New Hampshire Pre Trip Inspection Test
You'll be inspecting a rig that might haul logs down Route 302 or cross the Kancamagus—our test covers the spots NH examiners actually check.
Select Test Mode
25 questions on the parts NH examiners care about most. Pass the written part before you touch a truck.
Key Topics
- •Engine and brake checks
- •Lights, tires, and coupling
- •Emergency equipment
About the New Hampshire Pre Trip Inspection Test
Topics Covered
- ✓Engine compartment checks – In NH's cold winters, a loose belt or low coolant can leave you stranded on the Everett Turnpike.
- ✓Brake system inspection – With mountain grades on I-93 and Route 16, brake adjustment failures cause most roadside violations here.
- ✓Lighting and reflectors – Fog and snow reduce visibility; examiners check that every marker and headlight meets NH standards.
- + 3 more topics
📘 Study Tips & State Info
New Hampshire examiners watch your hands. They want to see you touch the components, not just point. Practice the 'point-and-say' method in the NH CDL manual. Say the part name, its condition, and why it's safe. For example: 'This is a steering axle tire. It has 6/32nds of tread, no cuts or bulges, and the lug nuts are tight.'
Focus on the brake system. NH examiners spend the most time there. Know the difference between service brakes, parking brakes, and emergency brakes. Understand how air brakes work—the governor cut-in/cut-out pressures, low air warning, and what happens below 60 psi. They'll ask you to explain the air brake check step by step.
Don't memorize the order from the book. Learn the route examiners use: start at the front, go driver's side, then rear, then passenger side, then back to the cab. That's the NH standard. If you jump around, they'll think you're guessing.
New Hampshire DMV conducts CDL skills tests at four locations: Manchester (1709 S Willow St), Concord (10 Ferry St), Berlin (83 School St), and Keene (100 Main St, limited schedule). All require an appointment—walk-ins aren't accepted for the skills test. You'll pay a $30 testing fee per attempt, plus $10 for the CDL itself if you pass.
You must bring your own vehicle for the pre-trip test. It needs to be a representative commercial vehicle—usually the one you'll drive for work. The examiner will inspect your vehicle before the test begins. If it has any safety defects, they'll cancel the appointment and you'll lose the fee. Check your lights, brakes, and tires before you show up.
New Hampshire also requires a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card) before you can take the skills test. Bring the original, not a copy. Out-of-state medical cards are accepted as long as they're current. If you have a CDL from another state and transfer to NH, you still need to pass the pre-trip test—no exceptions.
About the New Hampshire Pre Trip Inspection Test
The Pre-Trip Inspection Test isn't just a checkbox. In New Hampshire, it's the first thing you'll do on your skills exam, and examiners watch every move. You'll need to walk around your vehicle and explain what you're checking—brakes, lights, tires, coupling, and emergency equipment. Miss something obvious and they'll note it before you even start the driving portion.
New Hampshire roads aren't forgiving. You could be heading up I-93 through Franconia Notch with a loaded trailer, or picking up lumber off a logging road in Coos County. If your pre-trip is sloppy, your brakes better be perfect. The state's freeze-thaw cycles wreck pavement and your equipment. That's why examiners here pay extra attention to brake components and tire condition.
This practice test follows the NH CDL manual and covers the same inspection items the state uses. You'll get 25 multiple-choice questions, and you need 80% to pass. The real test is about knowing both what to check and why it matters for a truck operating in New England.
We built this for NH drivers specifically. Not generic questions you could find anywhere. Every question ties back to something you'll actually face on a Granite State road.
Topics Covered
Study Tips
New Hampshire examiners watch your hands. They want to see you touch the components, not just point. Practice the 'point-and-say' method in the NH CDL manual. Say the part name, its condition, and why it's safe. For example: 'This is a steering axle tire. It has 6/32nds of tread, no cuts or bulges, and the lug nuts are tight.'
Focus on the brake system. NH examiners spend the most time there. Know the difference between service brakes, parking brakes, and emergency brakes. Understand how air brakes work—the governor cut-in/cut-out pressures, low air warning, and what happens below 60 psi. They'll ask you to explain the air brake check step by step.
Don't memorize the order from the book. Learn the route examiners use: start at the front, go driver's side, then rear, then passenger side, then back to the cab. That's the NH standard. If you jump around, they'll think you're guessing.
New Hampshire Specific Information
New Hampshire DMV conducts CDL skills tests at four locations: Manchester (1709 S Willow St), Concord (10 Ferry St), Berlin (83 School St), and Keene (100 Main St, limited schedule). All require an appointment—walk-ins aren't accepted for the skills test. You'll pay a $30 testing fee per attempt, plus $10 for the CDL itself if you pass.
You must bring your own vehicle for the pre-trip test. It needs to be a representative commercial vehicle—usually the one you'll drive for work. The examiner will inspect your vehicle before the test begins. If it has any safety defects, they'll cancel the appointment and you'll lose the fee. Check your lights, brakes, and tires before you show up.
New Hampshire also requires a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card) before you can take the skills test. Bring the original, not a copy. Out-of-state medical cards are accepted as long as they're current. If you have a CDL from another state and transfer to NH, you still need to pass the pre-trip test—no exceptions.