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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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.
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.
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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 suspension period for applicants failing the driving portion three or more times and establishes pathways for early retesting after completion of a certified instruction program.
The Department states it would need one new training specialist position (SOC13 – 05, step 1) to administer and support the changes in this bill at an estimated total cost of $87,000 in FY 2027, $91,000 in FY 2028, and $93,000 in FY 2029. It should be noted this bill provides neither authorization nor appropriation for new personnel. In addition, the Department expects to incur information technology costs of $20,000 in FY 2027 and $2,000 in each FY 2028 and FY 2029.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Safety
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 13, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 27, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Jan. 27, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 5, 2026: Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/05/2026 HJ 3
Jan. 29, 2026: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/27/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 5 P. 18
Jan. 21, 2026: ==ROOM CHANGE== Executive Session: 01/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/13/2026 02:00 pm GP 234
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Transportation