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

Surge affects the handling of a tanker by:

Allowing you to take tighter turns.

None of the answers listed.

Increasing the wind drag.

Moving the truck in the direction the liquid flows in.

2 / 40

How should the hand valve be used?

to test the trailer brakes

only in emergency situations

when the trailer is fully loaded down

only in conjuction with the foot brake

3 / 40

You should place the starter switch key into your pocket while you are performing the pre-trip inspection because:

it could damage the starting mechanism

all of these answers are correct

someone could start and move the truck

someone could steal the truck

4 / 40

This object releases the fifth wheel locking jaw to allow uncoupling.

The locking pins

The release arm

The apron

The arm bar

5 / 40

Select the true statement about speed and stopping distance.

You need two times the stopping distance when driving at 40 mph compared to 20 mph.

None of these answers are correct.

When the road is wet it will double your stopping distance.

Tank surge will decrease your stopping distance.

6 / 40

Students exit the bus and walk:

Across the street.

The distance it takes to clear the danger zone.

At least 10 feet away from the side of the bus.

At least 8 feet away from the side of the bus.

7 / 40

Your bus starts to lean toward the outside on a banked curve, you are:

Driving on a wet surface.

Driving too fast.

Driving with bad tires.

Driving in the mountains.

8 / 40

Select the first action to do when the low air pressure warning comes on:

release the supply control valve

shift into a higher gear

adjust the engine brake

come to a stop and safely park as soon as possible

9 / 40

The school bus driver may be the only contact person from school system some parents meet. The percentage of such parents is as high as:

0.85

0.5

0.72

0.65

10 / 40

Animals and human foodstuffs should not be loaded in the same vehicle with?

Flammable gases

Poisons

Flammable liquids

Explosives

11 / 40

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

only every 7 days

only at the end of the shift

yes

12 / 40

Select the situation in which you should use the hand valve to park a combination vehicle.

in no situation

when parking at loading docks

during the winter

when parking on a grade

13 / 40

There are 2 reasons as to why hauling liquids take special care. One reason is the ___center of gravity.

low

long

high

narrow

14 / 40

Why should you know the outage?

Just in case you become a contestant in a trivia competition.

Heavier liquids don't require outage.

Baffles are not always permitted with certain types of liquids.

Liquids expand different amounts.

15 / 40

What will happen should a driver cross the air lines when hooking up the an older trailer?

if there are no spring brakes, you can drive on but there will be no trailer brakes

the hand valve will activate the tractor brakes instead of the trailer brakes

the brake pedal will activate the trailer spring brakes instead of the air brakes

none of the answers listed

16 / 40

Who is responsible for packaging, labeling, and preparing the hazardous material shipping papers for a common carrier?

The shipper

Your spouse

The driver

The carrier

17 / 40

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

Down and that the handle is hanging free.

Raised and that the handle is secured.

Raised and that the handle is hanging free.

Down and that the handle is secured.

18 / 40

It takes special care to drive tankers with liquid in them because:

The high center of gravity of the load.

The low center of gravity of the load.

The movement of the liquid even when the truck is stopped.

The baffles create odd rocking motions.

19 / 40

What placards, if any, do you need if your load includes 20 pounds of Division 2.3 gas and 1,001 pounds of flammable gas?

Poison 23 and flammable gas 21.

Poison 23 and dangerous.

None, you cannot load these materials together.

Just dangerous placards are required.

20 / 40

Select the true statement about double or triple trailers.

they can have a dangerous "crack the whip" effect

they present a rearward amplification hazard

all answers listed

they can roll over due to abrupt steering movements

21 / 40

Who is responsible for certifying on the bills of lading that the hazardous materials are prepared properly?

The driver

The dock workers

The shipper

The carrier

22 / 40

What is the safest way to stop unruly behavior on the bus?

Have the unruly students move to the front of the bus.

Yell loudly for the students to sit down and behave themselves.

Keep checking the rear view mirror so you can see what happened and report to the principal.

Pull off the road in a safe location, secure the bus, stand up, and tell the students what behavior you expect of them.

23 / 40

The emergency air line is used to:

provide back up air pressure

engage the trailer brakes when there is an air pressure loss

engage the tractor's front brake when there is air pressure loss

to alert emegency services when there is a problem

24 / 40

Carry-on baggage cannot be stored:

Under the seat.

Behind the seats.

In the aisles and stairwells.

On the seats.

25 / 40

____is what can legally hold the parking brake or emergency brake in position for a bus, truck, or truck tractor.

Air pressure

Brake pressure

Spring pressure

All of these answers are correct

26 / 40

Which of the following answers lists the three types of emergency equipment you must have on your bus?

Emergency reflectors, fire extinguisher, signal flares and tire repair kit.

Hydraulic jack, fire extinguisher, signal flares.

Repair kit, spare electric fuses (unless equipped with circuit breakers), and fire extinguisher.

Fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses (unless equipped with circuit breakers), and emergency reflectors.

27 / 40

What is a passive railway crossing?

The type of crossing on which the driver does not have to stop.

The type of crossing where you can pass the tracks without stopping.

The type of crossing with no cross buck sign.

The type of crossing, which does not have any type of traffic control device.

28 / 40

What should you do before you begin to couple?

inspect the condition of the frame of the tractor

activate the spring brakes

position the fifth wheel beforehand

check your path for any hazards

29 / 40

Off-tracking happens when going around a corner and:

the rear wheels follow the front wheels in a straight path

the rear wheels follow a different pathway than that of the front wheels

the front part of the trailer pulls to the right

the rear part of the trailer goes into the shoulder

30 / 40

Your engine runs a pump when you are delivering compressed gas. Should you turn off your engine before or after you unhook the hoses after finishing that delivery?

Turn it off before unhooking.

Leave it on the entire time.

Turn it off on arrival—use other power to run the pump.

Turn if off after unhooking.

31 / 40

If students must cross the street, when they get off the bus, which statement is true?

If the bus is equipped with the crossing gate, the danger of running over the child is eliminated.

For crossing, students should make eye contact with the bus driver and wait for the driver's signal that it is safe to proceed.

The student should wait to cross the street until the bus continues on its route.

When the driver signals that it is safe to proceed, the students must run across the street to reduce the exposure to danger.

32 / 40

You must not allow riders to stand:

Between the wheel wells.

Within two feet of an emergency exit.

Within two feet of any window.

In front of the standee line.

33 / 40

The minimum tread depth for steering axle tires is:

4/32 inch

None of the answers listed

14 mm

2/23 inch

34 / 40

You are inspecting the_____when looking for broken welds, cracks, holes, or other damage to the longitudinal frame member, cross members, box, and floor.

apron

fifth wheel

catwalk

frame

35 / 40

Select the true statement about converter dollies:

they usually do not have spring brakes

because of their small size they have little braking power

all answers listed

they typically require a glad hand converter

36 / 40

Drivers placard their vehicle to _____ the risk.

take away

communicate

elevate

minimize

37 / 40

If there is no traffic light or attendant, how far from the draw of a drawbridge must you stop?

5 feet

30 feet

100 feet

50 feet

38 / 40

How much space should there be between the lower and upper fifth wheel?

zero

1/4 to 1/2 of an inch

it is dependent on the load you are carrying

1 to 2 inches

39 / 40

Of the following hazardous material classes, which is the most dangerous?

Division 61

Division 63

Division 64

Division 62

40 / 40

You don't want to use wheel chocks when hooking a combination to a second trailer with no spring brakes. What should you do?

make sure the trailer will not roll away when coupling

none of the answers listed

supply air to the trailer air system via the tractor and then disconnect the emergency line

use a portable generator to supply brake pressure

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