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.
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
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 |
|
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 |
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
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
work, possibly saving you a lot of money. The South Dakota CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .