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

The brake pushrod should not move more than____for manual slack adjusters.

1-2 inches while the brakes are set

movement is not allowed

checking is not required in vehicles built after 1994 as they have automatic slack adjusters

an inch when pulled by hand with the brakes released

2 / 40

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

use the trailer brakes only

drive at a speed of 5 mph below your safe speed

use the stab braking method

use countersteering practices

3 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

when there are broken valve stems

all of these answers are correct

if the tread depth on your front tires is less than 4/32 deep

when the tread separates

4 / 40

This object should not be worn dangerously thin where visible.

The brake chambers

The brake linings

All answers listed

The air system lines

5 / 40

Which of the following are possible causes of tire fires?

dual tires that touch and under-inflated tires

loose fuel connections or under-inflated tires

poor cargo ventilation or short circuits

improperly loaded cargo and dual tires that touch

6 / 40

Select the correct description for a bulkhead tank.

They are divided down into smaller tanks.

They are divided with holes to allow liquid to flow through controlling surge.

It is one large tank.

None of the answers listed.

7 / 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, closed

free, open

latched, open

8 / 40

Where should the safety catch for the fifth wheel locking lever be located for coupling to be complete?

above the locking lever

outside of the locking lever

below the locking lever

through the locking lever

9 / 40

What is most likely to occur when driving double and a set of trailer wheels goes into a skid?

the rig will continue straight ahead but will slide sideways

none of the answers listed

the trailer will jackknife

the tractor will continue moving in a straight line no matter how you turn the steering wheel

10 / 40

You should follow behind other vehicles ______when traveling under 40 mph.

as close as possible so other drivers won't cut in front of you

at a distance of 1 second for every 5 feet of your vehicle length

at a distance of 1 second for every 15 feet of your vehicle length

at a distance of 1 seconds for every 10 feet of your vehicle length

11 / 40

Which of the following statements about special danger of loading and unloading is true?

Students should be told to pick up any dropped objects as long as it is not under the bus.

Students should be told to remain seated while the bus is in motion.

Students should be told to leave any dropped objects and move to the point of safety out of danger and get the driver's attention to retrieve the object.

Students should be told not to use the handrails when exiting the bus due to the possibility of causing a clothing hang up.

12 / 40

Make sure that_____before you back under a trailer.

the air supply knob has been pulled out

the air brakes are in an off position

the trailer brakes have been locked

the air supply knob has been pushed it

13 / 40

The purpose for the emergency air line is:

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

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

14 / 40

Which of the following would NOT be part of a standard vehicle inspection?

bad brake drums or shoes

tire problems

seating defects

steering system defects

15 / 40

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

nothing will occur until you try to use the brakes

the emergency tractor brakes will activate

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

you will come to a complete stop

16 / 40

What handling effect will baffles have?

There will be less side to side surging.

There will be less of surging front to back.

There will be an increase in slow surge.

None of the answers listed.

17 / 40

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

Start the engine after getting in the cab.

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

Listen for any unsual noises after starting the engine.

Shift the gear to neutral.

18 / 40

The main reason you should pull the dolly out from under a trailer before disconnecting it from the trailer in front is:

to provide additional lateral stabilization to the front trailer

it is possible that the dolly tow bar could fly up making it difficult to re-couple

so the rear-trailer's air brake system will stay charged and keep the trailer wheels locked to prevent rolling

removing the dolly before uncoupling is not the correct procedure

19 / 40

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

above the locking lever

below the locking lever

threaded through the locking lever

sticking straight up

20 / 40

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

electric/air lines

mud flaps

air brake lines

lifts/door/ties

21 / 40

Which of the following statements about the bus interior is false?

Never drive with an open emergency exit door or window.

If there is a red emergency door light, it must work.

If you use your outside lights, you don't need to turn on red emergency door light.

The seats must be safe for riders all seats must be securely fastened to the bus.

22 / 40

If your bus has an emergency exit door, it must:

Have a red electric door light turned on at all times.

Be closed when operating the bus.

All of these answers are correct.

Not have any signs, stickers, or markings anywhere near it.

23 / 40

An "A/W" the first column of the hazardous materials table means:

There is no restrictions with this material if shipped by water only.

This material has no restrictions when shipped by air and/or water.

It is ok to ship this material by air only.

This material is only restricted when shipped by air and/or water.

24 / 40

What is most likely to occur when driving a tanker truck and the front wheels begin to skid?

Nothing will occur.

The surge will disconnect the tank from the truck.

No matter how you steer, you will continue in a straight line.

The tank will roll over.

25 / 40

Class A explosives must not be transported in a combination vehicle if the vehicle includes:

A placarded cargo tank.

A 200 inch wheelbase trailer.

Two or more trailers.

None of these answers are correct.

26 / 40

Which of the following parts do not get checked in the Bus Interior inspection:

Seat coverings.

Each hand-hold and railing.

Emergency exit handles.

Signaling devices, including the restroom emergency buzzer, if the bus has a restroom.

27 / 40

The best way to go into a curve is to decrease your speed going into the curve and then ____going through it.

slightly accelerate

shift down 2 gears

none of the answers listed

ride the brake

28 / 40

To transport cargo safely, which of these are you NOT responsible for?

inspecting the cargo

ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo

recognizing possible overloads

making sure that cargo is properly secured

29 / 40

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

tip

dull section

apex

shank

30 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

the heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

31 / 40

How often should air tanks be drained?

every 6 hours

once a day

every 4-5 days

every 7 days

32 / 40

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

a shaded area

a bridge

all of these answers are correct

wet-looking road

33 / 40

This should be cleaned and then adjusted properly while inside the cab.

The lug bolts

The headlights

The mirrors

The windshield

34 / 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 the tractor ahead gently with the trailer brakes locked down

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

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

35 / 40

When is it best to wear your seat belt?

Only when you will be driving over 35 mph.

Only if your bus holds more than 27 people.

Only if required by company policy.

Always.

36 / 40

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

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

In order to clear up blind spots around the bus.

In order to observe the danger zones 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.

37 / 40

When driving on a clear night with the vehicle lights on, your speed should be such that you can stop within _____.

the distance you can see ahead of you

2 times the length of your vehicle

the distance you will travel in 10 seconds time

the length of half a football field

38 / 40

If you work for an interstate carrier:

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

If there are no defects, no report is necessary.

Only fill out report for buses with defects.

None of these answers are correct.

39 / 40

How should the hand valve be used?

to test the trailer brakes

only when accompanied by the foot brake

only when the trailer is loaded to its maximum weight

only when accompanied by the service brakes

40 / 40

You should be in the proper gear before going down a hill because:

water may build up in the air tanks if you do not rely on the engine brake

it helps control your speed better

brakes may fail or fade from excessive heat due to relying on them too much and not using the engine brake effect

it builds up the air pressure in the air tanks

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