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 would a drive-wheel skid result in a jackknife when pulling doubles?

when the trailer pushes the towed vehicle sideways

when the trailer slides to the right into the shoulder

when the tractor spins around

when the tractor brakes lock up

2 / 40

Which of the following hazard classes utilizes a transport index in order to determine how much of it can be loaded on a single vehicle for transport?

Class 4—live chickens

Class 3—flammable liquids

Class 1—explosives

Class 7—radioactive materials

3 / 40

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

listen for escaping air after opening the emergency shut off valve

pull the vehicle forward and then step on the brakes

watch the brake lights as you step on the brake pedal

while on an level surface, test the emergency brake lines

4 / 40

The average person requires how many hours of sleep per 24 hour period?

7 or 8

5 or 6

6 or 7

8 or 9

5 / 40

You should____to check the free play of manual slack adjusters on S-Cam brakes.

drain off air pressure before adjusting after parking on level ground

after parking on a slight grade, release the parking brake, activate the service brakes and check for vehicle movements

apply the parking brake after stopping on level ground

chock the wheels and release the parking brakes after parking on a level ground

6 / 40

How should the hand valve be used?

when the trailer is fully loaded down

only in emergency situations

only in conjuction with the foot brake

to test the trailer brakes

7 / 40

The purpose for the emergency air line is:

to supply air to the trailer air tanks and, on combination vehicles, controls the emergency brakes

supply air to the trailer air tanks and on combination vehicles, controls the service brakes

none of the answers listed

supply air to the tractor air tanks and on combination vehicles controls the emergency brakes

8 / 40

The shipping papers for hazardous materials can be found:

On the driver's seat when out of the vehicle.

In a pouch on the driver's door.

In clear view, within reach while driving.

Any of the above locations.

9 / 40

The best way to test if the spring brakes come on automatically is to:

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal until the parkng brake valve pops out on tractor-trailer vehicles

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal until the manufacturer's low psi specification has been met for the spring brakes to deploy

all of these answers are correct

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal until the parking valve pops out on single vehicles

10 / 40

What is a technical name?

The name for a hazardous material most commonly used in the trucking community, accepted as standard.

The medical term for hazardous materials used by medical personnel.

The name for a hazardous material used in scientific journals and texts, recognized as its chemical and microbiological name.

The name for a hazardous material most commonly used on the street.

11 / 40

You can be sure air is supplied to the second trailer by:

watch the air gauge for a drop of 30 psi

while driving at 10 mph apply the hand valve you should stop at the same in the same distance as a single trailer driving at 5 mph

you should get out and listen for air flowing through the lines

going to the rear of the second trailer and open the emergency line shut off

12 / 40

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

high

low

long

narrow

13 / 40

These tires should have a minimum tread depth of 4/32 inches.

Non-steering axle tires

Drive axle tires

Steering axle tires

Donut tires

14 / 40

What color and shape is the trailer air supply control?

it is a square knob that is red

it is a square knob that is yellow

it is a triangle-shaped knob that is red

it is an 8-sided knob that is red

15 / 40

Which seats not securely fastened to the bus are usually allowed?

Window seats.

None of these answers are correct.

Any of the last row seats.

The driver's seat only.

16 / 40

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

fuel tanks

coolant system

none of the answers listed

cb radio

17 / 40

Puddles or dripping fluids from the underside of the transmission and engine may indicate:

A leaking line or hose

Problems with the water pump

All of these answers are correct

A leak from the engine

18 / 40

Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way or divided highway?

50 feet, 100 feet, and 150 feet toward approaching traffic

20 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet toward approaching traffic

100 feet, 200 feet, and 300 feet toward approaching traffic

10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic

19 / 40

The best way to test the low air pressure warning signal is to:

manually release the air out of your brakes to see if the signal activates

apply pressure on and off the brakes while the engine is running

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal with the engine off to drop the air pressure to below 60 psi

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal until the air pressure drops below 20 psi

20 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

you can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop

stopping is not always the safest thing to do in an emergency

anti-lock braking systems (ABS) only activate when wheels are about to lock

if a tire blows, you should put the brakes on hard to stop quickly

21 / 40

When accelerating:

do not engage the clutch before you take your foot off the brake

speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking

always use the parking brake to slow down

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

22 / 40

How do you release the dolly brakes when coupling twin trailers?

by opening the shut off valve

by opening the air tank petcock

by flushing the brake line

by charging the air line

23 / 40

Where are shut-off valves located?

at the back of the trailer

at the front and back of the trailer

at the front of the trailer

either at the front or the back of the trailer

24 / 40

Where can you find a shipper’s certification?

On the original shipping paper.

It is a separate document that all hazmat drivers must keep in their vehicles.

On all packages.

There is no such thing.

25 / 40

When this item is missing or loose, movement may occur between the fifth wheel assembly and the frame.

Locking pins

Locking jaw

Tandem release arm

Lug nuts

26 / 40

If you must stop on the shoulder of the road, you should place warning devices at all of the following places except...

about 100 feet in front of your vehicle

on the other side of a divided highway

about 100 feet behind your vehicle

within 10 feet of the front or rear corners

27 / 40

Which of these statements about speed management and braking is true?

You need about four times as much stopping distance at 40 mph as at 20 mph.

The total stopping distance of a bus is the distance it takes to stop once the brakes are applied.

Stopping time increases by one second for each 10 mph over 20 mph.

The posted speed limit will always allow you to stop safely.

28 / 40

How many seats may be placed in the aisle if the bus is a charter and is carrying agricultural (farm) workers?

29 / 40

Signs of distracted drivers include:

individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit

drivers having conversations with passengers

individuals listening to music too loudly

vehicles exiting the roadway

30 / 40

How should you inspect a converter dolly?

as if it is an axle with a fifth wheel

as if it is an engine

as if it is cargo

as if it is a trailer

31 / 40

All standing riders must stay:

Behind the standee line.

Within two feet of an emergency exit.

In front of the standee line.

Forward of the rear of the driver's seat.

32 / 40

Select which is not an engine compartement belt:

A water pump belt

A safety belt

A power steering belt

An air compressor belt

33 / 40

A safe haven is:

A place to stay once you have reported your company for illegal activity.

A place where it is safe to dump any kind of hazardous materials.

The slang term for the last stop at the end of your driving day when carrying hazardous materials.

A place that has been approved to park unattended vehicles carrying explosives.

34 / 40

In what location must you keep your shipping papers which describe any hazardous materials?

In a locked glove compartment anytime you are outside of the vehicle.

In a fire-safe pouch under the passenger seat while you are driving.

On the driver's seat anytime you are outside of the vehicle.

In a fire-safe pouch under the driver's seat that you can reach while you are driving.

35 / 40

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

it prevents the brakes from failing

when accelerating it releases air

it is connected to the generator

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

36 / 40

When checking the wheelchair lift, the things you should look for are:

Leaking, damaged, or missing wheelchairs.

Stripped screw drive linkages and fluid drips.

Leaking, damaged, or missing parts and that the lift is fully retracted and latched.

Bent or dinged lift floor.

37 / 40

If you work for an interstate carrier:

If there are no defects, no report is necessary.

You must complete a written inspection report for each bus driven.

Only fill out report for buses with defects.

None of these answers are correct.

38 / 40

The pintle hook should be_____ and the converter dolly air tank drain valve is___when doing a walk around inspection of a triple or double trailer.

free, closed

latched, open

latched, closed

free, open

39 / 40

A driver that hauls hazardous materials must attend training every:

1 year

None of these answers are correct

3 years

2 years

40 / 40

Select the two reasons as to why special care is needed when driving a tank vehicle:

The danger of surge and the low center of gravity.

None of the answers listed.

The danger of surge and the high center of gravity.

The chance of rollover and of spontaneous combustion.

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