers come from?

Each one is quoted from the New Hampshire Motorcycle Operator Manual, New Hampshire statutes or DMV pages. Our build checks that every number on this page appears word for word in the quote it cites.

Is the numbers drill free?

Yes. The table and the numbers quiz are free and unlimited, and so are the first 20 flashcards.

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