NH CDL General Knowledge study plan

Build a reusable pre-trip inspection checklist that covers the engine compartment, cab interior, lights, brakes, tires, and coupling points, and recite it in the correct walk-around order

Practice the seven-step in-cab brake test (leak-down, applied leak, low-pressure warning, parking brake, service brake, and air buildup) until you can state each pass/fail threshold from memory

Explain out loud the difference between controlled braking and stab braking, and name the conditions where each is used

Identify on a diagram-free verbal description the location and purpose of at least ten key vehicle components, including slack adjusters, the governor, the safety valve, and the supply line

Diagnose five written brake-system fault scenarios (low air warning failure, rapid pressure loss, frozen slack adjuster, dragging brake, air dryer purge issue) and state the correct out-of-service or continue decision for each

Describe the correct procedure for checking slack adjuster free play and pushrod travel without a gauge, and state the adjustment limit

Walk through the full coupling and uncoupling sequence for a tractor-trailer, listing the tug test, landing gear, and air line steps in order

Demonstrate by spoken narration how to check tire tread depth, sidewall damage, and dual-tire spacing, and state the minimum legal tread depth for front and other tires

Explain the shift pattern and speed ranges for a typical non-synchronized manual transmission, including progressive shifting and the reason for double-clutching

Describe the correct backing procedure for a straight-line backup and a 90-degree alley dock, including the use of pull-up corrections and a spotter

State the pivot-point and off-tracking rules for a right turn in a long wheelbase tractor-trailer, and identify the hazards to check before and during the turn

Compute stopping distance at 30, 55, and 65 mph using the perception, reaction, and braking components, and explain how weight, speed, and road surface change the result

Convert the relationship between speed and stopping distance into a rule you can state in one sentence and apply to a written scenario

Apply the four-second following-distance rule and the one-second-per-ten-feet rule to at least six written driving scenarios and justify each answer

Identify the three components of total stopping distance and the three components of hazard perception, and explain how each is affected by fatigue, rain, and load

Describe how to scan ahead, check mirrors on a schedule, and use the sweep-and-aim technique to detect hazards in a written scenario

Explain the space requirements for lane changes, merging, and entering a curve, and state when to slow before a curve rather than in it

Describe the correct recovery actions for a front-wheel skid, a rear-wheel skid, and a trailer jackknife, and explain why braking during a skid makes it worse

List the steps to take at an accident scene in order, including protecting the scene, notifying authorities, and documenting the event

Explain the correct response to a tire blowout, a brake fire, and a coolant or fuel leak, and state when to evacuate rather than fight a fire

Describe the required actions at a railroad crossing for a placarded hazmat load, a bus, and a tanker, including the stop, look, and listen sequence and the gear used to cross

Identify the correct actions for a crossing with malfunctioning signals, a stalled vehicle on the tracks, and a crossing with an active flagger

State the working load limit and the number of tiedowns required for cargo under 5 feet, 5 to 10 feet, and over 10 feet in length, and for loads over 1,100 pounds

Describe how to check load securement devices and explain the difference between a direct tie-down and an aggregate working load limit calculation

Explain how to distribute weight to stay within axle and gross weight limits, and describe the effect of a high center of gravity on rollover risk

Describe the special securement requirements for logs, dressed lumber, metal coils, paper rolls, and intermodal containers

Identify the hazards of driving with an uncovered load and the actions to take if cargo shifts in transit

State the CDL blood alcohol concentration limits for a commercial vehicle and for a personal vehicle, and the consequences of a first offense, including disqualification periods

Explain the rules on prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and describe how fatigue, illness, and sleep loss affect driving performance

List the hours-of-service limits for property-carrying drivers, including the 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour window, 30-minute break, and 60/70-hour limits

Describe how to complete a logbook entry and how to handle a roadside inspection of records

Explain the signs of fatigue and the countermeasures that work versus those that do not

Explain right-of-way rules at intersections, four-way stops, and roundabouts, and describe how to share the road with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles

Describe the rules for passing, following, and stopping for school buses and emergency vehicles, and the rules for driving in work zones

Re-run the full pre-trip inspection and brake test from memory and correct any weak points found in weeks 1 and 2

Complete a timed full-length practice test under exam conditions and review every missed question