A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in New Hampshire to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. New Hampshire CDL fees start at $50 for a 4-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the New Hampshire CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA background check and fingerprinting required. Valid 5 years. Needed for fuel oil delivery (a critical home heating commodity in NH), propane transport, and chemical deliveries.
Required for liquid or gas bulk tank operations. Common for home heating oil and propane delivery throughout New Hampshire's cold climate rural areas.
Required for buses carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver.
Requires P endorsement. Background check required in New Hampshire.
Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Class A CDL required.
Combination of H and N endorsements; TSA background check applies. Important for home heating oil tanker operators — fuel oil delivery is a major industry in NH.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants, and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Training must be completed through an FMCSA-registered provider listed in the Training Provider Registry (TPR) at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in New Hampshire →Interstate CDL holders must hold a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) issued by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner. The MEC is valid for up to 24 months (shorter for drivers with certain conditions). Submit the MEC copy to New Hampshire DMV and self-certify as 'non-excepted interstate'.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a New Hampshire DMV office with proof of identity, New Hampshire residency, and Social Security Number. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL original fee is $50.
New Hampshire CDLs are valid for 4 years. Your DOT Medical Certificate is separate — most interstate drivers must renew it every 24 months or as required by your medical examiner.
New Hampshire allows 22,400 lbs on a single axle and 36,000 lbs on a tandem axle — both higher than the federal standard of 20,000 and 34,000 lbs respectively. These state limits apply on NH state routes. Interstate highways follow federal limits. Verify road-specific limits at NHDOT before routing.
New Hampshire posts frost law weight restrictions on secondary roads typically March through May during the spring thaw. Posted roads may reduce legal vehicle weights by 30–50% or ban heavy vehicles entirely. Violations are strictly enforced. Check NHDOT's road status system at dot.nh.gov before routing off Interstate highways in spring.
The Nashua and Manchester area has grown significantly as a distribution hub due to lower costs and taxes compared to Massachusetts, with I-93 and I-293 providing direct Boston access. Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and numerous regional carriers operate out of southern NH. Home heating oil delivery is a major seasonal employer across the state.
Browse commercial trucks for sale from dealers in New Hampshire on TruckRadar.
New Hampshire CDL fees are $50 — competitive for New England. Fees subject to change — verify current amounts at nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv. Skills test fees vary by location. DOT Medical Certificate must be renewed separately per FMCSA requirements. NH has no state income tax which can affect net pay calculations for owner-operators.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: New Hampshire NH Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026