Learning to drive NH

[Garandman]

NH doesn't issue learner's permits but you can start "practice driving" with an adult at age 15 1/2, apparently.

In MA you have to be 16. Some friends with a 15 1/2 yo son have been driving around in NH since they have a house there. Is that legal? He isn't legal in MA and since that would be the issuing authority, My guess is probably not.

My daughter is very interested in the answer since she informed me she turns 15 1/2 on June 2nd at 1:20am.....

[Falko]

Probably has a lot to do with where the car is registered and the accompanying adults are licensed. I am guessing that is MA, so I would assume it really isn't kosher. But NH is pretty open to interpretation, so they can probably get away with it.

[RandyO]

nothing saying you have to have a NH License or registration, just a license for the class of vehicle you are driving

Section 263:25 Exception for Persons Learning to Drive.

263:25 Exception for Persons Learning to Drive. –
I. Except as provided in paragraph II, a person who does not possess a driver's license may drive a motor vehicle while being taught to drive, when accompanied by a person holding a driver's license of the appropriate class and type for the vehicle being driven, who is occupying the seat beside, or, in the case of a bus, immediately adjacent to, the person who is being taught to drive. This exception shall not apply to persons whose driving privileges or driver's licenses have been suspended or revoked for cause, persons less than 15- 1/2 years of age, and persons learning to drive commercial motor vehicles unless they meet the requirements of paragraph II. For all unlicensed drivers the person accompanying them shall be a certified driving instructor, parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult who is 25 years of age or older and who is a licensed driver. The person accompanying the unlicensed driver shall be liable for the violation of any provision of this title or rules adopted hereunder committed by such unlicensed driver. A person who is learning to drive pursuant to the provisions of this section shall have in his possession proof of the fact he meets the age requirement.
II. In the case of a person learning to drive a commercial motor vehicle, the person may not drive as provided in paragraph I unless he or she is at least 18 years of age and unless he or she: (a) has a valid noncommercial driver's license; and (b) has been issued a learner permit pursuant to RSA 263:88.

[jasnmar]

Sometimes it's just that simple. In NH a 15 1/2 year old can drive as long as they are being "instructed" by someone over 25 who is allowed to operate that vehicle (excluding CDL stuff).

No requirement to be in "driver's ed" or get a "permit". No requirement on the state that issued the license or the registration of the vehicle.

Small town LEO may take a bit to figure this out, but it's perfectly legal.

[stoinkythepig]

The question you need to ask is "Am I covered?" And you need to ask your insurance company that... MA insurance may not cover a 15.5 year old driver anywhere.

[ZX-12R]

Ditto the thoughts on insurance.

[RandyO]

The question you need to ask is "Am I covered?" And you need to ask your insurance company that... MA insurance may not cover a 15.5 year old driver anywhere.

generally insurance covers the vehicle regardless of who is driving unless there are exclusions (at least my policies read that way) on the other hand, my insurance does not cover me for driving someone else's vehicle unless they have no insurance and then it only covers liability and not collision

[bryco13]

This seems like the helmet issue. A lot of guys I rode with would take their helmets off once we crossed the rhode island border. We were informed after years of doing this that since we have ma plates and licenses, we still fall under ma rules, meaning they had to keep their helmets on. May have just been a leo giving us a hard time, but not getting cited was enough to throw them back on. And yeah, that whole issue the op mentioned seems a bit fishy to me.

[jasnmar]

LEO was giving you shit.

He has no authority to issue you a ticket based on a law outside of his jurisdiction.

[Garandman]

Small town LEO may take a bit to figure this out, but it's perfectly legal.

Goshen only has one LEO. I've seen him twice.

[RandyO]

Goshen only has one LEO. I've seen him twice.

just in passing, or on a more personal level