Free New Hampshire DMV CDL — General Knowledge Practice Test 2026
The New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge knowledge test has ~50 questions, and you need ~40 correct (80%) to pass. Practice free with questions written from the official New Hampshire driver handbook — every one has a clear explanation, and you can retake as often as you like with no sign-up.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
What's on the New Hampshire written test
The New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge knowledge test has ~50 questions; you need ~40 correct (80%) to pass.
Based on the official New Hampshire exam format — always confirm current details with your state DMV.
Practice by topic
Focus on one area at a time — each topic has its own set of New Hampshire practice questions.
Learn the shapes, colors, and meanings of regulatory, warning, and guide signs — from stop and yield to construction and school-zone signs.
Speed limits, turning and signaling rules, headlight and seat-belt requirements, and the everyday laws every driver must follow.
How to read traffic signals, lane lines, and pavement markings — including yellow and white lines, arrows, and flashing lights.
Who goes first at intersections, four-way stops, roundabouts, and crosswalks, and how to yield to pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
Following distance, scanning, blind spots, using your lights, and the habits that prevent crashes and keep you in control.
Driving safely around motorcycles, bicycles, large trucks, pedestrians, and school buses — and knowing who has the right of way.
Blood alcohol limits, zero-tolerance and implied-consent laws, and how alcohol and drugs — legal or not — affect your driving.
Legal and illegal parking, colored curbs, distances from hydrants and crossings, and how to park safely on hills.
Choosing a safe speed, keeping a space cushion, adjusting for weather and traffic, and understanding stopping distance.
What to do when things go wrong — brake failure, tire blowouts, skids, and stalling on railroad tracks.
The point system, license suspension, provisional-license rules, insurance requirements, and other licensing basics.
How to pass the first time
- Read the official New Hampshire driver handbook at least once before test day.
- Practice by topic to find your weak spots, then fix them.
- Take full-length practice tests until you pass comfortably every time.
- Read every explanation — understanding beats memorizing.
New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge test — frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge test?
The New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge knowledge test has ~50 questions, and you need ~40 correct (80%) to pass. Our practice tests mirror that format.
How many questions can I miss on the New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge test?
You can miss up to ~10 of the ~50 questions and still pass — you need ~40 correct, which is 80%.
Can I retake the practice test?
Yes — practice as often as you like, completely free. The questions and answer choices are shuffled each time.
Can I take the New Hampshire practice test in Spanish?
Yes. Every question here is available in English and Spanish — switch languages anytime. Many states also offer the real knowledge test in languages other than English; confirm what New Hampshire offers with your DMV.
Can I practice on my phone?
Yes. The practice tests work in any mobile or desktop browser — no app or sign-up needed — so you can study anywhere.
Are these the real DMV test questions?
No. Our questions are original, written from the current official New Hampshire driver handbook to match the real test's topics and style. We are not affiliated with any DMV or government agency.
What's the best way to study?
Read the New Hampshire driver handbook, practice by topic to target weak areas, and finish with full-length tests until you consistently pass.
Other New Hampshire practice tests
Take the CDL — General Knowledge test in another state
Every New Hampshire question is written from the official New Hampshire driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free
New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge questions with answers
20 sample questions from the New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge question bank — each with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the section of the official handbook it comes from.
Show all 20 questions with answers
1. What does the manual say about the time saved by driving faster than the flow of traffic?
Correct answer: Not much time is saved, and the added risk is not worth it
Saving time is the main reason drivers speed, but going faster than traffic saves little. It means constant passing, more crash risk and more fatigue.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.6.5, Speed and Traffic Flow
2. To reduce stress before and while you drive, what kind of music does the manual suggest?
Correct answer: Easy listening
Listening to "easy listening" music is among the manual's tips for lowering stress, so that other drivers' behavior bothers you less.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.10.2, Don't Be an Aggressive Driver
3. According to the manual, what is the first job at an accident scene?
Correct answer: Prevent a second crash at the same place
Protecting the area comes first, so that a second accident does not happen in the same place. Notifying authorities and caring for the injured follow.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.20.1, Protect the Area
4. During the Vehicle Inspection test, how many of the vehicle's axles will you be required to inspect?
Correct answer: Only one, though you should be ready to do the same inspection on any axle
The test has you inspect a single axle, but you should be ready to carry out that same inspection on any axle of the vehicle.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 11, Vehicle Inspection Test
5. Looking well down the road, you watch for other vehicles. Which three movements does the manual single out?
Correct answer: Vehicles coming onto the highway, moving into your lane, or turning
Look for vehicles entering the highway, moving into your lane, or turning. Seeing them early lets you change speed or lanes in time.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.4.1, Seeing Ahead
6. A hazardous materials identification number is written after a two-letter prefix. Besides "UN", which prefix does the manual name?
Correct answer: NA
The four-digit identification number follows either the letters NA or the letters UN.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.23.3, Lists of Regulated Products
7. Which of these is the manual's example of a mental distraction?
Correct answer: Dwelling on an event from earlier in the day
Mental distractions take your mind off the road, such as a conversation with a passenger or thinking over something from earlier in the day. Reaching for an object is a physical distraction.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.9.3, Types of Distractions
8. How does the manual's table of BAC effects describe a BAC of .02?
Correct answer: A mellow feeling and slight body warmth, with less inhibition
Even the lowest row shows an effect: a mellow feeling and slight warmth, with the person less inhibited.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.22.2, Other Drugs (Effects Of Increasing Blood Alcohol Content)
9. For which situations does the manual say to use the four-way emergency flashers as a warning to drivers behind you?
Correct answer: When your vehicle is crawling along or standing still
A few brake taps warn drivers that you are slowing. The four-way flashers are for times when you are moving very slowly or have stopped.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.5.1, Signal Your Intentions
10. Which statement about buses and license classes matches the manual?
Correct answer: Depending on its weight rating and whether it is a combination, a bus can fall in Class A, B or C
A bus can fall in Class A, B or C. Which one depends on its weight rating and on whether it is a combination vehicle.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 1, To Get a CDL or CLP
11. For the road test's stop/start maneuver, where does the manual say to move your vehicle before you stop?
Correct answer: To the right-most lane or the shoulder
After checking traffic in every direction, you move to the right-most lane or the shoulder and stop as though you were getting out to check something.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 13.1.6, Stop/Start
12. By the manual's figures, how far does a vehicle going 55 mph travel during the average perception time of an alert driver?
Correct answer: 142 feet
An alert driver's perception time averages 1 3/4 seconds, which is 142 feet at 55 mph. Reaction adds 61 feet and braking about 216, for 419 in all.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.6.1, Stopping Distance
13. What is the purpose of the safety arm on the front of a school bus?
Correct answer: It makes students cross well away from the front of the bus, in the driver's view
The safety arm makes students cross well out in front of the bus, about 10 feet away, where the driver can see them.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 11.3, School Bus Only
14. On the manual's chart of extinguisher types, for which classes of fire is carbon dioxide (dry) listed?
Correct answer: B or C
The chart lists carbon dioxide (dry) for Class B or C fires, the same pairing it gives for regular dry chemical.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.21.3, Fire Fighting
15. Which of these is a ground for denying or taking away a hazardous materials endorsement?
Correct answer: Renouncing United States citizenship
The list includes not being a lawful permanent resident, renouncing U.S. citizenship, certain felony charges or convictions, and being judged a security threat by TSA.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 1.3.6, Hazardous Materials Endorsement Background Check and Disqualifications
16. On the road test you come to an intersection that has a sidewalk but no stop line. If you have to stop, where does the manual say to stop?
Correct answer: Behind the sidewalk
A required stop is made completely, with no coasting, behind any stop sign, signal, sidewalk or stop line, leaving a safe gap behind any vehicle ahead.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 13.1.2, Intersections
17. An oversized load may travel with pilot vehicles. What does the manual say those vehicles may carry?
Correct answer: Warning signs, flashing lights, or both
Special loads may call for a police escort or for pilot vehicles, and the pilot vehicles display warning signs, flashing lights, or both.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 3.4.4, Oversized Loads
18. The manual groups the problems of night driving under three headings. Which are they?
Correct answer: The driver, the roadway and the vehicle
Night driving problems are sorted into driver factors, roadway factors and vehicle factors.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.11.1, It's More Dangerous
19. Which of these is on the manual's list of serious driving errors caused by alcohol?
Correct answer: Running over the curb
The list: slower reactions to hazards, speeds that are too high or too low, the wrong lane, running over the curb, and weaving.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.22.1, Alcohol and Driving
20. Why does the inspection guide say a commercial vehicle's lights are inspected?
Correct answer: They let the driver see, be seen and communicate with other traffic
Lights are what let the driver see, be seen and communicate with the traffic around the vehicle.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 11.4, Lights Operations Check (All Vehicles)