New Hampshire permit test: distracted & drowsy driving

Phone and texting laws, other distractions and fatigue. 6 questions.

Question 1 of 6
Distracted & drowsy drivingNew Hampshire rule

An adult driver is stopped at a red light. Under RSA 265:79-c, may they read a text on a hand-held phone?

Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.

Sample distracted & drowsy driving questions

  1. An adult driver is stopped at a red light. Under RSA 265:79-c, may they read a text on a hand-held phone?

    • A Yes, because the vehicle is not moving
    • B No, the ban also applies while halted in traffic
    • C Yes, as long as the phone is held below the window line
    • D Only if the light has just turned red
    Show answer

    B. No, the ban also applies while halted in traffic

    New Hampshire bans hand-held electronic device use while driving, including when you are temporarily halted at a traffic control device. Reading, writing, or posting messages all count. Pull off the road safely if you need to use your phone.

    Source: New Hampshire Driver's Manual, page 13

  2. A police officer sees a driver in a moving car holding a phone next to their ear. What does New Hampshire law presume?

    • A That the driver is engaging in a call
    • B Nothing, unless the officer hears them talking
    • C That the driver is using a legal hands-free device
    • D That the driver is reporting an emergency
    Show answer

    A. That the driver is engaging in a call

    Under RSA 265:79-c, holding a phone or other voice device in the immediate proximity of your ear while the vehicle is moving is presumed to be engaging in a call. That makes it a violation of the hand-held ban.

    Source: New Hampshire Driver's Manual, page 14

  3. A 17-year-old wants to take a call through the car's built-in Bluetooth system while driving. Is this legal in New Hampshire?

    • A Yes, because hands-free calls are legal for drivers of every age
    • B Yes, if the call lasts less than two minutes
    • C Only while stopped at a red light
    • D No, drivers under 18 may not use phones even hands-free
    Show answer

    D. No, drivers under 18 may not use phones even hands-free

    Drivers under 18 may not use any cell phone or mobile electronic device, hands-free or not, while driving or stopped in traffic. The only exception is reporting an emergency to 911 or another public safety agency.

    Source: New Hampshire Driver's Manual, page 14

  4. Which of these is illegal for a 30-year-old driving a moving car in New Hampshire?

    • A Typing a destination into a navigation device
    • B Taking a call through the car's built-in hands-free system
    • C Using one hand on a non-cellular two-way radio
    • D Tapping once to start a hands-free phone function
    Show answer

    A. Typing a destination into a navigation device

    RSA 265:79-c bans inputting information into a GPS or navigation device while driving, along with texting and hand-held calls. Set your route before you start moving.

    Source: New Hampshire Driver's Manual, page 13