South Dakota CDL Practice Test

Correct answer: Intrastate commerce only — within South Dakota

South Dakota may issue a CDL to an applicant 18 to 20 years old, but only for intrastate commerce (driving within the state). You must be at least 21 to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.

Correct answer: One year

A South Dakota CLP is issued for a one-year period for behind-the-wheel training on public roads. It lets you practice before taking the CDL skills test.

Correct answer: Next to you — in the seat beside the driver

A CLP holder must always be accompanied by another driver who is at least 21 years old, licensed for the same commercial classification, and seated next to the driver.

Correct answer: 14 days

There is a 14-day waiting period between the date the CLP is issued and the date the skills test can be completed. This is the federal minimum South Dakota applies.

Correct answer: 2 days

In addition to the 14-day CLP hold, South Dakota requires a 2-day waiting period between the date the skills test is scheduled and the date it may be taken.

Correct answer: The General Knowledge test

The general knowledge test is taken by all CDL applicants. Additional tests (air brakes, combination, passenger, hazmat, tanker, doubles/triples, school bus) depend on the class and endorsements you need.

Correct answer: 10,000 pounds

Class A covers any combination of vehicles with a GCWR over 26,000 lb where the vehicle being towed has a GVWR exceeding 10,000 lb. If the towed unit is 10,000 lb or less, it falls under Class B.

Correct answer: 16 or more, including the driver

Class C is a single vehicle or combination that does not meet the Class A or B weight thresholds but either must be placarded for hazardous materials or is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.

Correct answer: X

The X endorsement combines Tank (N) and Hazardous Materials (H) — it authorizes hauling hazardous materials in a tank vehicle. N alone is tank vehicles; H alone is hazardous materials.

Correct answer: A Covered Farm Vehicle operated within the allowed restrictions

South Dakota exempts a Covered Farm Vehicle (CFV) operated within its restrictions, along with military vehicles used for military purposes, emergency firefighting equipment, and recreational vehicles used for personal or family purposes.

Correct answer: Engine sounds

With either the rpm or road-speed method, you can also learn to use engine sounds to judge when to shift, though the gauges remain the reliable reference.

Correct answer: A low gear — usually lower than the gear needed to climb the same hill

Downshift before starting down a hill to a speed you can control without using the brakes hard — usually a lower gear than you would use to climb the same hill. Otherwise the brakes can overheat and fade.

Correct answer: It lets you use some power through the curve for stability and speed up as you exit

Slow down and downshift to the right gear before entering a curve. This lets you apply some power through the curve to keep the vehicle stable, and speed up as soon as you are out of it.

Correct answer: Riding the brakes can overheat them and cause them to lose braking power

If you rely on the brakes down a long grade they can overheat and lose their braking power. Downshifting lets engine braking help control your speed and saves the brakes.

Correct answer: Select a low range so the transmission does not shift up beyond that gear

Select a low range to get greater engine braking going down grades; the lower ranges keep the transmission from shifting up beyond the chosen gear (unless governor rpm is exceeded). Using this braking effect is very important on grades.

Correct answer: They help slow the vehicle and reduce brake wear

Retarders help slow the vehicle, reducing how much you need the brakes and cutting brake wear. The four basic types are exhaust, engine, hydraulic, and electric retarders.

Correct answer: On poor traction, the retarder can cause the drive wheels to skid

When the drive wheels have poor traction, applying the retarder may cause them to skid. Therefore you should turn the retarder off when the road is wet, icy, or snowy.

Correct answer: Steer around the obstacle — you can usually turn to miss it faster than you can stop

Stopping is not always the safest thing to do. When you do not have room to stop, you can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop. (Top-heavy vehicles and multi-trailer rigs, however, may flip if turned sharply.)

Correct answer: Both hands on the wheel — the best way to have them there in an emergency is to keep them there all the time

To turn quickly you must have a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands. The best way to have both hands on the wheel if an emergency happens is to keep them there all the time.

Correct answer: No — braking while turning can lock your wheels and cause a skid

Do not apply the brake while you are turning. It is very easy to lock your wheels while turning; if that happens you may skid out of control. Turn only as much as needed to clear the obstacle.