Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerNew Hampshire CDL Prep
New Hampshire CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your New Hampshire commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the New Hampshire CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet New Hampshire age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official New Hampshire CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in New Hampshire. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerNew Hampshire CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every New Hampshire CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in New Hampshire.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire requires federally approved Entry-Level Driver Training before you can schedule a skills test. Complete ELDT for a first-time Class A or B CDL, upgrades, and first-time passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsements.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in New Hampshire?
Yes for non-excepted drivers. Keep a current medical card on file with the DMV using Form DSMV 612 for self-certification. Paper MECs are still submitted in person, by mail to Concord, or by email to [email protected]. Excepted drivers (for example, certain government or municipal operators) may not need a medical card. Failure to keep medical status current can cost you CDL privileges.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in New Hampshire?
Bring a completed Commercial Driver License Application (DSMV 312), your current New Hampshire driver's license, a valid medical certificate unless exempt, and fees. Schedule a knowledge test appointment first. The learner permit is $20 plus the $60 Class A, B, or C CDL fee.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in New Hampshire?
Yes. Complete a TSA fingerprint/background clearance before applying for hazmat, finish hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test for a first-time endorsement, then pass the hazmat knowledge exam. The H endorsement fee is $10 in addition to your CDL fee.
How long is a New Hampshire CDL learner permit valid?
A Commercial Driver Learner Permit is valid for 180 days and costs $20 (plus the $60 Class A, B, or C CDL fee). It may be renewed once if your knowledge exams were completed within the past year; otherwise you must retest. Hold the permit for at least 14 days before scheduling a road test.
How do I schedule a New Hampshire CDL road test?
After you hold your permit for 14 days and complete ELDT, schedule at any DMV office or call (603) 227-4020. If you fail the original road test, you must go to a DMV office in person to reschedule and pay a $20 fee.
How do I keep my New Hampshire CDL medical card current?
Submit a completed DSMV 612 self-certification form with a copy of your Medical Examiner Certificate and driver's license in person, by mail to the Concord Driver Licensing Bureau, or by email to [email protected]. New Hampshire still uses paper MEC submission while implementing federal electronic medical updates.
Can military members waive New Hampshire CDL skills testing?
Yes. Active service members or veterans within 12 months of honorable or general discharge who are New Hampshire residents may apply for a skills test waiver (Form DSMV 609 with commanding officer certification) under the Troops to Trucks program. Knowledge exams are still required.
Does PrepCDL cover New Hampshire?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the New Hampshire CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.