New Hampshire HB 1111: relative to driving test accommodations and retest suspension periods.

Bill Text

HB 1111-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2559

 06/08

HOUSE BILL 1111-FN

AN ACT relative to driving test accommodations and retest suspension periods.

SPONSORS: Rep. S. Smith, Sull. 3; Rep. Spillane, Rock. 2; Rep. T. Walsh, Merr. 10

COMMITTEE: Transportation

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ANALYSIS

 This bill requires the department of motor vehicles to provide reasonable accommodations for driving test applicants with an IEP or other qualifying documentation, including extended time and alternative formats. It also reduces the retest suspension period from one year to 3 months for applicants failing the driving portion 3 or more times, and establishes pathways for early retesting after completion of a certified instruction program.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2559

 06/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to driving test accommodations and retest suspension periods.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Statement of Purpose. The purpose of this act is to improve accessibility and fairness in the motor vehicle operator licensing process by expanding accommodations for applicants with mental or learning disabilities and reducing the administrative waiting period after repeated failed driving tests.

 2 New Paragraph; Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities. Amend RSA 263:6 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:

 I-a. The director shall provide reasonable accommodations to an applicant for a driver’s license who has an active individualized education program (IEP) from a recognized educational institution, or presents other documentation supporting the need for extended time or other testing accommodations due to a diagnosed mental or learning disability. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to, extended time for written or road tests, or both, alternative test formats such as oral administration or simplified language, or the presence of support personnel, including parents or guardians, as appropriate to the applicant’s documented needs. The director shall establish a clear process for applicants to request accommodations and to verify eligibility, including provision for documentation review and notification of decision.

 3 New Section; Retest Suspension Reform. Amend RSA 263 by inserting after section 7-a the following new section:

 263:7-b Retest Suspension Reform.

 I. Any applicant who fails the driving portion of the license examination 3 or more times shall be subject to an administrative suspension of the privilege to retake the driving portion as follows:

 (a) The suspension period shall be 3 months;

 (b) The applicant may retake the driving test earlier upon successful completion of a certified driver improvement or remedial instruction program approved by the department; and

 (c) The department shall notify suspended applicants of these retesting options.

 II. No applicant with a documented mental or learning disability who is 21 years of age or older shall be required to complete a driver improvement or remedial instruction program as a condition of retaking the driving test, provided the applicant qualifies for reasonable accommodations under RSA 263:6, I-a.

 4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 LBA

 26-2559

 10/23/25

HB 1111-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to driving test accommodations and retest suspension periods.

FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Revenue Fund(s)

None

 Expenditures*

$0

$107,000

$93,000

$95,000

 Funding Source(s)

Restricted - Highway Fund Cost of Collections - Per the state constitution, costs associated with the collection/administration of highway fund revenue by the Department of Safety is deducted prior to funds being credited as unrestricted highway fund revenue

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires the Department of Safety Division of Motor Vehicles to provide reasonable testing accommodations for driving test applicants with qualifying documentation and to implement a documented request/verification workflow, train staff statewide, and make minor system updates to record accommodations and enforce the new rules. This bill also reduces the retest