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New Hampshire General Knowledge Test

You'll drive I-93 through Franconia Notch — our practice test covers the steep grades and sudden weather changes you'll face.

140
Questions
80%
To Pass
60
Minutes

140 questions · 60 min time limit · 80% to pass

Opens in a practice window — choose your mode inside.

JM

Reviewed by Jack Mahana, CDL Instructor (13+ years)

Last verified: August 2026

All questions sourced from the official New Hampshire CDL handbook and FMCSA regulations.

About the New Hampshire General Knowledge Test

New Hampshire's roads aren't like anywhere else. You'll haul loads over the White Mountains on I-93, navigate tight turns on Route 16 through the Lakes Region, and deal with sudden fog banks near the coast. Logging trucks share two-lane highways with tourists in RVs. Winter weather can change from clear to blizzard in minutes. This practice test prepares you for all of it.

The NH DMV test follows the federal CDL standards but adds state-specific questions. You'll need to know about stopping for school buses (they don't require yellow lights here), weight limits on frost heave-prone roads, and how to secure loads for mountain descents. Our questions mirror those you'll see at the Concord or Manchester DMV offices.

We've built this test from the official NH CDL handbook. Every question targets a real skill you'll use on the job. Whether you're driving a dump truck for a construction company in Nashua or a delivery truck for a ski resort in North Conway, you'll face these concepts on your written exam.

New Hampshire's commercial driving centers on I-93 and I-89 through the center of the state and I-95 along the coast. The state's White Mountains feature some of the most challenging driving in New England. Our general knowledge practice test mirrors the official New Hampshire DMV CDL written exam.

The I-93 corridor through Franconia Notch and the White Mountain routes feature steep grades, tight curves, and severe winter weather. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation maintains these routes through heavy snow, but commercial drivers must be prepared for sudden condition changes. The exam tests mountain driving, chain awareness, and winter following distance.

Topics Covered

✓Air Brakes – essential for controlling heavy trucks on the steep grades of I-93 through Franconia Notch.
✓Combination Vehicles – logging and gravel trucks in NH often pull trailers on narrow, winding roads.
✓Hazardous Materials – fuel deliveries to remote ski areas and gas stations require proper placarding.
✓Transporting Passengers – school buses and tour buses need extra care on NH's rural routes.
✓Cargo Handling – unstable loads shift easily on the frost-heaved roads of the Lakes Region.
✓Vehicle Inspection – NH has strict annual inspection rules; you'll be tested on your pre-trip skills.

Study Tips

Start with the NH CDL manual from the DMV's website. Don't skip the state supplement – it covers rules like the ban on studded tires after May 1st and the requirement to chain up on certain mountain passes. Focus on air brakes and combination vehicles; those sections have the most questions.

Take our practice test at least three times. After each attempt, review the explanations for questions you missed. Pay attention to numbers – air brake lag time, stopping distances, and GCWR limits. On test day, arrive early to the DMV. They don't require appointments for written tests at most locations, but call ahead to confirm hours. Bring your permit application, proof of residence, and $10 fee.

New Hampshire Specific Information

  • You can take the NH CDL general knowledge test at any full-service DMV office. Popular locations include Concord (23 Hazen Drive), Manchester (2480 Brown Avenue), and Dover (630 Central Avenue). Most offices accept walk-ins for written tests during business hours, but hours vary – check the DMV website before you go. You'll need two forms of ID, proof of NH residency, and a $10 permit fee (cash or check).

    If you fail the test, you can retake it the same day at the same location, but you'll pay another $10 fee. NH doesn't offer the test in languages other than English. The test has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need at least 40 correct (80%). You'll get a printed score sheet immediately. Pass? You'll receive your CDL learner's permit right there, valid for 90 days. Renewals cost $10 again.

  • The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles requires a knowledge test for all CDL classes; the general knowledge exam is the foundation for every commercial license.
  • I-93 through Franconia Notch has steep grades and tight curves — engine braking and low-gear descents are essential.
  • The White Mountain routes experience severe winter weather with heavy snow and ice; chain use may be required.
  • New Hampshire's timber industry generates log truck traffic on rural two-lane highways.
  • I-95 along the seacoast carries heavy through-freight between Maine and Massachusetts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the New Hampshire CDL general knowledge test?
The test has 50 multiple-choice questions. You need 40 correct (80%) to pass.
Do I need a CDL to drive a farm truck in New Hampshire?
It depends. If the truck's GVWR is over 26,001 pounds or you haul hazardous materials, yes. Farm vehicles used within 150 miles of the farm are exempt from some CDL requirements, but you still need a permit for air brakes.
Can I take the NH CDL written test in a language other than English?
No, New Hampshire only offers the written test in English. You can use a translator for the road test, but you must arrange that ahead of time with the DMV.
How much does the NH CDL general knowledge test cost?
The permit fee is $10. That covers the written test. If you fail and retake it the same day, you pay another $10.
What's the minimum age for a CDL in New Hampshire?
You can get a CDL at 18 for intrastate driving (within NH only). For interstate driving or hauling hazardous materials, you must be 21.
JM

Reviewed by Jack Mahana, CDL Instructor (13+ years)

Last verified: August 2026 · FMCSA-compliant content