New Hampshire General Knowledge Test
Built for NH roads like I-93 through Franconia Notch and winter snow on Route 16.
Select Test Mode
Get ready for the New Hampshire CDL General Knowledge Test. 50 questions, 80% to pass, 60 minutes — start practicing now.
Key Topics
- •Pre-trip inspection with winter focus
- •Safe driving on mountain roads
- •Air brakes and brake lockup
About the New Hampshire General Knowledge Test
Topics Covered
- ✓Vehicle inspection — NH winters wreck your truck. Expect extra focus on checking for salt corrosion, frozen air lines, and bald tires.
- ✓Safe driving — I-93 through Franconia Notch has no shoulders and tight curves. One distraction and you're in the rocks.
- ✓Basic control — Logging trucks on Route 302 need to know off-tracking on hairpin turns. That's why the test asks about it.
- + 3 more topics
📘 Study Tips & State Info
New Hampshire DMV examiners love the pre-trip inspection. They'll ask you the step-by-step for checking brakes, lights, and tires. Memorize the order from the manual — they want the exact sequence, not just 'check the tires.' In winter, they'll throw in questions about ice buildup on brake chambers and frozen gladhands.
Air brake questions make up a big chunk of the test. Know how to check for moisture in the system, how to do a brake test at 90-100 psi, and what to do if the low-pressure warning comes on. On NH roads, losing air pressure on a downgrade is a disaster — they test that hard.
Don't just read the manual. Picture yourself driving I-89 in a snow squall or Route 101 during morning fog. When the book says 'reduce speed for conditions,' think about what conditions actually look like here. That mental connection helps the answers stick.
The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles handles CDL testing at several offices, including Concord, Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth. You can walk in for the written General Knowledge test, but it's smart to call ahead. The skills test requires an appointment — expect to wait a few weeks in summer. Fees for the CDL permit application are $50, which includes the written test. You'll need to bring a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate and proof of residency.
New Hampshire also allows third-party testing for the skills portion at approved locations. Check the NH DMV website for a list. If you fail the General Knowledge test, you can retake it the next business day. No limit on retakes, but you pay the fee each time. The test is available in English only, but you can request an oral or audio version at most offices.
About the New Hampshire General Knowledge Test
New Hampshire isn't flat, and it sure isn't warm half the year. The General Knowledge Test here covers everything you need to drive safely on roads like Route 16 through the White Mountains or the tight lanes of I-93 through Franconia Notch. You'll face questions about winter driving on black ice, handling logging trucks on gravel roads, and navigating construction zones on the Everett Turnpike.
This test is the first step for every CDL applicant — Class A, B, or C. You need 40 out of 50 to pass (that's 80%), and you get 60 minutes. The NH DMV follows federal standards, but they add their own emphasis on pre-trip inspections and air brakes because of our harsh winters and mountain grades.
Don't treat this like a multiple-choice game. The questions are designed to make you think like a professional driver. If you can't explain why you'd check your brakes before descending into the Pemigewasset Valley, you're not ready. Study the New Hampshire CDL manual, but also think about how each rule applies to our roads, our weather, and our industries.
Topics Covered
Study Tips
New Hampshire DMV examiners love the pre-trip inspection. They'll ask you the step-by-step for checking brakes, lights, and tires. Memorize the order from the manual — they want the exact sequence, not just 'check the tires.' In winter, they'll throw in questions about ice buildup on brake chambers and frozen gladhands.
Air brake questions make up a big chunk of the test. Know how to check for moisture in the system, how to do a brake test at 90-100 psi, and what to do if the low-pressure warning comes on. On NH roads, losing air pressure on a downgrade is a disaster — they test that hard.
Don't just read the manual. Picture yourself driving I-89 in a snow squall or Route 101 during morning fog. When the book says 'reduce speed for conditions,' think about what conditions actually look like here. That mental connection helps the answers stick.
New Hampshire Specific Information
The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles handles CDL testing at several offices, including Concord, Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth. You can walk in for the written General Knowledge test, but it's smart to call ahead. The skills test requires an appointment — expect to wait a few weeks in summer. Fees for the CDL permit application are $50, which includes the written test. You'll need to bring a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate and proof of residency.
New Hampshire also allows third-party testing for the skills portion at approved locations. Check the NH DMV website for a list. If you fail the General Knowledge test, you can retake it the next business day. No limit on retakes, but you pay the fee each time. The test is available in English only, but you can request an oral or audio version at most offices.