South Dakota CDL — General Knowledge: Traffic Laws Practice Test

Question 1

A full-time traveler with no fixed home applies for a South Dakota license. What does the manual accept as proof of address?

Accepted Answer

An overnight-stay receipt from the past year and one piece of mail for a South Dakota personal mailbox — Full-time travelers are an address exception. They provide a receipt for an overnight stay in the state within the past year, along with one piece of mail confirming a South Dakota personal mailbox address.

Answer

Two handwritten letters mailed to the applicant at a South Dakota campground within the past year

Answer

A signed and notarized statement from a South Dakota resident who knows the applicant

Answer

An out-of-state utility bill together with a South Dakota vehicle title in the applicant's name

Question 2

Besides being at least 18, what must an applicant hold to get a South Dakota commercial learner's permit?

Accepted Answer

A Class 1 or Class 2 South Dakota operator's license that is valid — A CLP applicant must be 18 and already have a South Dakota operator's license, Class 1 or Class 2, that is valid. In the state's system Class 1 is car/truck and Class 2 is car/truck/motorcycle, while Class 3 covers motorcycles only.

Answer

A Class 3 South Dakota license that is valid

Answer

A driver license from any state that is valid, plus a medical certificate

Answer

A Seasonal CDL with the W restriction

Question 3

What does South Dakota's License Transfer section say about a commercial learner's permit issued by another state?

Accepted Answer

It does not transfer, so all knowledge testing must be done — A CDL holder who changes states has 30 days to apply in the new home state and must surrender the old CDL. Commercial learner permits are different: they do not transfer, and anyone applying for a CLP has to complete all of the knowledge testing.

Answer

It transfers once the old permit is surrendered

Answer

It transfers only if it is less than 180 days old

Answer

It can be exchanged for a South Dakota CDL without testing

Question 4

Which of these requires a South Dakota driver whose license was revoked or suspended to prove financial responsibility for the future?

Accepted Answer

Two reckless driving convictions within one year — Proof of future financial responsibility is required after a revocation or suspension that follows a judgment from an uninsured accident, or a conviction for no insurance, vehicular homicide, or DUI. Two reckless driving convictions inside a one-year period trigger it as well.

Answer

A single conviction for speeding 10 mph over the limit

Answer

Two parking violations within one year

Answer

One conviction for following too closely

Question 5

Where does the manual say a South Dakota vehicle's title and its registration certificate should each be kept?

Accepted Answer

The title somewhere safe outside the vehicle; the registration in the vehicle — The Certificate of Title, which is needed to sell or transfer a vehicle, belongs somewhere safe and not in the vehicle. The registration certificate is the document that must always ride along.

Answer

Both in the vehicle at all times, in case an officer or a buyer asks to see them

Answer

Both at home in a safe place, with copies carried in the vehicle

Answer

The title in the vehicle; the registration certificate at home

Question 6

South Dakota's farm-to-market exemption lets some drivers operate a farm vehicle without a CDL. Which driver fits it?

Accepted Answer

A 16-year-old with a valid operator's license hauling the farm's products within 150 miles of the farm — The exemption covers operators at least 16 years old who hold a valid operator's license and drive a farm vehicle controlled by a farmer, employee, or family member. The vehicle must stay within 150 miles of the farm and cannot be used by a common or contract motor carrier.

Answer

A 15-year-old with an instruction permit hauling grain within 50 miles of the farm

Answer

A licensed 16-year-old driving a farm truck for a contract motor carrier anywhere within South Dakota's borders

Answer

Any licensed adult hauling farm supplies within 300 miles of the farm

Question 7

An applicant has changed names twice since birth. What must be shown at a South Dakota driver exam station?

Accepted Answer

Documents for every name change from birth to the present — With more than one name change, the applicant has to document all of them, from birth up to now. The office must be able to follow how one name led to the next.

Answer

Only the most recent certified marriage certificate or court order

Answer

A notarized letter explaining the changes

Answer

Nothing, as long as the Social Security card shows the current name

Question 8

Which of these would South Dakota reject as one of the two documents proving an applicant's South Dakota address?

Accepted Answer

A handwritten piece of mail — Address documents must carry the applicant's name and physical address and be dated within the last year. The manual adds a note that no handwritten mail documents will be accepted.

Answer

A utility bill from four months ago showing the applicant's name and physical address

Answer

A bank statement from last month showing the applicant's name and physical address

Answer

A phone bill from eight months ago showing the applicant's name and physical address

Question 9

An applicant who is more comfortable in another language asks to bring an interpreter to the South Dakota CDL tests. What does the manual say?

Accepted Answer

Interpreters are prohibited for the knowledge tests and for the skills tests — The Knowledge Tests section bars an interpreter for the CDL knowledge tests. The Skills Tests section says every skills test must be conducted in English and bars an interpreter there too.

Answer

An interpreter is allowed for the knowledge tests but not the skills tests

Answer

An interpreter is allowed for the skills tests but not the knowledge tests

Answer

An interpreter is allowed for both if the state certifies the interpreter

Question 10

A South Dakota driver who must be medically certified brings a paper medical certificate to a driver license office. What happens?

Accepted Answer

It is refused; the medical examiner must send it to the National Registry — South Dakota driver license offices do not take paper medical certificates. The medical examiner must upload the certificate to the National Registry, and a driver whose certificate is missing there has to contact the medical provider to get it submitted.

Answer

The office scans it and adds it to the driving record

Answer

The office accepts it if it is an original with the examiner's signature

Answer

The office accepts it and mails a copy to the federal registry

Question 11

A South Dakota CLP holder may drive a CMV only when accompanied by a CDL holder. Which description of that person matches the manual?

Accepted Answer

At least 21, licensed for the vehicle type, and seated beside the learner or, in a passenger vehicle, directly behind — The accompanying CDL holder must be 21, hold a license valid for the type of vehicle being driven, and sit next to the learner to give instruction. In a passenger vehicle the seat directly behind the learner is allowed.

Answer

At least 18, licensed for any commercial vehicle, and seated anywhere in the vehicle that has a seat belt

Answer

At least 25, with five years of commercial experience, following close behind in a second vehicle

Answer

At least 21, holding any valid operator's license, and seated beside or directly behind the permit holder at all times

Question 12

How many questions are on South Dakota's CDL General Knowledge Test, and what score passes?

Accepted Answer

50 multiple-choice questions, with 80% or better to pass — Every applicant takes the General Knowledge Test, which has 50 multiple-choice questions. Each knowledge test requires a score of 80% or better.

Answer

25 multiple-choice questions, with 80% or better to pass

Answer

50 multiple-choice questions, with 70% or better to pass

Answer

30 multiple-choice questions, with 90% or better to pass

South Dakota CDL — General Knowledge: Traffic Laws practice test

Study questions with answers

1. A full-time traveler with no fixed home applies for a South Dakota license. What does the manual accept as proof of address?

2. Besides being at least 18, what must an applicant hold to get a South Dakota commercial learner's permit?

3. What does South Dakota's License Transfer section say about a commercial learner's permit issued by another state?

4. Which of these requires a South Dakota driver whose license was revoked or suspended to prove financial responsibility for the future?

5. Where does the manual say a South Dakota vehicle's title and its registration certificate should each be kept?

6. South Dakota's farm-to-market exemption lets some drivers operate a farm vehicle without a CDL. Which driver fits it?

7. An applicant has changed names twice since birth. What must be shown at a South Dakota driver exam station?

8. Which of these would South Dakota reject as one of the two documents proving an applicant's South Dakota address?

9. An applicant who is more comfortable in another language asks to bring an interpreter to the South Dakota CDL tests. What does the manual say?

10. A South Dakota driver who must be medically certified brings a paper medical certificate to a driver license office. What happens?

11. A South Dakota CLP holder may drive a CMV only when accompanied by a CDL holder. Which description of that person matches the manual?

12. How many questions are on South Dakota's CDL General Knowledge Test, and what score passes?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

Practice Traffic Laws in another state