New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge practice
New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices practice test
Following distance, scanning, blind spots, using your lights, and the habits that prevent crashes and keep you in control.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
16 questions · pass with 13 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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12 sample Safe Driving Practices questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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1. Poison fumes from a broken exhaust system can enter which parts of the vehicle?
Correct answer: The cab or the sleeper berth
The manual warns that fumes from a broken exhaust system can get into the cab or the sleeper berth.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.1.3, What to Look For
2. When you back toward the driver's side while turning, how can you watch the rear of your vehicle?
Correct answer: By looking out the side window
Backing toward the driver's side lets you see the rear of the vehicle through the side window, which is why it is safer than backing to the right.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.2.4, Backing Safely
3. Among your cargo responsibilities, the manual says your load must not restrict your access to what?
Correct answer: Emergency equipment
Whether or not you loaded it yourself, you must know the cargo does not block your view ahead or to the sides and does not keep you from reaching emergency equipment.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 3, Transporting Cargo Safely
4. Certain shipping containers come with built-in locks or tie-down hardware. What does the manual say these attach to?
Correct answer: Directly to a special frame
Certain containers lock straight onto a special frame. Others ride on flatbed trailers and must be secured like any other cargo.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 3.3.5, Sealed and Containerized Loads
5. In a closed van the walls keep cargo from falling off. Why does the manual say tie-downs can still be important there?
Correct answer: They prevent cargo shifting that could affect how the vehicle handles
Cargo that slides around inside a van can change the way the vehicle handles, so tie-downs matter in closed vans as well as on flatbeds.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 3.3.2, Cargo Tie-down
6. Which wheels does a retarder's braking power act on?
Correct answer: The drive wheels only
Retarders work on the drive wheels only. That is why they can cause a skid when those wheels have poor traction.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.3.4, Retarders
7. Near the end of the seven-step inspection, just before you start the engine again, what paperwork does the manual tell you to check for?
Correct answer: All required papers, trip manifests and permits
Back in the cab, you check that you have every required paper, including trip manifests and permits, and you secure loose articles.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.1.5, Seven-step Inspection Method
8. Which of these appears on the manual's list of tire problems to look for?
Correct answer: Radial and bias-ply tires used together
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires is on the list, along with mismatched sizes, tread separation, and duals that touch each other.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.1.3, What to Look For
9. According to the inspection guide, why does an underinflated tire have a greater chance of blowing out?
Correct answer: Extra flexing builds up excessive heat
An underinflated tire flexes more, and the flexing builds up excessive heat that can lead to a blowout.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 11.5.2, Axle Components/Steering Axle
10. During a trip the manual says to use your senses to check for problems. Which four does it name?
Correct answer: Look, listen, smell and feel
You are told to look, listen, smell and feel for signs of trouble, and to watch the gauges as well.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.1.2, Types of Vehicle Inspection
11. A driver's inspection report lists a defect that affects safety. Who is responsible for repairing it and certifying the repair on the report?
Correct answer: The motor carrier
The motor carrier must fix safety items listed in the report and certify on it that the repairs were done or were not needed.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.1.5, Seven-step Inspection Method
12. Your tires have an automatic inflation system with hoses connected to the valve stems. On the inspection test, what do you do in place of using a tire gauge?
Correct answer: State that pressure is monitored and adjusted automatically, and check that the system works
With an automatic tire inflation or pressure monitoring system connected at the valve stems, you only need to mention that it monitors and adjusts pressure and check that it is working.
Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 11.5.2, Axle Components/Steering Axle
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