South Dakota CDL — General Knowledge practice
South Dakota CDL — General Knowledge: Penalties & Licensing practice test
The point system, license suspension, provisional-license rules, insurance requirements, and other licensing basics.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
16 questions · pass with 13 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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12 sample Penalties & Licensing questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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1. A South Dakota driver is convicted of a second out-of-service order violation within 10 years and was hauling placarded hazardous materials at the time. How long is the disqualification on the state's list?
Correct answer: 3 years
Two out-of-service violations in a 10-year period normally mean a 2-year disqualification. When the driver was transporting hazardous material that must be placarded, or driving a vehicle designed for 16 or more people, the period is 3 years.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — CDL Disqualifications, Violation of an Out-of-Service Order
2. For how long do passed South Dakota CDL knowledge tests, and the fees paid for them, stay valid?
Correct answer: 6 months
The Knowledge Tests section says every passed knowledge test and its fee remains valid for 6 months. After that the credit lapses.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — General Information, Knowledge Tests
3. When a revoked, suspended, or disqualified South Dakota driver becomes eligible to apply for a new license, what reinstatement fee does the law require?
Correct answer: Between $50 and $225, with application fees on top
The Reinstatement Fee section sets the fee anywhere from $50 to $225, and application fees are added to it. It also says tests may be required after a revocation, suspension, or disqualification.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — General Information, Reinstatement Fee
4. How long must you hold a South Dakota commercial learner's permit before you are allowed to take a skills test?
Correct answer: 14 days
South Dakota requires a CLP to be held for 14 days before any skills test. All three skills segments must then be passed on that same permit.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — General Information, Skills Tests
5. You fail a CDL knowledge test at a South Dakota exam station in the morning. When is the earliest you can try that test again?
Correct answer: The next business day, because a test is given only once per day
South Dakota gives a knowledge test only once per day. To retest, you have to come back to an exam station on the next business day.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — General Information, Knowledge Tests
6. A South Dakota driver receives a lifetime disqualification for a second major traffic violation. What does the manual say can happen later?
Correct answer: After 10 years, the driver may ask the Driver Licensing Program for reinstatement
Two or more major violations bring a lifetime disqualification, but the heading notes it may be reduced to 10 years. After that time, an application for reinstatement can be made to the Driver Licensing Program.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — CDL Disqualifications, Lifetime Disqualification
7. South Dakota will not issue a CDL to a person who is behind on child support by what amount?
Correct answer: $1,000 or more, though a 6-month temporary license may be possible
The manual's list of people who cannot get a South Dakota CDL includes anyone whose child support arrearages have reached $1,000 or more. It adds that a 6-month temporary license might still be available to such a person.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — General Information, Who cannot get a South Dakota Commercial Driver's License?
8. How does South Dakota set the expiration date of a CDL, and how early can the license be renewed?
Correct answer: It expires on the holder's birthday in the fifth year after issuance and can be renewed 180 days before that
A South Dakota CDL lasts until the birthday that falls in the fifth year after the license was issued. It becomes renewable 180 days ahead of expiration, with a separate rule for drivers who are turning 21.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — General Information, License Expiration
9. South Dakota finds that a driver falsified information on a CDL application, but there is no criminal conviction for it. What disqualification does the state's list give?
Correct answer: 60 days
The list sets a 1-year disqualification when there is a conviction under SDCL 32-12A-33, and a 60-day disqualification without a conviction under SDCL 32-12A-18.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — CDL Disqualifications, Serious Traffic Violations
10. South Dakota's CDL Disqualifications list gives what disqualification for a first conviction of violating an out-of-service order?
Correct answer: 180 days
Under the state's list, a first conviction for violating an out-of-service order brings a 180-day disqualification, citing SDCL 32-12A-52.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — CDL Disqualifications, Violation of an Out-of-Service Order
11. A South Dakota CDL holder is 20 years old. What does the manual say about when that license expires and when it can be renewed?
Correct answer: It expires 30 days after the 21st birthday, and the driver must wait until that birthday to renew
The 180-day early renewal does not apply to an applicant who is turning 21. That license expires 30 days after the 21st birthday, and the holder has to wait for the birthday before renewing.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — General Information, License Expiration
12. What may a third-party tester charge for a South Dakota commercial skills test?
Correct answer: $150.00 plus tax for each attempt
The Fees section allows third-party testers to bill $150.00 plus tax every time an applicant attempts the commercial skills test. It also notes that fees are subject to change.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — General Information, Fees
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Every South Dakota question is written from the official South Dakota driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free