Temporary License

When you apply for a driver license or non-driver identification you will be given a temporary paper license or temporary paper non-driver identification. The temporary license/identification card is valid for 60 days; the permanent card will be mailed to your New Hampshire mailing address within 60 days. The temporary license/identification card is made of flexible, tear-resistant security paper with a black and white digital image.

Use of Temporary License for Identification Purposes

Your temporary driver license is valid for driving purposes as a stand-alone document. If you intend to use your temporary license for any other identification purpose, you may have to provide a secondary form of identification. If you are unsure whether another business or organization will accept your temporary license or non-driver identification for identification purposes, you should contact them directly.

New Hampshire Mailing Address

You must have a current, valid New Hampshire mailing address in order to receive your permanent driver license or non-driver identification. You will not receive your permanent license/identification card if you have one of the following issues with your address:

Your address on file at the DMV is not your current address.
Your mail is forwarded to a different address. DMV mail will not be forwarded.
You are registered as "temporarily away" at the Post Office.

If your address on file at the DMV is incorrect, you must submit an address change.

Tracking Your License

As long as your address is correct, you should receive your permanent driver license or non-driver identification in the mail no later than 60 days after you apply. Most customers receive their permanent license or identification card within 45 days. If you applied for a license/identification card longer than 45 days ago and you have not received your permanent card, please contact the DMV at (603) 227-4020 or send an e-mail to LicensingOver45day@dos.nh.gov.