New Hampshire actively regulates self-driving cars through a pilot program established in 2019, allowing testing and deployment of automated vehicles (AVs) on public roads under Department of Safety oversight, but lacks specific regulations for drones beyond federal FAA guidelines.​
Self-Driving Car Regulations
The state’s Automated Vehicle Testing Pilot Program requires testers to pay an annual $500 fee, submit safety data, and prove vehicles meet operational design domains, including insurance proof. Driverless capable vehicles can operate without a human driver if they achieve minimal risk conditions during malfunctions and comply with traffic laws; on-demand AV networks for passengers or goods are permitted with similar safeguards. No local entities can add extra requirements, centralizing authority with the state.​
Drone Regulations
New Hampshire defers drone operations primarily to federal FAA rules, with no comprehensive state-level framework for commercial or recreational use as of 2025. State laws prohibit drone surveillance over critical infrastructure without permits and restrict flights near prisons or emergencies, but registration and remote ID follow national standards. Local ordinances may impose additional restrictions in municipalities.​
Gaps and Developments
While AV testing permits driverless operations, full commercial deployment awaits further safety validations, with accident reporting imputed to owners or manufacturers. Drone policy emphasizes privacy protections but trails AV-specific statutes, leaving innovation to federal preemption. No major 2025 updates expand these frameworks.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.citizenscount.org/issues/self-driving-cars)
[2](https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2023/title-xx/chapter-242/section-242-1/)
[3](https://www.tennandtenn.com/are-self-driving-cars-legal-in-nh/)
[4](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198224000198)
[5](https://www.ncsl.org/transportation/autonomous-vehicles)
