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

When conducting a pre-trip inspection, the most important item to verify is _____.

that there are no leaks in the air brake system

that the tire tread is sufficient for the expected driving conditions

that the radio transmits a signal

that the registration is in the cup holder

2 / 40

Which of the following types of cargo must never be carried on a bus with passengers?

Tear gas

Emergency drug shipments

Emergency hospital supplies

Small arms ammunition (orm-d)

3 / 40

Which of the following is NOT something you need to know in order to determine if you need to use placards?

The amount of all hazardous materials of all classes in your vehicle.

The amount of a substance or material being shipped.

The manufacturing date for the materials.

The substance or material's hazard class.

4 / 40

Liquid surge affects the handling of a tanker by:

Decreasing the wind drag.

Moving the truck in the direction of liquid flow.

Allowing you to take tighter turns.

Allowing you to stop faster.

5 / 40

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

Yes

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

Only in populated areas

6 / 40

What do you do first during step 3 of starting the engine and inspecting the inside of the cab?

Listen for any unsual noises after starting the engine.

Start the engine after getting in the cab.

Shift the gear to neutral.

Make sure the parking brake is activated after getting in the cab.

7 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

athe heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

8 / 40

When fueling a placarded vehicle, someone must always be:

Be at the rear most corner on the vehicle.

At the nozzle, controlling the fuel flow.

Within 10 feet of the pump with a fire extinguisher.

At the emergency power shut off for the pump.

9 / 40

Rods, connecting links, and arms from the steering box to the wheel are a part of the:

Steering linkage

Power steering fluid

Braking system

CB radio

10 / 40

You should check that the _____are secure, caps are on tight, and is not leaking.

fuel tanks

cb radio

coolant system

none of the answers listed

11 / 40

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable type of marking for hazardous materials?

Name in italics

Identification number

Un marks

Descriptive name in roman print

12 / 40

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

The chemtrec phone number.

The date of manufacture.

The un or na id number of the product.

The owner's puco or icc number.

13 / 40

To maintain alertness during the trip, drivers should:

avoid medications that cause drowsiness

schedule trips during the daytime hours

get 8-9 hours of sleep

all of these answers are correct

14 / 40

It has just reached freezing. Which of the following areas is slippery?

a bridge

all of these answers are correct

wet-looking road

a shaded area

15 / 40

How should you inspect a converter dolly?

as if it is cargo

as if it is a trailer

as if it is an axle with a fifth wheel

as if it is an engine

16 / 40

Which of the following are some suspension system defects?

leaking shock absorbers

all of these answers are correct

cracked or broken spring hangers

broken leaves in leaf spring

17 / 40

The most important hand signal you should agree on with a helper is:

“turn up the music”

“go”

“faster”

“stop”

18 / 40

The emergency air line is used to:

to alert emegency services when there is a problem

engage the trailer brakes when there is an air pressure loss

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

provide back up air pressure

19 / 40

What kind of surge occurs with baffles?

Circular

Side to side

Back to front

Bottom to top

20 / 40

Alcohol evaporators in some air brake systems help to:

it removes fuel from the air lines

cleans out oil from the air lines

decreases the risk of water in the air brake valves in cold weather

decrease the chances of ice in the air brake valves in cold weather

21 / 40

When you have a major leak in the service line and put on the brake, the service air pressure will escape and cause the:

the trailer emergency brakes to activate

the trailer tank pressure to decrease

the tractor spring brakes to activate

none of the ansers listed

22 / 40

It is very important that you never smoke around which hazard classes?

It is ok to smoke anywhere.

Explosives, flammable gas, oxidizers, flammable solids, flammable liquids.

Corrosive, radioactive, dangerous, slippery when wet, inhalation.

All hazard classes.

23 / 40

Check to ensure that____when inspecting the coupling.

the electrical cable is unplugged

there is minimal slack in the air lines

there is no slack at all in the air lines

the landing gear handle is free to hang down

24 / 40

Overhead inside mirror is used to:

see the blind spot immediately behind the bus

monitor traffic that approaches and enters the blind spot area

see all of the students

see the area where students exit the bus

25 / 40

Select the accurate statement in regards to rolling up the landing gear to complete the coupling process.

you should leave the landing gear at the half way mark to make the uncoupling process easier later

you should use a low gear until the tractor is supporting the trailer

you should use a high gear to make the process faster

you should grease the landing gear the increase the speed of the process

26 / 40

When backing, what is the best method to use to avoid blind spots?

use mirrors on both sides

use a helper

look at your path

back towards the driver's side, where you can see better

27 / 40

You may use DANGEROUS placards instead of separate placards for each Table 2 hazard class when:

Both of these conditions must be met.

You have not loaded 2,205 pounds or more of any table 2 hazard class material at any one place (you must use the specific placard for this material).

The correct answer is not listed.

You have 1,001 pounds or more of two or more table 2 hazard classes, requiring different placards.

28 / 40

Hazardous materials (that are not forbidden) carried on a bus must be:

Stored in the passenger compartment

Labeled

Carried in a metal box

All of these answers are correct

29 / 40

The compressor is connected to the engine via _____?

stag gears

r-belt

lines

v-belt or gears

30 / 40

Select the definition for outage:

It is loss of power to the headlights.

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

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

It is how much power is lost to the hydraulics.

31 / 40

Why is the proper adjustment and use of all mirrors so vital to the safe operation of the school bus?

In order to observe the danger zones around the bus.

In order to clear up blind spots around the bus.

In order to observe the danger zones around the bus and look for the students, traffic, and other objects in this area.

In order to see if small vehicles are driving in the bus blind spots.

32 / 40

Select which vehicles are required to have a low air pressure warning signal:

all vehicles built after 2005

all vehicles built after 2010

all operating vehicles with air brakes

they are optional

33 / 40

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate reason to flash your braking lights?

to warn vehicles approaching you from behind that you are driving slowly

to warn drivers behind you when you need to slow down

to alert drivers behind you that there are hazards ahead

to signal to tailgaters that they are too close to your vehicle

34 / 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

35 / 40

The best way to describe a dual air brake system is:

there is a primary and secondary system that is 2 separate air brake systems

all of these answers are correct

there are 2 separate air brake systems that supply air to the trailer if there is one

there are 2 separate air brake systems that have their own hoses, lines etc

36 / 40

The gauge that needs to come up to normal levels after starting the engine within a few seconds is _____.

air brake pressure

blood pressure

oil pressure

oil temperature

37 / 40

You should check your tires every ____ or every ____ when driving in very hot weather.

3 hours, 200 miles

5 hours, 250 miles

2 hours, 100 miles

1 hour, 50 miles

38 / 40

A driver of a tank vehicle should take curves, off ramps, and on ramps at a speed lower than the posted speed limit.

True but only in ideal conditions

False

True but only in rainy conditions

True

39 / 40

Which of the following three hazard classes should NOT be placed into a temperature-controlled trailer (one with a heater/air conditioner unit)?

Classes 1, 21, and 3

Classes 1, 3, and 6

Classes 1, 4, and 51

Classes 1, 3, and 4

40 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to the center of gravity for tanks:

The vehicle can turn over even when driving at the posted speed limit for curves.

The center of gravity is generally lower than with other large trucks.

The vehicle can handle higher speeds around curves than other large trucks.

None of the answers listed.

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (1 vote)

CDL Category Practice Tests

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

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A south dakota Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

south dakota CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the South Dakota Department of Public Safety

Additional South Dakota CDL Helpful Links

south dakota
CDL Practice Test