We are including the following links to information that is specific to South Dakota.
We try to include all available official links, however the State of South Dakota often
change their webpages and/or the addressing of those webpages. We constantly
update these links, but from time to time they are not available due to recent
changes. If you are having problems with any of these links, try typing "South Dakota Official Website" into your Google, Bing or Yahoo search engine and you
should be able to find your "starting point" on their website. You should be
able to find the Commercial Drivers License information by typing in "CDL" into
their internal search (if available) or by following the Drivers License Services
links within their website. This is a great source of South Dakota regulations,
forms, locations, contacts, etc.
For South Dakota CDL information regarding locations, procedures, handicap assistance, and other
issues CALL 1-800-952-3696
South Dakota CDL Fees
The fee for a South Dakota commercial driver license is $25.00. There is also a $10.00 fee for each endorsement to a
South Dakota commercial license. A third party tester may charge up to $90.00 for each attempt to successfully complete the
South Dakota commercial skills test.
Who must have a South Dakota Commercial Driver License?
You must have a South Dakota Commercial Driver License to operate any of the following Commercial Motor
Vehicles (CMV'S):
- A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds.
- A trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 or more pounds if the gross combination weight rating is 26,001 or more pounds.
- A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons (including the driver).
- Any size vehicle which requires hazardous materials placards or is carrying material listed as a select agent or
toxin in 42 CFR Part 172, Subpart F.
Who Does Not Need A South Dakota Commercial Driver License to Drive a
Commercial Vehicle?
- Operators serving in the United States military, operating commercial vehicles
in pursuit of military purposes.
- Operators of emergency firefighting equipment necessary to the preservation of life, property,
or the execution of emergency governmental functions performed under emergency
conditions when operated by members of a fire fighting agency.
- Operators of rental transporting equipment used as personal family use vehicles.
- Operators of recreation vehicles used as personal family recreational use vehicles.
- Operators involved in farm to market transportation movement s, at least 16 years of age
holding a valid operator's license, limited to those operators of a farm vehicle:
- Controlled and operated by a farmer,
- Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies
to or from a farm, and
- Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier,
- Used within 150 miles of a person's farm.
What is Considered a Passing Score?
You must have a score of 80% or better to pass each test.
Third Party Testing
The State has authorized persons, employers, training
facilities, departments, and other agencies to administer
the skills tests. The tests given by the third party ar
e the same as those, which would otherwise be given by
the State. For more information on Third Party Testing please contact:
State of South Dakota
Driver Licensing Program
(605) 773-6883 or 1-800-952-3696 or see a list of Third Party Testers on our website at:
http://dps.sd.gov
South Dakota Commercial Drivers Instruction Permit
A South Dakota commercial driver instruction permit may be issued to an individual
16 years of age who holds a valid Class 1 or Class 2 South Dakota operator’s license.
No South Dakota commercial driver’s instruction permit may be i issued for a period
exceeding six months. Only one renewal or reissue shall be granted within a two-year
period. The holder of a South Dakota commercial driver’s instruction permit may,
unless otherwise disqualified, drive a commercial motor vehicle only if accompanied
by the holder of a CDL, who is 21 years of age, has a valid license for the type
of vehicle driven, and occupies a seat beside the individual for the purpose of
giving instruction in driving the commercial motor vehicle.
South Dakota CDL Written
Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the
South Dakota Knowledge Tests that are required for
the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general
knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed
by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained
in the
FREE South Dakota CDL Handbook. Please read and study this
manual carefully.
- Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
- Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
- Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air
brakes vehicles..
- Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
- School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
- Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.
Classes of South Dakota CDL and Required Tests
| CDL Class |
Tests Required |
Possible Endorsements and Required Tests |
Class A
(Combination
vehicle endorsement required) |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Combination Endorsement Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
| Class B |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
| Class C |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam
Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one. |
|
South Dakota CDL Endorsements
| Exam |
Time Allowed (Minutes) |
# of Questions on Exam |
# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass |
| General Knowledge |
60 |
50 |
40 |
| Air Brakes |
25 |
25 |
20 |
| HazMat |
30 |
30 |
24 |
| Tank |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Passenger |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Doubles/Triples |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Combination Vehicles |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| School Bus |
20 |
20 |
16 |
|
WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS ARE ASKED ON THE CDL WRITTEN EXAMS?
|
A tiny sampling of questions from each of the written CDL exams follows . . .
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE EXAM (Required for ALL CDL's)
Steering tires must have a tread depth of at least . . .
A. 2/32 inch.
B. 3/32 inch.
C. 4/32 inch.
D. 5/32 inch.
When driving on wet roads, you should reduce your speed by . . .
A. half the distance from the vehicle in front of you.
B. 1/3.
C. 1/2.
D. 2/3.
You're performing your pre-trip inspection for your CDL test. Where should your ignition key be?
A. In the ignition.
B. In your pocket.
C. With your logbook.
D. In the cab.
TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS, (P) ENDORSEMENT
You must stop at least how far from a drawbridge, if there is no traffic light or attendant?
A. 10 feet.
B. 20 feet.
C. 50 feet.
D. 100 feet.
When stopping for railroad tracks, you must stop no closer than 15 feet before the nearest track.
A. True.
B. False.
AIR BRAKES ENDORSEMENT
The air leakage rate for a combination vehicle with the engine off and the brakes applied should be no more than . . .
A. 1 psi in 15 seconds.
B. 3 psi in one minute.
C. 4 psi in one minute.
D. allowed at lower altitudes.
You "put on the brakes" by . . .
A. pushing down on the brake pedal.
B. pushing down on the foot valve.
C. pushing down on the treadle valve.
D. all of the above.
COMBINATION VEHICLES (Req'd by ALL Class A's)
Every combination vehicle with air brakes has two air lines, the service line and the return line.
A. True.
B. False.
How much visible space should be between the upper and lower fifth wheel plates?
A. None.
B. At least 1/4 inch.
C. No more than 1/2 inch.
D. Approximately 1 inch.
DOUBLES AND TRIPLES, (T) ENDORSEMENT
Driving conditions are good. A 100 foot long combination vehicle traveling at 35 MPH would need how much safe following distance?
A. 8/10 of a minute.
B. 10 seconds.
C. 11 seconds.
D. Two vehicle lengths.
Triple trailers are legal in your State of Residence.
A. True.
B. False.
TANK VEHICLES, (N) ENDORSEMENT
Because liquids expand and contract under different temperatures . . .
A. you must be familiar with the difference between bulkheads and baffles.
B. you must know the outage requirements.
C. you must be prepared for possible surge.
D. you must have a HAZ MAT placard in place.
Bulkheads in a tank and baffles in a tank are the same.
A. True.
B. False.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, (H) ENDORSEMENT
The driver may keep hazardous materials shipping papers . . .
A. behind the left side HAZ MAT placard.
B. in a pouch on the drivers door or on the driver's seat when out of the vehicle.
C. with the shipper until acceptance at the destination.
D. in a secure place that is locked.
What is the minimum distance from a Class 3 (flammable liquids) or Division 2.1 (gases) placarded cargo tank that you may smoke or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe?
A. 10 meters.
B. 25 feet.
C. 100 feet
D. 300 feet.
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There is a total of 670 questions on the actual South Dakota CDL Course tests, which covers the entire POOL of questions used on the actual CDL examinations. Questions on your ACTUAL TESTS will come from this POOL of questions. Each "CLASS" of CDL and each "ENDORSEMENT" is covered in a separate section. You are required to take only those exams that apply to your driving requirements. The South Dakota CDL Course includes complete "self testing" practice tests and "self scoring" BLANK and CORRECT answer sheets.
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