Cargo that blocks emergency exits

NH · P Endorsement

New Hampshire Passenger CDL Practice Test

Below are 25 exam-style questions for the New Hampshire Passenger CDL knowledge test, modeled on the FMCSA-aligned content used by the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles. Try to answer each question on your own before reading the answer key directly under it. The questions and answer choices are shuffled deterministically per state and endorsement, so the order will stay the same on repeat visits — that lets you genuinely measure your improvement.

Heads up: this is a study tool, not a graded exam. Cover the answer with your hand or a sheet of paper for an honest practice run, then re-read the explanations for any questions you missed. Aim for 22 out of 25 or better, three times in a row, before scheduling the real exam.

Question 1 of 25

A bus may NOT carry:

A Bicycles in approved racks
B Cargo that blocks emergency exits
C Luggage in the overhead racks
D Wheelchair passengers

Correct answer: B

Cargo blocking emergency exits is prohibited; passenger safety in evacuation is paramount.

Question 2 of 25

A bus driver involved in a crash must:

A Wait for passengers to call
B Tell only the dispatcher
C Continue the trip
D Notify the carrier and applicable authorities, render aid, and follow company emergency procedures

Correct answer: D

Standard emergency procedures and reporting apply.

Question 3 of 25

A bus driver may NOT carry on the bus:

A Service animals
B Class 6 (poison) liquids in passenger areas
C Walking aids for passengers
D Carry-on luggage in approved overhead racks

Correct answer: B

Poison and other prohibited materials cannot ride in the passenger area.

Question 4 of 25

A bus driver should know the location of:

A Bus depot phone
B Fuel gauge only
C Emergency exits, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and reflective triangles
D Passenger seat numbers only

Correct answer: C

Knowing emergency equipment locations is essential to fast response.

Question 5 of 25

A bus driver must not permit:

A Disorderly conduct that endangers others
B Open alcohol on the bus
C All of the above
D Smoking on a bus where smoking is prohibited

Correct answer: C

All three are restricted on most passenger buses.

Question 6 of 25

A bus carrying passengers must stop at railroad crossings:

A Never; just slow down
B Within 5 feet of the rail
C Between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail
D Only when a train is visible

Correct answer: C

Federal rule requires buses to stop in the 15-50-foot zone, open the door, and listen.

Question 7 of 25

A bus with disabled passengers should:

A Refuse to carry them
B Have working lifts/ramps and securements
C Charge extra fees
D Use only the rear door

Correct answer: B

Federal accessibility rules require working lifts and securement for wheelchair users.

Question 8 of 25

When carrying mobility devices, the driver should:

A Secure the device per training and manufacturer's instructions before moving
B Move while securement is in progress
C Skip securement on short trips
D Allow the passenger to ride unsecured

Correct answer: A

Secure mobility devices fully before moving the bus.

Question 9 of 25

In a long downhill, a bus driver should:

A Coast in neutral
B Apply brakes heavily
C Use a low gear and steady moderate brake application to control speed
D Increase speed

Correct answer: C

Same long-downgrade rule as other heavy vehicles, with extra concern for passenger comfort and safety.

Question 10 of 25

Hazardous materials in small amounts are sometimes allowed in a bus, but:

A Never
B In bulk only
C In the cab only
D Only certain types and quantities, kept in a designated, ventilated area

Correct answer: D

Small-quantity hazmat exceptions exist for buses, with strict limits on quantity and packaging.

Question 11 of 25

Pre-trip inspection of a bus includes checking:

A All of the above
B Emergency exits
C Tires and wheels
D Brakes, steering, exhaust, signaling devices

Correct answer: A

Pre-trip is comprehensive: safety systems, emergency equipment, and structural items.

Question 12 of 25

After an emergency, the bus driver must:

A Drive away
B Wait for police
C Resume the route
D Account for every passenger and verify no one is left aboard

Correct answer: D

Confirm everyone is safely off the bus before any other action.

Question 13 of 25

A bus may NOT be operated with:

A Properly working emergency lighting
B Damaged or missing seat belts where installed
C Working signaling devices
D A current inspection

Correct answer: B

Damaged equipment makes the bus unsafe and out-of-service.

Question 14 of 25

During an emergency stop on the highway, a bus driver should:

A Stop in the lane and wait
B Open all doors at speed
C Pull off as far as possible, set brakes, place triangles, evacuate if needed
D Drive on the shoulder slowly

Correct answer: C

Pull off, secure the bus, deploy warning triangles, and protect the passengers.

Question 15 of 25

During night driving, a bus driver should:

A Drive with high beams in oncoming traffic
B Speed up because traffic is lighter
C Disable the dome lights
D Reduce speed enough to stop within range of low-beam headlights

Correct answer: D

Distance you can see at night is shorter; speed must match.

Question 16 of 25

A bus driver who must handle a noisy or threatening situation should:

A Try to drive faster to end the trip
B Pull over to a safe place and address it
C Ignore it
D Turn up the music to drown it out

Correct answer: B

Pulling over allows the driver to manage the situation safely.

Question 17 of 25

A bus may carry small-arms ammunition only:

A In quantities and conditions allowed by federal regulations
B On freight trips only
C In bulk only
D In any quantity

Correct answer: A

Limited quantities and proper packaging may be allowed; check regulations and company policy.

Question 18 of 25

A "transit bus" is generally:

A A bus over 80 feet long
B Designed for short trips with frequent stops, allowing standees on certain routes
C Used only for cross-country travel
D A bus with no doors

Correct answer: B

Transit buses serve urban routes with frequent stops and may allow standees behind the standee line.

Question 19 of 25

A bus making frequent stops in a city should:

A Use mirrors to clear the area before pulling out
B Skip the four-way flashers
C Maintain speed in traffic
D Honk the horn at every stop

Correct answer: A

Stop-and-go traffic requires careful mirror checks before re-entering traffic.

Question 20 of 25

When evacuating a bus in an emergency, you should:

A Use the rear door for everyone
B Open all windows first
C Use the door away from the danger
D Wait for help to arrive

Correct answer: C

Evacuate from the door safest from the danger and account for every passenger.

Question 21 of 25

A passenger who interferes with the driver should be:

A Given a discount
B Pushed off the bus immediately
C Ignored
D Warned, and if interference continues, the driver may put them off in a safe location

Correct answer: D

Driver authority includes putting off passengers who threaten safety, in a safe location.

Question 22 of 25

When taking on passengers at a stop, the driver should:

A Press the accelerator slightly
B Close the door immediately
C Wait for all passengers to be safely aboard before beginning to move
D Start moving as the last passenger boards

Correct answer: C

Wait until everyone is on, paid (if needed), and seated or behind the standee line.

Question 23 of 25

On a bus, all passengers must:

A Be seated or in standee positions, with no one in the doorway when bus is in motion
B Be standing
C Wear hard hats
D Be seated only at night

Correct answer: A

Doorway must be clear when bus is moving so emergency exit is unobstructed.

Question 24 of 25

When you must announce a delay or change to passengers:

A Tell only the front passengers
B Skip the announcement
C Post a note
D Use the public-address system or speak clearly so all passengers can hear

Correct answer: D

Clear announcements keep passengers informed and reduce anxiety.

Question 25 of 25

A bus that catches fire should be:

A Parked in the open and away from buildings, with passengers evacuated to a safe distance upwind
B Driven to a fire station
C Refueled to overcome the fire
D Closed up to contain the fire

Correct answer: A

Open-air parking and upwind evacuation are the standard procedure.

Study tips for the New Hampshire Passenger exam

The Passenger portion of the New Hampshire CDL exam is graded out of the bank of questions the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles draws from each year. While the exact bank is not published, every question is sourced from the Passenger chapter of the New Hampshire CDL handbook, which itself is derived from the FMCSA Model Commercial Driver's License Manual. That means studying our practice tests, reading the corresponding handbook chapter, and re-reading the parts you got wrong is genuinely the most efficient route to a first-time pass.

Most successful applicants follow a simple cycle: take the practice test cold, write down every question you missed, open the matching chapter of the official New Hampshire handbook, re-read the section that contains the right answer, then re-take the practice test 24 to 48 hours later. The 24-hour delay matters — sleep is when your brain commits new information to long-term memory, and CDL knowledge questions reward that kind of consolidated learning rather than cramming.

Pay particular attention to questions that include qualifier words like always, never, only, primary, or most. CDL test writers love to flip the right answer with a single qualifier. When two answer choices look almost identical, pay attention to the verb (is it must, should, or may?) and to any numbers (14 days, 100 air miles, 8 hours, 70/8 split). On endorsement tests in particular, watch for trick framing where a true statement about a different endorsement is offered as the "correct" answer to a question that is actually about Passenger.

Test-day logistics matter too. Bring photo ID, your Social Security card or birth certificate, your medical examiner's certificate (DOT card), and proof of state residency if you haven't already submitted those documents. The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles will not let you sit for the knowledge exam without your documentation, and most offices charge an additional fee for re-attempts. Arrive early — the wait at most CDL testing offices runs 30 to 60 minutes — and silence your phone before the exam begins.

Finally, keep your General Knowledge fundamentals sharp even when you're focused on the Passenger exam. Many states administer multiple knowledge tests in a single sitting, and questions on weight definitions (GVWR, GCWR, GAWR), stopping distance, and the pre-trip inspection routine show up across endorsements. If you're unsure on the basics, sit a fresh New Hampshire General Knowledge practice test before scheduling the real exam.

Next steps

Missed more than four questions? Re-read the Passenger study guide and the matching chapter in the official New Hampshire CDL handbook. Then come back and re-take the test. Once you can score 22 of 25 or higher on three runs in a row, you're in good shape to schedule the real exam at your local New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles office.

Already comfortable with this endorsement? Drill another: NH General Knowledge · NH Air Brakes · NH Combination Vehicles · NH Hazardous Materials · NH School Bus · NH Tank Vehicle · NH Doubles / Triples

New to the CDL process in New Hampshire? Read How to apply for a CDL in New Hampshire for the document checklist and step-by-step timeline.