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SOUTH DAKOTA CDL Practice Test 2024

1. What to expect on the Knowledge Tests? 

You are required to take one or more knowledge tests listed below depending on what class of license and what endorsements you need. The CDL knowledge tests encompass:

• The General Knowledge Test including 50 questions is taken by all applicants. 
• The Passenger Transport Test consisting of 20 questions is taken by all bus driver applicants. 
• The Passenger School Bus Test contains 30 questions.
• The Air Brakes Test, which you must take if your vehicle has air brakes, including air over hydraulic brakes, has 25 questions.
• The Combination Vehicles Test, which is required if you want to drive combination vehicles, contains 20 questions.
• The Hazardous Materials Test, required if you want to haul hazardous material as defined in 49 CFR 383.5, includes 30 questions.  
• The Tanker Test, required if you want to haul a liquid or liquid gas in a permanently mounted cargo tank rated at 119 gallons or more or a portable tank rated at 1,000 gallons or more, has 20 questions.
• The Double/Triples Test contains 20 questions and is required if you want to pull double or triple trailers. 

The Passing score you must achieve is getting at least 40 correct questions. Furthermore, tests will only be given once per day, thus if you want to retest, you will need to return the next business day. All the content of the CDL South Dakota exam is taken from the South Dakota CDL Manual Book.

2. What is about the Skill tests? 

After passing the required knowledge test(s) above, you can be awarded an Instruction Permit and then take the CDL skills tests. There are three types of general skills that will be tested on the road test  with the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed following:

2.1.  Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection

• Purpose: It is raised to see if you know whether the vehicle is safe to drive.
• Test Procedure: You will be asked to inspect your vehicle and explain to your examiner what you would examine and give the reasons. 

You will get a mark for each item that you correctly inspect and explain. 

2.2. Basic Vehicle Control

• Purpose: It is  used to assess your basic skills in operating the vehicle.
• Test Procedure: Various exercises marked out by lines, traffic cones, or something similar will appear on this test. More specifically, the exercises may encompass moving the vehicle forward, backing, or turning maneuvers. 

How well you stay within the exercise boundaries and how many pull-ups you make will be counted to score your final score. 

2.3. Road Skills Test

• Purpose: It is used to evaluate your capability in driving safely in a variety of on-the-road situations.
• Test Procedure: It may consist of intersections, railway crossings, curves, up and down grades, left and right turns, rural or semi-rural roads, city multi-lane streets, signaling, searching for hazards, controlling speed, and lane positioning  and expressway driving.

Keep in mind you will drive over the test route following instructions given by the examiner.  

3. Who must have a South Dakota Commercial Drivers License?

You must have a South Dakota Commercial Driver License to drive one of the following Commercial Motor Vehicles following: 

• A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds.
• A trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 or more pounds if the gross combination weight rating is 26,001 or more pounds.
• A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons (containing the driver).
•  Any size vehicle requires hazardous materials placards or carries material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73.

4. How do you get a Commercial Driving License? 

4.1 Get the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

Possessing a Commercial Learner’s Permit is the first step in getting your CDL. After scheduling an appointment with your local DVM, you must

• Have the proper identifying documents with you
• Provide all of the correct medical paperwork
• Accomplish a South Dakota Driver License 
• Pass (a) written test(s) for the class and endorsements you want
• Pay the compulsory fee: $33 for CDL fee and $15 for each endorsement added. 

4.2. Practice on public roads with your CLP

When you equip yourself with the CLP, you can practice on public roads with a valid CDL holder, preferably one that is issued in the same class as your application. You will be eligible to take your CDL exam after 14 days. 

4.3. Take your CDL skills test

In South Dakota, road tests are conducted by third-party testers only. Keep in mind that you can schedule an appointment with them at least 2 days beforehand. 

Don’t forget to ask the instructor whether you need to provide the vehicle for your test. If you have, you will be responsible for getting a vehicle of the same class that you are applying for, otherwise you might have restrictions on your license.

The CDL exam will encompass:

• Pre-trip inspection
• Basic skills test
• Road skills test

5. How much does your CDL in South Dakota cost: 

Let’s look at the following list of fees you will need to pay during your CDL application process.

• Commercial driver's license: $33.
• Skills exam: Varies by third-party testers but no more than $90 plus tax.
• Endorsements: $15 each.

6. Why is the South Dakota CDL practice test suitable for you?

It is clear that the South Dakota Practice Test is one of the best choices which facilitate your practice progress along with the driver’s manual. Let’s see our a system of practice tests which is divided based on topics: 

• South Dakota CDL General Knowledge practice test
• South Dakota CDL Air Brakes practice test
• South Dakota CDL Combination practice test
• South Dakota CDL Pre-trip Inspection practice test

and 5 endorsements:

• South Dakota CDL Tanker practice test
• South Dakota CDL Double And Triple-Trailer practice test
• South Dakota CDL HazMat practice test (Hazardous Materials)
• South Dakota CDL School Bus practice test
• South Dakota CDL Passenger practice test

With the help of South Dakota CDL practice tests, we hope to have you master the CDL test on the first go.