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

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

True

True but only in ideal conditions

True but only in rainy conditions

False

2 / 40

Select which is not an engine compartement belt:

A safety belt

An air compressor belt

A power steering belt

A water pump belt

3 / 40

You should decrease to a safe speed before entering a curve and then_____through it.

accelerate

ride the brakes

shift down 2 gears

pump the brakes

4 / 40

The two main things to look ahead for while driving are _____.

traffic and road conditions

fire and flooding

truck stops and police

bridges and tunnels

5 / 40

What is the service air line controlled by?

the relay vavle by sending air pressure from the trailer air tank to the trailer brake chambers

the pressure applied to the trailer hand brake or by the foot brake

all answers listed

the relay valve that connects the trailer air tanks to the trailer air brakes

6 / 40

What do yo need to do before supplying air to the air tanks of the second trailer?

close the shut off valves at the back of the first and second trailer

open the shut off valves at the back of the second trailer and close the shut off valves at the back of the first trailer

close the shut off valves at the back of the second trailer and open the shut off valves at the back of the first trailer

open the shut off valves at the back of the first and second trailer

7 / 40

Why are you required to take an exam about air brakes?

you would have to get a CDL with a restriction otherwise

it is a federal requirement

all trucks have air brakes

you cannot receive a CDL at all otherwise

8 / 40

The two other places where the hazardous identification number must appear are:

On a temporary license plate holder and the steering wheel.

On the back of the truck and inside the glove compartment.

Any bulk packaging and the cargo tanks.

On the gas tank and a sticker in the glove compartment.

9 / 40

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG):

Contains an index of hazardous material id numbers, which is why you must label things correctly.

Is studied by emergency personnel to help keep the public safe.

All of these answers are correct.

Was created by the national department of transportation, so it is used nationwide.

10 / 40

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

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

have the unruly students move to the front of the bus

yell loudly for the students to sit down and behave themselves

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

11 / 40

When backing your vehicle, which of the following is NOT recommended

back as slow as possible

use the lowest reverse gear

back and turn towards the driver's side

back towards the right side

12 / 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

13 / 40

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

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

The baffles create odd rocking motions.

The low center of gravity of the load.

The high center of gravity of the load.

14 / 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 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.

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.

15 / 40

Air tanks should be drained:

all of these answers are correct

at the end of each shift or day

manually when the automatic devices fail

to prevent sludge from clogginng up the brake system valves

16 / 40

In column 1, the "D" symbol means:

Domestic transportation

Domestic restrictions

Devices

Detonators

17 / 40

While completing the 3rd component of the air brake check of a combination vehicle, at what psi should the tracor protection valve and parking brake valve should pop out?

70 psi

They should never pop out

40 psi

20 psi

18 / 40

Which of the following is a key steering component?

gear box

bearing plate

torque rod

leaf spring

19 / 40

A hazard class that uses transport indexes to determine the amount that can be loaded in a single vehicle is _____.

Class 6 poisons

Class 3 flammable liquids

Class 7 radioactive materials

Class 1 explosives

20 / 40

Air brake systems should not lose air faster than____when testing for air leakage rates in combination vehicles before applying the brake pedal.

3 psi a minute

2 psi a minute

5 psi a minute

6 psi a minute

21 / 40

What is the main difference between a portable tank and a cargo tank?

Cargo tanks are filled while on the vehicle, portable tanks are filled while off the vehicle.

Cargo tanks are permanently attached, portable tanks are temporarily attached.

Portable tanks must additionally show the owner or lessee's name on them.

All of these answers are correct.

22 / 40

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

Driving in the mountains.

Driving with bad tires.

Driving too fast.

Driving on a wet surface.

23 / 40

How often should you check the cargo you are transporting?

every 150 miles or every three hours

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

all of these answers are correct

after every break you take during driving

24 / 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.

25 / 40

When using turn signals, which of the following should be avoided?

signal before you exit

signal when you are merging into traffic

signal when you want to change lanes

signal just before you start to make a turn

26 / 40

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

zero

1/4 to 1/2 of an inch

1 to 2 inches

it is dependent on the load you are carrying

27 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE:

Do not tow or push a disabled bus with riders aboard either vehicle, unless getting off the bus would be unsafe.

Avoid fueling your bus with riders on board unless absolutely necessary. never refuel in a closed building with riders on board.

Do not transport intoxicated passengers.

Do not talk with riders or engage in any other distracting activity while driving.

28 / 40

To prevent a roll over a driver can 1) keep the cargo as low to the ground as possible and 2) _____.

drive while intoxicated

have the brakes properly adjusted

take turns slowly

have the fifth wheel's free play as tight as possible

29 / 40

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

The driver

The carrier

Your spouse

The shipper

30 / 40

Students exit the bus and walk:

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

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

Across the street.

The distance it takes to clear the danger zone.

31 / 40

Which contains more alcohol: a 12-ounce glass of 5% beer, a 5-ounce glass of 12% wine or a 1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor?

5-ounce glass of 12% wine

1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor

12-ounce glass of 5% beer

they all contain the same amount of alcohol

32 / 40

When driving tank vehicles you should:

Maintain the posted speed limit as you enter the curve.

Come to a stop before entering a curve and then accelerate through it.

None of the answers listed.

Decrease your speed before entering a curve and then accelerate through it.

33 / 40

Select the true statement about emergency steering and tankers:

It is easier to counter steer than other vehicles.

Do not apply the brakes when making quick movements of the steering wheel.

Have a firm grip on the steering wheel before making quick movements of the steering wheel.

None of the answers listed.

34 / 40

What does the amount of liquid you can carry depend on?

The vehicle's horsepower rating.

The outage of the liquid.

The center of gravity.

The material the baffles are made from.

35 / 40

Bus drivers must have a CDL if they drive a vehicle:

That has a gross weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds.

Designed to seat more than 16 or more persons, including the driver.

That has air brakes.

That is designed to carry more than nine passengers.

36 / 40

What does the drain valve for air tanks remove?

oil and water

air and oil

oil and dirt

water and air

37 / 40

To test the tractor-trailer connection for security, you should:

drive forward in a low gear with the trailer brakes locked and then look at it carefully

drive forward in a high gear with the trailer brakes on and check it

drive forward with a sharp jerk

rock the trailer side to side with the trailer brakes on

38 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to empty trucks:

none of the answers listed

they are easier to stop because there isn't cargo shifting in the trailer

they require a shorter stopping distance than a fully loaded trailer

they may have poor traction due to bouncing and wheel lockup

39 / 40

Select how you can tell if your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system:

the vehicle is manufactured after 2001

the vehicle is manufactured after 1998

the vehicle is manufactured after 2005

the vehicle is manufactured after 1990

40 / 40

You should have the fifth wheel plate greased as recommened because:

it will prevent steering problems

it will reduce noise and heat

it will ensure a good air line connection

it will ensure a good electrical connection

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