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

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

drink caffeinated beverages

roll down the windows

turn up the radio

stop to sleep

2 / 40

Select the action that is not appropriate when driving on slippery roads:

none of the answers listed

use a light pressure on the brake and accelerator pedals

avoid having traffic in your side space

use a speed retarder or engine brake

3 / 40

What is the best way to prevent brakes form overheating while drive down a steep grade?

drive at a speed of 5 mph below your safe speed

use the trailer brakes only

use countersteering practices

use the stab braking method

4 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before entering a curve

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift before climbing a hill

5 / 40

Select the true statement about stop valves in a cargo tank:

They will close in an emergency.

They are manually operated.

They will fall off in an emergency.

They protect the piping and tank during rear end collisions.

6 / 40

Select the true statement:

None of the answers listed.

A "bobtail" tractor will take longer to stop than a combination vehicle that is fully loaded down to the maximum weight.

Lighter vehicles requiring more braking power to stop compared to heavier vehicles.

Wait as long as possible to brake when driving a heavy vehicle.

7 / 40

You should turn off your engine when loading flammable liquid unless:

The material does not need a placard.

You are a non-smoker.

You need the engine to run the pump.

You are loading at night and need the headlights.

8 / 40

This object should not be worn dangerously thin where visible.

The air system lines

The brake chambers

The brake linings

All answers listed

9 / 40

This item should be firmly attached the to frame, be solid, and clear of objects:

The locking jaw

The catwalk

None of these answers are correct answers are correct

The lock pins

10 / 40

Do you need to stop before a railroad crossing if you are hauling 100 pounds of Division 4.3 Dangerous When Wet material?

Only if you have more than 1,001 pounds of it

Only in populated areas

Yes

11 / 40

To be sure that air is supplied to the second trailer:

crank the engine brake

open the emergency line shut off at the back of the second trailer

while driving at 10 mph, use the hand valve. The vehicle should stop in the same distance of a single trailer moving at 5 mph

keep an eye of the air gauge for a drop of 30 psi

12 / 40

This gauge will indicate if the generator or alternator is charging:

Coolant

Oil pressure

Gas tank

Voltmeter/ammeter

13 / 40

Mirrors with a convex surface or "spot" mirrors _____.

make things look closer and larger than they actually are

they show a larger area than flat mirrors so do not need to be checked as often

are illegal in most states

make things look farther away and smaller than they actually are

14 / 40

What color and shape is the trailer air supply control?

it is an 8-sided knob that is red

it is a square knob that is red

it is a triangle-shaped knob that is red

it is a square knob that is yellow

15 / 40

Under which two special conditions should you downshift?

before starting down a hill and before going up a hill

before entering a curve and before going up a hill

if there is an accident and in sudden heavy rain

before starting down a hill and before entering a curve

16 / 40

Which of the following must drivers have in their possession while transporting class A or B explosives?

None of these answers are correct.

The carrier's insurance policy.

The written route plan.

A gas mask.

17 / 40

How do you check the connection after locking the kingpin into the fifth wheel?

pull the tractor at a sharp right to release the trailer brakes

pull forward 25 feet, turn to the right, and then to the left

pull forward 25 feet, turn to the left, and then to the right

pull the tractor ahead gently with the trailer brakes locked down

18 / 40

What is the main difference between a portable tank and a cargo tank?

All of these answers are correct.

Cargo tanks are filled while on the vehicle, portable tanks are filled while off the vehicle.

Cargo tanks are permanently attached, portable tanks are temporarily attached.

Portable tanks must additionally show the owner or lessee's name on them.

19 / 40

Play of the steering wheel should not exceed:

30 degrees

10 degrees

15 degrees

5 degrees

20 / 40

This object is not checked at the rear of the trailer.

The back doors

The header board

The mud flaps

The bumper

21 / 40

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

None of the answers listed.

A deduction of 15 points.

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

An automatic failure of the vehicle inspection test.

22 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the axles in place

keep the load secure

23 / 40

Select when you should use the parking brake:

with rare exception, every time you leave your vehicle

each time you leave your vehicle for any amount of time

when you are leaving your vehicle for more than an hour

when in residential areas

24 / 40

There must not be more than_____for engine compartment belts.

1/2 inch of play at the center of the belt

3/4 inch of play at the center of the belt

1/4 inch of play at the ends of the belt

1/2 inch of play at the end of the belts

25 / 40

What might happen if a trailer is too high when you try to couple?

the queen pin may fall off

all answers listed

the trailer may tip to the side

it may not correctly couple

26 / 40

Tankers used to transport hazardous materials on vehicles must be marked with:

The date of manufacture.

The un or na id number of the product.

The chemtrec phone number.

The owner's puco or icc number.

27 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

a small sample of whatever is inside

all of these answers are correct

a picture of whatever is inside

that you don't exceed gross weight and axle weight limits

28 / 40

Upon what does the amount of liquid you can carry in a load depend?

All of the answers listed.

The weight of it.

The amount of expansion that will occur.

The legal weight limits.

29 / 40

Some school busses are marked with the LNG placard. What does LNG stand for?

Lifted neutral graftring.

Liquified natural gas.

Low-range pneumatic gearbox.

None of these answers are correct.

30 / 40

The belt that you need to make sure is securely mounted, without frays, and adjusts and latches properly is the:

The power steering belt

The water pump belt

The air compressor belt

The seat/safety belt

31 / 40

How often should you drain your air tanks?

at the end of each week

at the end of each trip

at the beginning of each month

at the end of each shift

32 / 40

You should____when an emergency requires you to quickly stop due to a crash.

use only the engine brakes

use stab or controlled braking

maintain pressure on the brake pedal

use the hand valve

33 / 40

A disruptive passenger:

May be thrown off the bus.

Should not be allowed on the bus.

Is not your responsibility.

Should not be discharged where it would be unsafe for them.

34 / 40

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

On a temporary license plate holder and the steering wheel.

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.

35 / 40

You should be extra cautious when___while driving a smooth bore tanker combination.

driving down a hill

driving up a hill

stopping and starting

unloading or loading

36 / 40

If you are drowsy, you should _____ before you drive.

drink coffee

take a cold shower

do a little exercise

get sleep

37 / 40

What should you do if you start a trailer skid?

release the brakes to get traction back

quickly step on the brakes

use your trailer hand brake

slowly apply a firm pressure to the brakes

38 / 40

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is:

1/32-inch

3/8-inch

1/2-inch

4/32-inch

39 / 40

Select the statement that best describes what the service line is for.

it is controlled by the foot brake or trailer hand brake and carries air

it is controlled by the trailer hand brake and carries air

all answers listed

it is controlled by the foot brake and carries air

40 / 40

On the Hazardous Materials Table, column 1 shows:

To what shipping mode the information on that line applies.

How to ship an item.

What materials can be loaded together.

How much of the material can be put in a vehicle without placarding.

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