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FREE SD CDL INFO | DMV Locations | Fees Forms | FAQs | South Dakota CDL Requirements

Find official South Dakota CDL test requirements to get your SD CDL - FREE information - FAST and EFFICIENT.

Jump to official South Dakota CDL website information.

South Dakota CDL Info | SD CDL Requirements

South Dakota CDL Learner Permit Training Program
South Dakota CDL Practice
Test Prep
SD CDL  School Bus

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.

Go to South Dakota CDL Selector Tool
If you need help . . .
determining what Class of CDL you need based upon the type of vehicle you will drive (A, B or C) or are not sure which CDL Endorsements you need based upon the type of loads you will carry; use the free CDL Selector Tool . . .
South Dakota
Go to CDL Selector Tool
(Use only for a new CDL)
Not sure which SD CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.

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

H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam
T - Doubles/Triples Written Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam
L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus Written and Road Exam
Class B

General Knowledge Written Exam

Road Exam

H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam
L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus Written and 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.
H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam
L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus Written and Road Exam

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

Quickly access the most complete and accurate Official South Dakota CDL Information

South Dakota CDL Manual, CDL South Dakota Handbook
South Dakota CDL Requirements

Access Official Federal CDL General Information

Access Official Federal CDL Medical Requirements Info

Access Official Federal CDL Hazardous Materials Info

Click on the items above to find answers to your South Dakota CDL questions

  • What is a Commercial Drivers License (CDL)?
  • How to get a South Dakota CDL (Commercial Driver's License)
  • How old do you have to be to get a South Dakota CDL (Commercial Driver's License)
  • How to get a South Dakota CDL HazMat (Hazardous Materials Endorsement) Permit
  • What is the difference between Interstate and Intrastate?
  • How to get a free South Dakota CDL Study Guide
  • How to get a South Dakota School Bus CDL
  • How much does a South Dakota CDL cost?
  • Where is my nearest South Dakota DMV CDL office located?
  • Where can I find South Dakota CDL (commercial drivers license) forms?
  • What are the South Dakota CDL Medical Requirements?

. . . and answers to many more South Dakota CDL questions!

Are YOU ready to get YOUR South Dakota CDL?
Prepare for YOUR South Dakota CDL Tests NOW . . .

 South Dakota CDL License
In addition to the South Dakota CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the South Dakota CDL and in the free South Dakota CDL Handbook (which is quite boring and a bit confusing - and doesn't have a single multiple-choice question in it that is asked on the actual tests), the complete online South Dakota CDL Practice Test prep program will prepare you to easily pass your South Dakota CDL written exams to get your South Dakota CDL permit. The skills test modules are invaluable to give you a head start before doing your behind the wheel work, possibly saving you a lot of money. The South Dakota CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .
  • Covers ALL Eight South Dakota CDL written tests.
    • In separate study modules - you won't need all of them - don't waste time on what you don't require.
  • Covers ALL Three South Dakota CDL skills tests.
    • In separate study modules - you won't need all of them - don't waste time on what you don't require.
  • 670 practice South Dakota CDL test questions with actual answers.
  • Access to CDL videos covering written and skills tests.
  • CDL study guide in both text and audio - listen as you read along.
  • CDL study Quick Reviews.
  • Interactive online CDL Quizzes.
  • and much more!
May your new CAREER be prosperous!!!

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Michael Hamilton
Director
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