2026 data New Hampshire board official source

New Hampshire Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) License Requirements

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

Operates large commercial vehicles. Federal CDL recognized nationwide.

What the New Hampshire data shows for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)s

To practice as a commercial truck driver (cdl) in New Hampshire, the state licensing board requires 160 documented education or training hours, a passing score on CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 21 years old. The regulation sits under New Hampshire's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "CDL Training Program".

Budget $20 to get started, plus $20 at each renewal on a 4-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in New Hampshire, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

For commercial truck driver (cdl)s, the reciprocity picture is: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states.

Licensing Ease Score

A
Licensing Ease Score
87/100
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) · New Hampshire

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B-
160 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A+
$20
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$5/yr
$20 every 4 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in New Hampshire

Education / Training Hours
CDL Training Program
160 hours
Exam Requirement
CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test
Required
Initial License Fee
$20
Renewal Fee
$20
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
21 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Hampshire licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's requirements cover 160 hours of education or training, the CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test exam, and an initial fee of $20. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire licenses commercial truck driver (cdl)s who complete its requirements (160 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the New Hampshire licensing board.
Can I transfer my Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) license to New Hampshire from another state?
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The New Hampshire licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does New Hampshire require a background check for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for commercial truck driver (cdl) licensing in New Hampshire. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

What to do with this commercial truck driver (cdl) license

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in New Hampshire, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a commercial truck driver (cdl)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the New Hampshire licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.