south carolina
CDL Practice Test

This is a site to help you prepare to take the CDL permit test in South Carolina. You can take these practice test questions as many times as you like, and the site is free to use. The questions on this practice test cover rules from the SC CDL manual. You will be presented with 40 questions and you must answer 34 questions correctly to pass. There is a 50-minute time limit. You may not go back once you answer a question. Click the "Start Test" button below to begin.

1 / 40

How do you make sure the air lines are not crossed and the trailer brakes are working after supplying air to the trailer?

release the tractor brakes

lift the brake pedal up

activate the parking brakes

listen for brake sounds as you apply pressure off and on the trailer brakes

2 / 40

If you do become sleepy while driving, you should _____.

turn up the radio

roll down the windows

drink caffeinated beverages

stop to sleep

3 / 40

Before pulling away, make sure the landing gear of the trailer is:

Down and that the handle is secured.

Down and that the handle is hanging free.

Raised and that the handle is hanging free.

Raised and that the handle is secured.

4 / 40

What will occur as a result of failing to perform all 3 components of the air brake check?

The driver must restart the pre-trip from the beginning.

An automatic failure of the vehicle inspection test.

None of the answers listed.

A deduction of 15 points.

5 / 40

How much space should you see between the lower and upper fifth wheel when checking the coupling of a converter dolly?

1/2 to 1 inch

none

1 to 1 1/2 inches

it depends on how heavy the load is

6 / 40

A baffled tanker has:

Bulkheads with holes that allow liquid to flow through it.

Separate compartments inside the trailer.

No side to side surge.

Balls floating in it to increase the speed of the liquid movement.

7 / 40

The crack-the-whip effect is more likely to cause the front trailer to tip over.

there is an equal chance for trailers to tip

true

false

trailers never tip

8 / 40

The compressor is connected to the engine via _____?

v-belt or gears

stag gears

lines

r-belt

9 / 40

Is it important to look into the back of the fifth wheel to see if the lockpin is locked in?

only at the end of the shift

yes

only every 7 days

10 / 40

Vehicle handling can become unsafe if the weight is not properly balanced. Hard steering can be caused by:

too little weight on the driving axles

high center of gravity

too much weight on the steering axles

under loaded front axles

11 / 40

If you are required to stop at railroad crossings, you must:

All of these answers are correct.

Remember to never shift gears while crossing tracks.

Stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail.

Proceed only when you are sure no train is coming.

12 / 40

Be careful to check the_____when unloading the smaller tanks of bulk heads.

percentage of water

percentage of alcohol

the fuel to air ratio

weight distribution

13 / 40

Select the factor that is known to cause brakes to fail or fade. (more than one answer may be correct, but select only one)

when using the engine brake more than the brakes

excessive heat from extensive use

brakes that are not aligned properly

tire retread that is mismatched

14 / 40

Select the item that is not checked in the engine compartment:

The level of the oil

The coolant level

The oil pressure

The power steering fluid

15 / 40

The two other places where the hazardous identification number must appear are:

On the back of the truck and inside the glove compartment.

Any bulk packaging and the cargo tanks.

On the gas tank and a sticker in the glove compartment.

On a temporary license plate holder and the steering wheel.

16 / 40

Bus drivers must have a CDL if they drive a vehicle:

That has air brakes.

That has a gross weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds.

Designed to seat more than 16 or more persons, including the driver.

That is designed to carry more than nine passengers.

17 / 40

What color and shape is the trailer air supply control?

it is a square knob that is yellow

it is an 8-sided knob that is red

it is a triangle-shaped knob that is red

it is a square knob that is red

18 / 40

Which of the following should you NOT do if you experience a tire failure?

hold the steering wheel firmly

you need to be aware that a tire has failed

stay off the brake pedal

engage the brakes hard and immediately

19 / 40

This object should not be damaged, bent, or rusted through and be evenly centered with the tires and dual wheels evenly separated.

All answers listed

Tire rims

Lug bolts

Budd spacing or spacers

20 / 40

When inspecting your bus, you must make sure that:

Every handhold and railing is secure.

Emergency exit handles are secure.

All of these answers are correct.

Rider signaling devices are working.

21 / 40

If there is rust around the nuts, what may it indicate?

They need to be changed out.

They are fitted just right.

They are loose.

There is a leak somewhere.

22 / 40

Select the statement that is true in regards to what is required of a driver with a double or triple trailers:

none of the answers listed

all of the answers listed

increase your following distance

drive with extra care in mountains and in bad weather

23 / 40

A minimum tread depth of 2/32 inch is required for:

Non-steer axle tires.

Parking axle tires.

Driving axle tires.

Donut tires.

24 / 40

You should activate hazard lights within approximately how many feet before railroad crossing?

300 feet

250 feet

200 feet

400 feet

25 / 40

Which of the following must be closed while the bus is in motion?

Both hatches

Windows

Emergency windows

Roof vents

26 / 40

How should the hand valve be used?

when the trailer is fully loaded down

only in conjuction with the foot brake

only in emergency situations

to test the trailer brakes

27 / 40

The _____of the kingpin has the locking jaw close around it.

tip

shank

dull section

apex

28 / 40

Which of these is a good rule for backing a straight bus?

Back toward the side opposite the driver.

Back and turn toward the driver's side.

Use your head as the mirrors are unreliable.

Back quickly while no one is coming.

29 / 40

The blind spot behind the bus could extend to how many feet?

300 feet

100 feet

200 feet

400 feet

30 / 40

With Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 Class A or B, how close can you park to a bridge, tunnel, or building?

Do not park within 200 feet.

Do not park within 300 feet.

Do not park within 100 feet.

Do not park within 500 feet.

31 / 40

A vehicle placarded for Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives:

May never be left unattended under any condition.

May be left unattended in a safe haven.

May never be parked on private property.

May not be parked on the cosignee's property.

32 / 40

The direction of liquid movement not prevented by baffles is:

Back to front.

Bottom to top.

None of the answers listed.

Side to side.

33 / 40

The trailer height is correct for connecting a converter dolly to a second or third trailer when:

the trailer will rise slightly when the converter dolly is backed underneath it

the center of the kingpin is past the locking jaw

the kingpin is over the fifth wheel

all answers listed

34 / 40

What does the drain valve for air tanks remove?

oil and water

air and oil

water and air

oil and dirt

35 / 40

What is the purpose of a driver placarding his or her vehicle?

Giving people something interesting to look at while driving.

Warning those with children to drive in another lane.

Forcing other drivers to stay 20 feet away in every direction.

Communicating risk.

36 / 40

Which of the following statements about bus evacuation is true?

If time allows, backup to the stop before evacuating the bus.

If time allows, notify the police.

If time allows, walk through the bus and close all windows.

If time allows, notify the dispatcher about evacuation location, conditions, and type of assistance needed.

37 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the axles in place

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the load secure

38 / 40

You should line up_____when getting ready to back under the trailer.

above 12 degrees to the right of the trailer

for the kingpin to activate on the driver's side first

about 12 degrees to the left of the trailer

directly in front of the trailer

39 / 40

The most stable tanker shape is:

Square

Round

Cylindrical

Elliptical

40 / 40

A tank vehicle:

Is a vehicle that can transport liquified gasses.

All answers listed.

Is a vehicle that can transport liquid.

Is a vehicle that can transport bulk fertilizer.

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (1 vote)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A south carolina Commercial Drivers License

To be eligible for a CDL in South Carolina, applicants must meet the following age eligibility requirements.

Be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial vehicle intrastate (within South Carolina only).
Be at least 21 years old to operate a commercial vehicle interstate (outside of South Carolina).

South Carolina CDL applicants must be certified that they are medically fit enough to operate a commercial vehicle and pass a vision test. Applicants are required to submit the following documents.

(Form MCSA-5876) Medical Examiner’s Certificate
(Form DL-405A) Medical Certification Requirements

Interstate non-excepted (drivers who do not work for the state or federal governments) must meet federal DOT requirements. Intrastate non-excepted drivers must meet the state requirements. Drivers who have had their licenses revoked, suspended, denied or canceled are not eligible for a CDL in South Carolina. Applicants can be disqualified for having multiple licenses.

South Carolina CDL Endorsements

H – Hazmat Vehicles
N – Tank Vehicles
P – Passenger Vehicles
S – School Bus
T – Double or Triple Trailer
X – Combination Tank Vehicles and Hazmat Vehicles

Hit the Open Road

south carolina CDL License Test Tips

All South Carolina CDL applicants must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. To pass the South Carolina test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require additional endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The South Carolina skills test can be taken 14 days after applicants pass the knowledge test. It includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic control skills and on-road driving. Applicants must pass each section.

Military veterans and current military members can apply to have the skills exam waived if they meet the requirements. To qualify for a waiver, applicants must:

Be currently enlisted in the military.
Possess a valid South Carolina driver’s license.
Have operated a commercial vehicle as part of their military duties.
Have been discharged from the military within the past 12 months.
Submit (Form DL-408A) CDL Skills Test Waiver Application for Military Personnel. The commanding officer must sign this document within 90 days of the CDL application.

Additional Information

Information on the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles

The South Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles administers CDL license requirements in South Carolina. To get more information contact them via:

Website: http://www.scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/Commercial-Licenses

Phone: 803.896.5000

Additional South Carolina CDL Helpful Links

Please use the links below to access South Carolina CDL testing resources and to learn more about practice driving tests for the state of South Carolina.

south carolina CDL Practice Test