south dakota
CDL Practice Test

This is a practice test site for the CDL test in South Dakota. Use this site as a resource as you prepare to take your SD CDL test. You can take these practice tests and go through these questions as many times as you like, and the site is free to use. Questions on these practice tests cover areas such as driving weight requirements and passenger restrictions as covered in the South Dakota 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

Air tanks need to be drained:

to keep the tanks warm when not in use

to keep the tanks cold when not in use

air tanks should absolutely never be drained

to prevent water and oil from building up in the tank

2 / 40

For any flatbed load you must have at least ____ tie downs.

six

one

two

four

3 / 40

The safety catch for the fifth wheel locking lever must be ____ for a coupling to be complete.

above the locking lever

threaded through the locking lever

sticking straight up

below the locking lever

4 / 40

Which is more likely to tip over due to the crack the whip effect?

the last trailer of a double

the last trailer of a triple

a fully loaded trailer behind the tractor

any trailer

5 / 40

What is a supply pressure gauge used for?

all of these answers are correct

it tells you how much pressure is in the air tanks

it tells you how much pressure is in the air lines

it tells you how much slack is in the slack adjusters

6 / 40

What is the movement of the liquid called when the tanks are partially filled?

Surging

Crashing

Framing

Knocking

7 / 40

Where is compressed air stored?

in the gasoline tank

in the storage tank

in the compartment for the engine

in the hose lines

8 / 40

What is the purpose of cladding in a tanker?

It eliminates liquid surge.

It protects the tanker form any corrosive cargo.

It protects the cargo from changes in temperature.

It controls the temperature of the cargo.

9 / 40

A portable tank differs from a cargo tank in that ______.

portable tanks are bulk containers, which are permanently attached to a vehicle

cargo tanks are bulk containers, which are not permanently attached to a vehicle

portable tanks are bulk containers, which are not permanently attached to a vehicle

none of these answers are correct

10 / 40

An oncoming vehicle keeps its high beams on. You should deal with this hazard by:

Turning your high beams on to "get back at them".

Look slightly to the right at a right lane or edge marking, if available.

Quickly flash your high beams to give them fair warning.

None of these answers are correct.

11 / 40

You do not have to stop at railroad crossings, but must slow down and carefully check for other vehicles:

At crossings marked as "exempt" or "abandoned".

All of these answers are correct.

Where a policeman or flagman is directing traffic.

If a traffic signal is green.

12 / 40

When inspecting the ______you are making sure that the lines and hoses are not chafed, cut, pinched, or dragged against tractor parts.

mud flaps

electric/air lines

air brake lines

lifts/door/ties

13 / 40

At around____the governor allows the air compressor to start pumping again:

225 psi

125 psi

100 psi

175 psi

14 / 40

At a railroad crossing, the bus is required to stop at the stop line. If there is no clearly marked stop line, what is the required minimum and maximum stopping distance?

No closer than 10 feet and no further than 40 feet, where you have the best view of the tracks.

No closer than 15 feet and no further than 50 feet, where you have the best view of the tracks.

No closer than 15 feet and no further than 30 feet, where you have the best view of the tracks.

No closer than 10 feet and no further than 60 feet, where you have the best view of the tracks.

15 / 40

Charter drivers should not:

Explain rules at the start of the trip.

Mention rules at the start of the trip.

Remind riders about rules once trip begins.

Allow riders on the bus until departure time.

16 / 40

With most hazardous materials, you may park within 5 feet of the road briefly, if your work requires it. The materials that are the exception and do not allow parking this close to the road are:

Liquids

Corrosives and oxidizers

Acids and poisons

Explosives A and B

17 / 40

You need to be extra careful when driving smooth bore tanks:

When unloading or loading.

All answers listed.

When stopping or starting.

When hauling food or milk products.

18 / 40

Surge affects the handling of a tanker by:

None of the answers listed.

Allowing you to take tighter turns.

Moving the truck in the direction the liquid flows in.

Increasing the wind drag.

19 / 40

What will happen right away should the service air line come apart but the emergency line is intact while driving a combination vehicle?

the trailer's air tank will leak through the one line

nothing will occur until you try to use the brakes

the emergency tractor brakes will activate

you will come to a complete stop

20 / 40

How do you check the air flow to the last trailer?

watch the brake lights as you step on the brake pedal

listen for escaping air after opening the emergency shut off valve

pull the vehicle forward and then step on the brakes

while on an level surface, test the emergency brake lines

21 / 40

If you are hauling hazardous materials and have ___ tires on your vehicle, you must stop and check them every time you park.

bias

radial

dual

treaded

22 / 40

Why should you test the tractor protection valve?

to avoid the emergency brakes kicking on due to loss of air

all answers listed

to avoid loss of air from the trailer brakes

to avoid loss of air from the air hose

23 / 40

There should be ___space between the upper and lower fifth wheel after coupling.

1/12 inch

1/30 inch

none of the answers listed

1/8 inch

24 / 40

Which of the following should you do when driving the school bus in high wind?

Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel and try to anticipate gust.

Speed up to get away from the wind as quickly as possible.

Pull off the road to wait for the winds to die down.

Drive only head-in to the wind to avoid cross-wind buffeting.

25 / 40

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

tip

shank

dull section

apex

26 / 40

"Outages" is the word to describe the amount of space required for liquids to expand in as they warm.

False, it's when the vehicle engine fails in some way

False, it's when the vehicle power system fails in some way

True

False, it's when the vehicle air braking system fails in some way

27 / 40

This component should be checked that it is solid, securely bolted to the tracture frame, and clear of objects.

The locking kingpin

The fifth wheel

The catwalk

The platform

28 / 40

A battery box check is important. The battery must be secure, connection must be tight, and cell caps must be present. In addition these items should be checked:

Battery connection should show signs of excessive wear.

Battery connections should not show signs of excessive corrosion, but the battery box and cover or door is unimportant.

Battery connections should not show signs of excessive corrosion, and the battery box and cover or door should not be damaged and should be secure.

The fluid level inside the battery.

29 / 40

Which seats must have a seat belt:

All of these answers are correct.

Senior citizen seats.

The driver's seat.

Women and children seats.

30 / 40

If you double your speed, what will happen to your stopping distance?

it stays about the same

it increases by four times

none of these answers are correct answers are correct

it increases by two times

31 / 40

You are driving a 60 foot truck at 55 MPH, how much space (in seconds) should you keep in front of you?

5 seconds

7 seconds

6 seconds

8 seconds

32 / 40

Select the definition for outage:

It is how much power is lost to the hydraulics.

It is the process of liquid expansion as it becomes warm.

It is the liquid that must be drained off to meet legal carry limit.

It is loss of power to the headlights.

33 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to an application pressure gauge:

it shows how much air pressure you are applying to the brakes

it is connected to the generator

it prevents the brakes from failing

when accelerating it releases air

34 / 40

A shipment described on the Hazardous Waste Manifest may only be delivered to another _______ carrier or treatment facility, who then signs the ______, giving you a copy which you must keep.

registered, uniform hazardous waste manifest

responsible, papers

licensed, manifest

trucking, uniform hazardous waste manifest

35 / 40

You should_____to uncouple the converter dolly.

chock the wheels, disconnect the safety chains, and then lower the landing gear

chock the wheels, lower the landing gear, and disconnect the safey chains

lower the landing gear, disconnect the safety chain, and chock the wheels

disconnect the safey chains, lower the landing gear, and chock the wheels

36 / 40

What is incorrect concerning disruptive passengers?

Don't discharge such riders where it would be unsafe for them.

You must remove the disruptive passenger immediately for the safety of the others.

You must ensure the disurptive rider's safety as well as that of others.

It may be safer to wait and discharge the disruptive passenger at the next scheduled stop or a well-lighted area where there are other people.

37 / 40

The air leakage rate for a combination vehicle should not exceed ____psi a minute.

38 / 40

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

A deduction of 15 points.

None of the answers listed.

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

An automatic failure of the vehicle inspection test.

39 / 40

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

unloading or loading

driving down a hill

stopping and starting

driving up a hill

40 / 40

You should___to reduce the air leakage rate.

release the service brake as the engine is running

leave the engine running while charging the air system

monitor the air pressure gauge as you press on the brake pedal

release the service brake after turning off the engine

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (1 vote)

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CDL Practice Test

How To Get A south dakota Commercial Drivers License

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

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

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

(REV 2015) Medical Self-Certification Statement
(Form MCSA-5876) Medical Examiner’s Certificate (This document must be completed by an FMCSA-approved physician.)

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 Dakota. Applicants can be disqualified for having multiple licenses.

South Dakota 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 dakota CDL License Test Tips

All South Dakota CDL applicants must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. This test consists of 50 questions. To pass the South Dakota test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require additional endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The South Dakota 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 a South Dakota resident with a valid state driver’s license.
Be currently enlisted in the military.
Operate a commercial vehicle as part of their military duties for at least 2 years prior to submitting the CDL application. If applicants are in the military reserves or a veteran of the reserves, the vehicle operation requirement is 4 years.
Have been honorably discharged from the military within the past 12 months.
Submit (Form CDL-SK TST WVR) Application for Military Skills Test Waiver. The commanding officer must sign this document.

Additional Information

Information on the South Dakota Department of Public Safety

The South Dakota Division of Public Safety administers CDL license requirements in South Dakota. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://dps.sd.gov/driver-licensing/commercial-drivers-license

Phone: 605.773.6883

Additional South Dakota CDL Helpful Links

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

south dakota CDL Practice Test