Free South Dakota CDL Practice Tests — Your Complete Study Guide
Pass your South Dakota CDL permit exam with 80%+ on the first try
What You Need to Study
General Knowledge
The foundation of your CDL exam. Covers traffic laws, safe driving techniques, vehicle inspection procedures, cargo handling, and federal regulations every commercial driver must understand.
Combination Vehicles
Essential for driving tractor-trailers. Covers coupling and uncoupling procedures, rollover prevention, inspecting combination vehicles, and safely maneuvering with attached trailers.
Air Brakes
Required for any vehicle equipped with air brakes. Covers how air brake systems work, dual air brake systems, inspecting air brakes, and using them safely in all conditions.
Endorsement Tests
HazMat
Required for transporting hazardous materials. Covers placarding, labeling, loading procedures, emergency response, and compliance with federal hazmat regulations.
Tanker
Required for driving tank vehicles used to transport liquids or gases in bulk. Covers safe loading, unloading, and driving techniques specific to tanker operations.
Doubles & Triples
Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Covers coupling and uncoupling multiple trailers, safe driving practices, and inspection procedures for multi-trailer rigs.
Passenger
Required for operating vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers. Covers passenger safety, loading, emergency exits, and pre-trip inspection requirements.
What Are You Preparing For?
Select one or more options so we can show you exactly which tests you need to take.
What You Need to Study
General Knowledge
16 sections · 800 questions
The foundation of your CDL exam. Covers traffic laws, safe driving techniques, vehicle inspection procedures, cargo handling, and federal regulations every commercial driver must understand.
Combination Vehicles
9 sections · 180 questions
Essential for driving tractor-trailers. Covers coupling and uncoupling procedures, rollover prevention, inspecting combination vehicles, and safely maneuvering with attached trailers.
Air Brakes
6 sections · 150 questions
Required for any vehicle equipped with air brakes. Covers how air brake systems work, dual air brake systems, inspecting air brakes, and using them safely in all conditions.
Endorsement Tests
Additional endorsements you may need depending on the type of vehicle or cargo you plan to operate.
HazMat
9 sections · 202 questions
Required for transporting hazardous materials. Covers placarding, labeling, loading procedures, emergency response, and compliance with federal hazmat regulations.
Tanker
6 sections · 133 questions
Required for driving tank vehicles used to transport liquids or gases in bulk. Covers safe loading, unloading, and driving techniques specific to tanker operations.
Doubles & Triples
7 sections · 144 questions
Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Covers coupling and uncoupling multiple trailers, safe driving practices, and inspection procedures for multi-trailer rigs.
Passenger
6 sections · 123 questions
Required for operating vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers. Covers passenger safety, loading, emergency exits, and pre-trip inspection requirements.
Your Path to a Commercial Driver's License
To get a CDL, you must first study for and pass the permit exam at the DMV. After you receive your permit, you can take commercial vehicle driving classes and complete the required training. The final step is passing the official driving exam to earn your CDL. Our practice tests help you prepare for the DMV permit exam with real-style questions, and we also provide extra study materials and helpful resources to guide you through the process.
To obtain a CDL in South Dakota, you must pass three written permit tests — General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles, and Air Brakes — at the South Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles. Similar to a regular driver's license permit exam, these are timed, multiple-choice tests based on the official South Dakota CDL handbook.
All of our practice material is built from the official South Dakota CDL handbook and federal resources, and curated by professionals with over 10 years of experience in the commercial transportation industry. Studying with practice tests that mirror the real exam format is one of the most effective ways to pass on your first try.
On this page you'll find free practice tests for all three sections. For the full question bank and additional study features, download the CDL Help app.
CDL Requirements in South Dakota
- To obtain a Commercial Driver License (CDL) in South Dakota, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old (intrastate-only CLP/CDL). Must be at least 21 years old for interstate commerce and Hazmat endorsement.
- Must have a physical residential address in South Dakota. Must provide two documents proving residential/physical address (less than one year old).
- U.S. citizens must provide state-certified birth certificate, valid U.S. Passport, or Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship. Non-citizens must provide Permanent Resident Card, Employment Authorization Card, or foreign passport with valid U.S. visa and Form I-94.
- Must complete Medical Self-Certification Statement declaring operation category (Non-Excepted Interstate, Excepted Interstate, Non-Excepted Intrastate, Excepted Intrastate). Non-excepted drivers must hold valid Medical Examiner's Certificate.
- Must hold a valid South Dakota Driver's License before applying for CLP. CLP valid for one year. Must hold CLP for at least 14 days before skills test.
- ELDT required for applicants who obtained CLP on or after February 7, 2022. Includes theory training (80% passing score required) and behind-the-wheel training through FMCSA-registered provider.
- Knowledge test: must pass with 80% or higher. Skills test: three components (pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, on-road driving) conducted at third-party testing site ($90 plus tax). Must schedule at least two business days in advance.
- CDL Classes: Class A (GCWR 26,001+ lbs, towed vehicle over 10,000 lbs), Class B (single vehicle GVWR 26,001+ lbs), Class C (under 26,001 lbs, 16+ passengers or hazmat placarding).
- Endorsements: H (Hazmat — TSA threat assessment/fingerprinting, $86.50 enrollment fee, must be 21+), N (Tank Vehicle), P (Passenger — skills test required), S (School Bus — knowledge + skills test), T (Doubles/Triples — Class A only), X (Hazmat + Tank combo).
- Fees: CDL $33; CDL Renewal $33; CDL Renewal with Hazmat $48; each endorsement $15; skills test $90 + tax.
- CDL validity: 5 years, expiring on holder's birthday. May be renewed as early as 180 days before expiration.
Official South Dakota CDL Handbook
The official South Dakota CDL Manual covers every topic tested on the state's CDL knowledge exam — but it reads like a dense reference manual, not a structured study guide. A more effective way to prepare is with our General Knowledge practice tests. Our free South Dakota CDL permit practice test mirrors the format and content of the official exam and is fully up to date as of February 2026. Each practice test features 20 questions covering essential topics such as vehicle inspection, safe driving techniques, air brakes, cargo securement, driving emergencies, hazardous conditions, and South Dakota-specific commercial driving regulations. Unlike the official test, every practice question comes with a helpful hint and a detailed explanation of the correct answer — so you actually learn from every question you answer.
- Complete CDL regulations and South Dakota-specific requirements
- Safe driving techniques, vehicle inspection, and cargo handling
- All endorsement categories and testing requirements
Non-Domiciled CDL Information
Important information about non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses in South Dakota.
Federal regulations on non-domiciled CDLs are changing rapidly. The information below reflects the latest known state actions.
South Dakota was one of six states (along with CA, CO, PA, TX, and WA) flagged by FMCSA during a nationwide audit for issuing non-domiciled CDLs inconsistent with federal regulations. South Dakota's specific violations included 3 instances of non-domiciled CDLs issued where the expiration date exceeded the holder's authorized period of U.S. work authorization, and 3 instances of CDLs issued to Canadian citizens (who are ineligible). On October 23, 2025, FMCSA sent South Dakota a letter of preliminary noncompliance, ordering immediate corrective action. South Dakota's Department of Public Safety stated: "We have corrected the six inconsistencies that were found and have temporarily stopped issuing non-domiciled CDLs until we can verify there were no other errors." Despite the November 13, 2025 court stay of the FMCSA interim final rule, South Dakota did not resume issuance: "Issuance of non-domiciled CDLs are still on hold as we work to ensure our processes are compliant with current FMCSA guidance." The FMCSA final rule published on February 13, 2026 (effective March 16, 2026) reaffirms restrictions on non-domiciled CDL eligibility. Contact SD DPS at (605) 773-6883 for current status.[FMCSA][FMCSA Final Rule]
English Language Proficiency (ELP)
Federal ELP enforcement applies to all CDL holders nationwide.
Federal ELP enforcement applies to all CDL holders nationwide. Here is how it is enforced in South Dakota.
South Dakota does not currently administer a separate state-level English Language Proficiency (ELP) test for CDL applicants. However, all South Dakota CDL holders are subject to federal ELP enforcement, which took effect on June 25, 2025. Under this enforcement, roadside inspectors conduct a two-step assessment: first, a conversational interview in English — no interpreters or translation tools are permitted — to evaluate whether the driver can communicate sufficiently in English; second, the driver must demonstrate the ability to read and interpret standard U.S. traffic signs. Drivers who fail either step of the assessment are placed out of service under CVSA guidelines. South Dakota CDL applicants should be prepared to demonstrate English proficiency during any roadside inspection or compliance review.