As an ordinary private rider, you want to pass a car by squeezing past it without leaving the car’s lane. Does New Hampshire allow that motorcycle maneuver?
Correct answer: No. A motorcycle may not overtake and pass within the lane occupied by the vehicle being passed.
Section 265:121 II prohibits this same-lane pass. Its official-duty police exception does not apply to an ordinary private rider; signaling or apparent space does not create permission.
Source: New Hampshire General Court, RSA Chapter 265, Rules of the Road; §265:121 II and V, reader lines 1143 and 1146; history line 1148, latest amendment effective January 1, 1982. Actual codified HTML read October 1, 2026. Selected motorcycle operating clauses, not a DMV handbook or complete current-law review; reader lines are not PDF pages. ↗
Two adjacent rows of cars are stopped in traffic. May an ordinary private motorcyclist ride between the rows to reach the front?
Correct answer: No. The prohibition on riding between adjacent rows of vehicles also rules out this maneuver.
Section 265:121 III prohibits riding between traffic lanes or adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. It does not create a stopped-traffic exception. The stated official-duty police exception is outside this private-rider scenario.
Source: New Hampshire General Court, RSA Chapter 265, Rules of the Road; §265:121 III and V, reader lines 1144 and 1146; history line 1148, latest amendment effective January 1, 1982. Actual codified HTML read October 1, 2026. Selected motorcycle operating clauses, not a DMV handbook or complete current-law review; reader lines are not PDF pages. ↗
Under New Hampshire’s lane-use law, what is the maximum number of motorcycles allowed to ride abreast in one traffic lane?
Correct answer: Two; the law allows two abreast but not more than two.
Sections 265:121 I and IV permit two motorcycles abreast and prohibit more than two. That legal allowance is not a recommendation to ride side by side: a staggered or single-file formation may provide better space for the conditions.
Source: New Hampshire General Court, RSA Chapter 265, Rules of the Road; §265:121 I and IV, reader lines 1142 and 1145; history line 1148, latest amendment effective January 1, 1982. Actual codified HTML read October 1, 2026. Selected motorcycle operating clauses, not a DMV handbook or complete current-law review; reader lines are not PDF pages. ↗
A fully licensed rider, not a learner, has a motorcycle designed for two people. Which seating arrangement meets New Hampshire’s passenger-seat rule?
Correct answer: The passenger uses the designated two-person permanent seat or another suitable seat firmly attached at the rear or side.
Section 265:120 I requires a motorcycle designed to carry the additional person and proper seating. It also permits a firmly attached sidecar. This does not override the separate no-passenger restriction on a motorcycle learner permit.
Source: New Hampshire General Court, RSA Chapter 265, Rules of the Road; §265:120 I, reader lines 1133–1134; history line 1139, latest amendment effective July 1, 2005. Actual codified HTML read October 1, 2026. Selected motorcycle operating clauses, not a DMV handbook or complete current-law review; reader lines are not PDF pages. ↗
Your passenger is on the proper seat but leans into a position that blocks your view and interferes with steering. What does New Hampshire’s operating rule require?
Correct answer: Do not ride with the passenger in that interfering position; correct it before continuing.
Proper seating alone is not enough. Section 265:120 IV prohibits carrying or riding in a position that interferes with driving, control or the rider’s view.
Source: New Hampshire General Court, RSA Chapter 265, Rules of the Road; §265:120 IV, reader line 1137; history line 1139, latest amendment effective July 1, 2005. Actual codified HTML read October 1, 2026. Selected motorcycle operating clauses, not a DMV handbook or complete current-law review; reader lines are not PDF pages. ↗
A bundle you plan to carry on your motorcycle would require you to hold it with one hand throughout the ride. Is that arrangement allowed under New Hampshire’s carrying rule?
Correct answer: No. Do not carry an article in a way that prevents keeping both hands on the handlebars.
Section 265:120 III prohibits carrying an article that prevents the rider from keeping both hands on the handlebars. A short route or light load does not remove that restriction.
Source: New Hampshire General Court, RSA Chapter 265, Rules of the Road; §265:120 III, reader line 1136; history line 1139, latest amendment effective July 1, 2005. Actual codified HTML read October 1, 2026. Selected motorcycle operating clauses, not a DMV handbook or complete current-law review; reader lines are not PDF pages. ↗
Your motorcycle has no windshield or screen. While riding it in motion in New Hampshire, which choice satisfies the eye-and-face-protection clause?
Correct answer: Wearing eyeglasses, goggles or a protective face shield.
Section 265:123 requires one of the listed forms of protection when no qualifying windshield or screen is present. The duty applies while moving, not only at a particular speed or in bad weather; safer equipment choices remain a separate consideration.
Source: New Hampshire General Court, RSA Chapter 265, Rules of the Road; §265:123, reader lines 1156–1160; history 1989, 208:1, effective July 21, 1989. Actual codified HTML read October 1, 2026. Selected motorcycle operating clauses, not a DMV handbook or complete current-law review; reader lines are not PDF pages. ↗
A motorcycle has a low screen that does not protect the rider’s eyes and face when the rider sits erect. May the rider rely on that screen alone to meet New Hampshire’s eye-and-face-protection rule?
Correct answer: No. The rider must wear one of the listed forms of protection because the screen does not meet the stated condition.
The screen exception requires protection for both the eyes and face while the rider is sitting erect. A screen that fails that condition does not remove the duty to wear eyeglasses, goggles or a protective face shield while moving.
Source: New Hampshire General Court, RSA Chapter 265, Rules of the Road; §265:123, qualifying windshield or screen condition, reader line 1158; history line 1160, effective July 21, 1989. Actual codified HTML read October 1, 2026. Selected motorcycle operating clauses, not a DMV handbook or complete current-law review; reader lines are not PDF pages. ↗
