New Hampshire General Knowledge CDL Prep Test (NH) 4

5 out of 5 (46 votes)
80% Passing score
20 Questions
4 Mistakes allowed
Welcome to the New Hampshire General Knowledge CDL Prep Test, your trusted resource for acing the commercial driving exam. Our fourth CDL practice test, specifically tailored for 2026, offers a unique opportunity to thoroughly prepare for your CDL exam. This NH CDL practice test features 20 DMV questions, mirroring the format and content of the official CDL test. To pass, you must correctly answer at least 16 sample questions. Unlike the actual CDL test, our prep version is not timed. This means you have the luxury of taking as much time as you need to understand each question thoroughly. This approach not only enhances your test-taking skills but also deepens your understanding of the material, ensuring you're well-prepared for the real NH CDL permit test. The questions on this NH general knowledge CDL prep test are derived directly from the official CDL driver's manual, the same source used for the actual state written test. This ensures that you're studying the most relevant and up-to-date information. We regularly update our sample DMV questions to reflect the latest changes and trends, guaranteeing that our New Hampshire CDL practice test is as current as possible for 2026. Practicing with our permit practice test will give you a significant advantage. It allows you to familiarize yourself with the types of CDL questions you'll encounter, understand the format of the real CDL written test, and identify areas where you might need additional study. This comprehensive preparation is key to passing your CDL test with flying colors. Prepare at your own pace, study efficiently, and walk into your CDL test with confidence in 2026! Start your preparation today with our New Hampshire General Knowledge CDL Prep Test and take a significant step towards achieving your commercial driving goals.
FREE CDL Practice Test App
Pass your New Hampshire CDL General Knowledge test with the NextDoorDriving app. Real questions and answers—100% free and ad-free.
Download on the App Store

Sample New Hampshire CDL Test Questions - General Knowledge

Question 1

Which two situations call for downshifting before reaching the demanding part of the roadway?

  1. A Before stopping and after leaving a curve
  2. B Before starting from a stop and while climbing a hill
  3. C Before shutting off the engine and before parking
  4. D Before starting downhill and before entering a curve

Correct answer: D – Before starting downhill and before entering a curve

Downshift before starting down a hill so the selected gear helps control speed without excessive brake use. Also slow and downshift before entering a curve, allowing some power to be maintained through the turn. Waiting until the vehicle is already descending or turning can make selecting the proper gear more difficult.

Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 2.3.1, “Manual Transmissions—Special Conditions Where You Should Downshift”

Question 2

Besides keeping cargo close to the ground, what is a key way to reduce rollover risk?

  1. A Adjust the brakes more tightly than normal
  2. B Hold the steering wheel with extra force
  3. C Drive slowly around turns
  4. D Eliminate all fifth-wheel free play

Correct answer: C – Drive slowly around turns

The two central rollover precautions are keeping cargo as low as possible and driving slowly around turns. A high center of gravity makes a loaded vehicle easier to tip, especially in curves and during sudden maneuvers. Reduce speed before corners, entrance ramps, and exit ramps, and keep the load centered whenever possible.

Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 6.1.1, “Rollover Risks”

Question 3

What should be your primary method of controlling speed on a long downgrade?

  1. A Wait until the vehicle is 5 mph above a safe speed before braking
  2. B Use repeated emergency stab braking
  3. C Select a low gear and use the engine’s braking effect
  4. D Apply only the trailer brakes

Correct answer: C – Select a low gear and use the engine’s braking effect

The New Hampshire CDL manual directs drivers to use engine braking as the principal way to control speed on downgrades. Select a sufficiently low gear before beginning the descent. Proper service-brake applications supplement engine braking and preserve braking capacity for slowing or stopping when required by traffic or road conditions.

Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 2.6.6, “Speed on Downgrades”

Question 4

A 30-foot commercial vehicle is traveling at 55 mph. What following interval should the driver maintain?

  1. A 3 seconds
  2. B 4 seconds
  3. C 5 seconds
  4. D 6 seconds

Correct answer: B – 4 seconds

A 30-foot vehicle requires three seconds of following distance under the basic one-second-per-10-feet guideline. Because 55 mph is above 40 mph, one additional second is needed. The resulting recommended interval is four seconds, with still more space needed when conditions are slippery or visibility is poor.

Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 2.7.1, “Space Ahead”

Question 5

Which pre-trip inspection finding indicates a steering-system defect?

  1. A More than 10 degrees of steering-wheel play—about 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel
  2. B A minor power-steering fluid leak while the reservoir remains full
  3. C An exhaust leak located outside the cab
  4. D An exhaust leak that can be managed by opening a window

Correct answer: A – More than 10 degrees of steering-wheel play—about 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel

The New Hampshire CDL manual warns that steering-wheel play exceeding 10 degrees—approximately two inches at the rim of a 20-inch wheel—can make a vehicle difficult to steer. Power-steering components must also be checked for leaks. Exhaust leaks and damaged exhaust components are defects and are not corrected by opening a window.

Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 2.1.2, “What to Look For”

Question 6

What causes most serious commercial-vehicle skids?

  1. A Driving too fast for road conditions
  2. B An excessive load on the steering axle
  3. C Driving with a lightly loaded cargo compartment
  4. D Using properly adjusted brakes

Correct answer: A – Driving too fast for road conditions

Most serious skids result from traveling too fast for existing road conditions. Excessive speed can lead a driver to over-brake, over-steer, or apply too much power to the drive wheels. Adjusting speed before encountering a curve, slippery surface, or other hazard reduces the need for abrupt control inputs.

Source: New Hampshire Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 2.19, “Skid Control and Recovery”

More New Hampshire CDL Practice Tests
Other CDL Endorsements