New Hampshire Combination Vehicles Test
You're not just learning coupling procedures — you're learning how to keep a loaded log truck from jackknifing on the black ice near Franconia Notch.
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Get ready for the NH Combination Vehicles test right now. 20 questions, 25 minutes, 80% to pass — no fluff.
Key Topics
- •Coupling & Uncoupling
- •Jackknife Prevention
- •Winter Driving & Brake Safety
About the New Hampshire Combination Vehicles Test
Topics Covered
- ✓Coupling and uncoupling procedures — NH examiners want the exact sequence, especially when parking on uneven gravel lots at logging sites.
- ✓Trailer stability and rollover prevention — On I-93 through Franconia Notch, a sudden gust of wind or a patch of ice can tip an empty trailer if you're not careful.
- ✓Jackknife causes and prevention — Black ice on Route 16 near Pinkham Notch is a real threat; knowing how to avoid a jackknife can save your life.
- + 3 more topics
📘 Study Tips & State Info
New Hampshire DMV examiners focus on the exact order of coupling and uncoupling. They want to see that you can do it blindfolded — especially when the trailer is parked on a slight slope, like at a loading dock in Berlin. Memorize the steps: check the fifth wheel, back under, lock the jaws, connect the air lines and electrical, test the connection, then raise the landing gear. Don't skip any step.
Winter driving is a big part of the test. NH examiners will ask about what to do if your air lines freeze, how to drain air tanks to prevent moisture buildup, and when to use chains. On a test, you'll likely see a question about the proper speed for a combination vehicle on a downgrade covered in snow. The answer is almost always to go slow enough that you don't need to use your brakes hard — engine braking is your friend.
Use our practice test to drill these concepts. Focus on the questions that feel most NH-specific, like those about off-tracking on tight mountain roads. If you can answer those, the rest comes easy.
New Hampshire's CDL written tests are administered at most DMV offices, including Concord (the main office), Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Berlin. You'll need to schedule an appointment online or by phone — walk-ins are often turned away due to limited capacity. Bring your valid driver's license, Social Security card, and a current Medical Examiner's Certificate.
The Combination Vehicles test is part of your written permit exam. You'll take it on a computer at the DMV. The fee for the written test is $10, and you'll need to pay again if you fail and retake it. After passing, you'll get a commercial learner's permit valid for 180 days. You can take the skills test at any of NH's approved third-party testing sites or at the DMV's own test track in Concord.
One thing to note: NH does not have a separate "Combination Vehicles" knowledge test for Class B drivers — this is only for Class A. If you're upgrading from Class B to A, you'll need to pass this test even if you already have a CDL. Also, if you have a hazmat endorsement, you'll need a separate background check and knowledge test.
About the New Hampshire Combination Vehicles Test
New Hampshire's combination vehicles aren't just coasting down interstates. You'll haul logs out of the White Mountains, deliver fuel to towns off Route 16, or pull tankers through the narrow cuts on I-93 through Franconia Notch. The Combination Vehicles test covers what you need to know to handle these rigs safely on our roads.
The test follows federal standards — 20 multiple-choice questions, 80% to pass. But New Hampshire examiners pay special attention to winter conditions. They'll ask about trailer stability on icy grades and how to prevent a jackknife when you hit a patch of black ice on a downhill curve.
You'll need this endorsement for any Class A CDL in New Hampshire. The test is part of your written permit exam, taken at any of the state's DMV offices. Study the manual, but also think about how each rule applies to real NH roads — the long descent into the Connecticut River Valley on I-89, the tight corners on Route 302 through Crawford Notch.
We built this practice test to match the real thing. Same question count, same time limit, same focus on what matters for New Hampshire drivers. No surprises on test day.
Topics Covered
Study Tips
New Hampshire DMV examiners focus on the exact order of coupling and uncoupling. They want to see that you can do it blindfolded — especially when the trailer is parked on a slight slope, like at a loading dock in Berlin. Memorize the steps: check the fifth wheel, back under, lock the jaws, connect the air lines and electrical, test the connection, then raise the landing gear. Don't skip any step.
Winter driving is a big part of the test. NH examiners will ask about what to do if your air lines freeze, how to drain air tanks to prevent moisture buildup, and when to use chains. On a test, you'll likely see a question about the proper speed for a combination vehicle on a downgrade covered in snow. The answer is almost always to go slow enough that you don't need to use your brakes hard — engine braking is your friend.
Use our practice test to drill these concepts. Focus on the questions that feel most NH-specific, like those about off-tracking on tight mountain roads. If you can answer those, the rest comes easy.
New Hampshire Specific Information
New Hampshire's CDL written tests are administered at most DMV offices, including Concord (the main office), Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Berlin. You'll need to schedule an appointment online or by phone — walk-ins are often turned away due to limited capacity. Bring your valid driver's license, Social Security card, and a current Medical Examiner's Certificate.
The Combination Vehicles test is part of your written permit exam. You'll take it on a computer at the DMV. The fee for the written test is $10, and you'll need to pay again if you fail and retake it. After passing, you'll get a commercial learner's permit valid for 180 days. You can take the skills test at any of NH's approved third-party testing sites or at the DMV's own test track in Concord.
One thing to note: NH does not have a separate "Combination Vehicles" knowledge test for Class B drivers — this is only for Class A. If you're upgrading from Class B to A, you'll need to pass this test even if you already have a CDL. Also, if you have a hazmat endorsement, you'll need a separate background check and knowledge test.