Apply for a New Hampshire CDL (commercial drivers license)
Drivers who currently hold a valid New Hampshire operators license and wish to add commercial classifications, may appear at any New Hampshire DMV office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to begin testing and must bring:
- A current valid New Hampshire license.
- An application for CDL
- A valid, up-to-date Medical Card.
Every applicant is required to pass a vision test and the New Hampshire CDL General Knowledge Test. Additional knowledge tests are required based on the desired Classifications and Endorsements. Drivers should thoroughly review the Commercial Driver License Manual Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol before applying for a CDL.
Once the required knowledge tests have been passed, the applicant will be scheduled for a New Hampshire CDL Road Skills Test based on the desired class and endorsements.
Add Endorsements to a New Hampshire CDL License
Drivers who have a valid New Hampshire CDL license and who wish to add additional endorsements must pass a vision test and the appropriate knowledge test for the endorsement. Applicants may go to any DMV office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. with:
- A current valid New Hampshire CDL license.
- An application for New Hampshire CDL.
Once the required knowledge tests have been passed, the applicant will be scheduled for the appropriate road skills test if applicable. Drivers applying for a hazmat endorsement must receive a Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) Fingerprint Clearance before applying.
Transfer a CDL License from another State
Written tests are generally not required to transfer a valid out-of-state CDL to a New Hampshire CDL with the same class and endorsements except in the case of Hazmat endorsements. Drivers transferring a Hazmat endorsement must be fingerprinted prior to coming to the DMV and take the Hazmat knowledge test.
Renew a New Hampshire CDL License
To renew a New Hampshire Commercial Driver License, appear in person at any DMV
office with:
- An application for New Hampshire CDL.
- A current valid New Hampshire CDL license.
All applicants for New Hampshire CDL renewal must pass the vision test, and based
on their endorsements, there may be the following additional requirements:
- Hazardous Material (Hazmat): Renewal of a Hazmat endorsement requires:
- Clearance from TSA via fingerprinting prior to coming to the DMV and then;
- Passing the Hazmat knowledge test.
- New Hampshire School Bus Certificate: Renewal of a school bus certificate requires:
- Proof that you have been trained and are currently on a school bus company roster for the current school year.
- Passing the school bus certificate knowledge test.
New Hampshire Commercial Driver Learner Permit
Pursuant to New Hampshire laws RSA 263:88, and 263:25, Administrative Rule Saf-C 1810.01, and Federal law 49CFR 383.25, a New Hampshire Commercial Driver Learner Permit is provided to applicants who are applying for a New Hampshire Commercial Driver License (CDL), or who currently hold a CDL but wish to upgrade, or remove restriction.
The holder of a New Hampshire Commercial Driver Learner Permit may drive a commercial motor vehicle only when accompanied by a person 25 years of age or older who holds a Commercial Driver License for the type of vehicle driven, and who must occupy the seat immediately adjacent to the individual holding the permit. In the case of a school bus or motor coach, the CDL holder shall occupy the seat directly behind or in the first row behind the driver.
A New Hampshire Commercial Driver Learner Permit is valid for 180 days; however, it may be renewed one time as long as the required knowledge examinations were successfully completed within a one year period. If your knowledge examinations were taken more than one year ago, you must re-take the knowledge tests to be eligible for the renewed permit.
Eligible drivers may apply for a Commercial Driver Learner Permit in person at any DMV location.
To get a New Hampshire Commercial Driver Learner Permit, applicants must:
- Hold a valid New Hampshire Driver License
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a valid medical card on file with the DMV
- Bring a completed CDL Application
- Pay the appropriate fees
- Successfully pass all applicable knowledge examinations
New Hampshire CDL Restrictions:
- Permit holders with a passenger (P) endorsement may not carry passengers other than the accompanying CDL holder, Federal/State auditors, inspectors, and test examiners.
- Permit holders with a school bus (S) endorsement are prohibited from operating a school bus with passengers other than the accompanying CDL holder, Federal/State auditors, inspectors, and test examiners.
- Permit holders with a tank vehicle (N) endorsement may only operate an empty tank vehicle and is prohibited from operating any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous materials that has not been purged of any residue.
- Permit holders are prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials.
How to schedule a New Hampshire CDL road test:
Upon successful completion of all applicable knowledge examinations, the road examination may be scheduled no sooner than fourteen (14) days from the issuance of the Commercial Driver Learner Permit at any DMV office, or you may call (603) 227-4020.
New Hampshire Commercial Driver License Fees
- CDL - A Combination of Vehicles - $60.00
- CDL � B Single Vehicles weighing 26,001 lbs. or more - $60.00
- CDL � C Single vehicle weighing 26,000 lbs. or less, a bus designed to transport 16 or more occupants, a hazardous material or a tank vehicle - $60.00
- CDL Learner's Permit (in addition to appropriate fee above) - $20.00
New Hampshire CDL Endorsements (fee is to be added to the appropriate fee above)
- H - Hazardous Materials - $10.00
- N - Tank Vehicles - $10.00
- P - Passenger Vehicles (16 or more occupants) - $10.00
- S - School Bus - $10.00
- T - Double/Triple Vehicles - $10.00
New Hampshire CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the
New Hampshire Knowledge Tests that are required for
the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general
knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed
by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained
in the
FREE New Hampshire CDL Handbook. Please read and study this
manual carefully.
- Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
- Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
- Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air
brakes vehicles.
- Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
- School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
- Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.
If you need help . . .
determining what Class of CDL you need based upon the type
of vehicle you will drive (A, B or C) or are not sure which CDL
Endorsements you need based upon the type of loads you will carry; use the
free CDL Selector Tool . . .
New Hampshire
Go to CDL Selector Tool
Not sure which NH CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.
Classes of New Hampshire CDL and Required Tests
| CDL Class |
Tests Required |
Possible Endorsements and Required Tests |
Class A
(Combination
vehicle endorsement required) |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Combination Endorsement Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
| Class B |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
| Class C |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam
Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one. |
|
New Hampshire CDL Endorsements
| Exam |
Time Allowed (Minutes) |
# of Questions on Exam |
# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass |
| General Knowledge |
60 |
50 |
40 |
| Air Brakes |
25 |
25 |
20 |
| HazMat |
30 |
30 |
24 |
| Tank |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Passenger |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Doubles/Triples |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Combination Vehicles |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| School Bus |
20 |
20 |
16 |
In addition to the New Hampshire CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the New Hampshire CDL and in the free New Hampshire CDL Handbook (which is quite boring and a bit confusing - and doesn't have a single multiple-choice question in it that is asked on the actual tests), the complete online
prep program will prepare you to easily pass your
New Hampshire CDL written exams to get your New Hampshire CDL permit. The skills test modules are invaluable to give you a head start before doing your
work, possibly saving you a lot of money. The New Hampshire CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .
