You plan to wait several minutes 10 feet from a fire hydrant. You will stay in the car and are not momentarily picking up or dropping off a passenger. With no official direction or traffic necessity, is this allowed?
Correct answer: No. Standing or parking within 15 feet of the hydrant is prohibited in this situation.
The statute prohibits standing or parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, whether or not the vehicle is occupied. The momentary passenger exception and general traffic/official-direction exceptions are excluded by this scenario.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 265:69, Stopping, Standing or Parking Prohibited in Specified Places, opening exceptions, II opening and II(b); official operative HTML body read October 1, 2026. ↗
You want to leave your car while shopping, 15 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection. No officer, traffic necessity or other special circumstance directs the stop. Does that meet the state clearance rule?
Correct answer: No. Standing or parking is prohibited within 20 feet of an intersection crosswalk.
Standing or parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection is prohibited, subject to the statute's stated exceptions. Leaving a car to shop is not momentary passenger loading. Local restrictions can also apply.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 265:69, Stopping, Standing or Parking Prohibited in Specified Places, opening exceptions, II opening and II(c); §265:70 local restrictions retained; official operative HTML body read October 1, 2026. ↗
With no exception or official direction applying, you plan to park 25 feet before a stop sign located at the side of the roadway. Is this far enough under the state approach-clearance rule?
Correct answer: No. Standing or parking is prohibited within 30 feet on the approach to the sign.
The restriction is within 30 feet on the approach to a roadside flashing signal, stop sign or traffic-control signal. Sign visibility alone does not cancel that clearance. This scenario is parking, not the momentary passenger exception.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 265:69, Stopping, Standing or Parking Prohibited in Specified Places, opening exceptions, II opening and II(d); official operative HTML body read October 1, 2026. ↗
Your car carries a valid accessible-parking placard for a family member, but you are shopping alone and are not transporting that person to or from the space. May you use a designated accessible space?
Correct answer: No. The qualifying person must be transported to or from the parking place.
Having a valid placard is not enough when the qualifying person is absent. The statute ties use of the designated space to transporting that person to or from the parking place.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 265:74, Parking Privileges for Persons With Walking Disability, I; paired with §265:69 I(j); official operative HTML body read October 1, 2026. ↗
You are lawfully using an accessible space, but part of your car overlaps the marked access aisle beside it. Does the placard allow that overlap?
Correct answer: No. You must keep the car out of the access aisle.
The separate access-aisle prohibition covers stopping, standing or parking in or overlapping an access aisle. A lawful accessible-space privilege does not authorize occupying the aisle.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 265:69, Stopping, Standing or Parking Prohibited in Specified Places, I(m), with I(j) accessible-space distinction; official operative HTML body read October 1, 2026. ↗
On an otherwise unrestricted one-way roadway, no local ordinance changes the normal rule. Which parallel-parking position follows the state rule?
Correct answer: Face the authorized traffic direction, with the wheels on the chosen curb side within 12 inches of that curb.
Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a vehicle on a one-way roadway must be parallel to the curb or edge in the direction of authorized traffic. Its right wheels must be within 12 inches of the right curb/edge, or its left wheels within 12 inches of the left curb/edge.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 265:71, Additional Parking Regulations, II; local-ordinance qualification; official operative HTML body read October 1, 2026. ↗
You are leaving a conventional keyed car unattended on a level public street. It was not started by remote control. Which set of precautions meets the unattended-vehicle rule?
Correct answer: Stop the engine, lock the ignition, remove the key and effectively set the brake.
The ordinary unattended-car rule requires stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and effectively setting the brake. This public-street, non-remote-start scenario does not invoke the remote-start or own-property idling exceptions.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 265:72, Unattended Vehicle, I; level public street, no remote-control starter or own-property exception; official operative HTML body read October 1, 2026. ↗
While driving at 30 mph in otherwise safe conditions, which clearance meets the statute's stated distance presumption when passing a bicyclist?
Correct answer: At least 3 feet, while still exercising due care for the bicyclist.
The distance is presumed reasonable and prudent if it is at least 3 feet at 30 mph or less. The driver still must ensure the bicyclist's safety and exercise due care; the number is not permission to make an otherwise unsafe pass.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 265:143-a, Drivers to Exercise Due Care When Approaching Bicycle, both operative paragraphs; 30 mph or less presumption; official operative HTML body read October 1, 2026. ↗
A pass can otherwise be made lawfully and safely at exactly 50 mph. What clearance meets the bicycle statute's stated speed-based distance presumption?
Correct answer: At least 5 feet, while continuing to exercise due care.
The statute starts with 3 feet at 30 mph or less and adds 1 foot for every 10 mph above 30. Exactly 50 mph is two such increments, giving 5 feet. This is not a ruling on rounding between increments or permission to exceed a limit or pass unsafely.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 265:143-a, Drivers to Exercise Due Care When Approaching Bicycle, both operative paragraphs; exact 50 mph application; official operative HTML body read October 1, 2026. ↗
A slower bicyclist ahead moves away from the right edge to avoid broken pavement and the opening doors of parked cars. Must the bicyclist remain at the edge despite those hazards?
Correct answer: No. Avoiding these hazards is a stated exception to staying as far right as practicable.
The right-position rule for a slower bicyclist contains an unsafe-position exception and expressly allows moving to avoid hazards such as broken pavement and opening car doors. Bicyclists have road-user rights subject to the applicable special rules; drivers must still allow reasonable, prudent clearance.
Source: New Hampshire RSA 265:144, Riding on Bicycles, XI opening and XI(d); paired with §265:143 I and §265:143-a; official operative HTML body read October 1, 2026. ↗
Before a long trip in freezing weather, which preparation best addresses several preventable vehicle problems?
Correct answer: Inspect the battery and tire tread, check antifreeze, and use suitable no-freeze washer fluid.
Winter preparation includes the battery, tires, antifreeze and washer system. A tank of fuel alone does not establish that the vehicle is ready.
Source: Lebanon Police, Tips for Safe Winter Driving, Prepare section: vehicle-maintenance bullet. Undated official municipal HTML crediting NHTSA; actual body read October 1, 2026. General safety guidance, not an additional statute. ↗
Frost covers your side and rear windows. You have cleared only a small area directly in front of the steering wheel. What is the appropriate next step?
Correct answer: Clear the windows before setting off so your view is not limited to that small opening.
The preparation guidance calls for clear windows. Starting with only a small forward opening leaves important parts of the driving scene obscured.
Source: Lebanon Police, Tips for Safe Winter Driving, Prepare section: vehicle-maintenance bullet, keep windows clear. Undated official municipal HTML crediting NHTSA; actual body read October 1, 2026. General safety guidance, not an additional statute. ↗
Which collection is most useful if a long winter trip leaves you stranded for a while?
Correct answer: A flashlight, snow-removal tools, blankets, warning equipment, and appropriate food, water, medication and phone.
Pack for both a vehicle problem and a wait for assistance. The recommended kit includes visibility and snow-removal equipment, with additional personal supplies for a long trip.
Source: Lebanon Police, Tips for Safe Winter Driving, Prepare section: emergency-kit bullet and long-trip additions. Undated official municipal HTML crediting NHTSA; actual body read October 1, 2026. General safety guidance, not an additional statute. ↗
A forecast warns of winter weather along your route. What is the best preparation before leaving?
Correct answer: Check the weather and directions, allow extra time, and tell someone your route and expected arrival.
Plan the route and timing before the trip. Sharing the intended route and arrival time helps someone recognize an unexpected delay.
Source: Lebanon Police, Tips for Safe Winter Driving, Prepare section: route-planning bullet. Undated official municipal HTML crediting NHTSA; actual body read October 1, 2026. General safety guidance, not an additional statute. ↗
Your car becomes stalled during a winter trip. There is no immediate danger that requires leaving it. Which choice follows the safety guidance?
Correct answer: Stay with the car rather than setting out unnecessarily into the conditions.
The winter guidance recommends staying with a stalled vehicle and avoiding overexertion. The scenario does not involve a separate immediate hazard requiring evacuation.
Source: Lebanon Police, Tips for Safe Winter Driving, Prepare section: stopped-or-stalled bullet, stay with your car. Undated official municipal HTML crediting NHTSA; actual body read October 1, 2026. General safety guidance, not an additional statute. ↗
Snow has packed around the exhaust outlet of your stranded car. You want to run the engine briefly for warmth. What must you address first?
Correct answer: Clear the exhaust outlet before running the engine; do not run it against the snow blockage.
The guidance specifically calls for a clear exhaust pipe when using a stalled car for warmth. It also limits running the engine to what is needed for warmth rather than continuous idling.
Source: Lebanon Police, Tips for Safe Winter Driving, Prepare section: stopped-or-stalled bullet, clear exhaust pipe. Undated official municipal HTML crediting NHTSA; actual body read October 1, 2026. General safety guidance, not an additional statute. ↗
While waiting with your stalled car during a winter trip, which action can help other people locate the vehicle?
Correct answer: Use a bright marker on an antenna or window and the interior dome light as appropriate.
The stalled-vehicle advice includes bright markers and the dome light. Making the car noticeable does not require standing in moving traffic.
Source: Lebanon Police, Tips for Safe Winter Driving, Prepare section: stopped-or-stalled bullet, bright markers and dome light. Undated official municipal HTML crediting NHTSA; actual body read October 1, 2026. General safety guidance, not an additional statute. ↗
Repeated attempts to shovel out your stalled vehicle are leaving you exhausted. What should guide your next decision?
Correct answer: Avoid overexertion; remain with the vehicle when safe and conserve your effort while arranging help.
The guidance warns against overexertion after a winter stall. Exhausting yourself is not a substitute for a safe plan and assistance.
Source: Lebanon Police, Tips for Safe Winter Driving, Prepare section: stopped-or-stalled bullet, do not overexert. Undated official municipal HTML crediting NHTSA; actual body read October 1, 2026. General safety guidance, not an additional statute. ↗
