South Dakota CDL — General Knowledge Practice Test 1

1.Before a winter trip the manual has you clear the hand holds, steps, and deck plates of snow and ice. Why?

To keep the vehicle under its weight limitTo reduce the danger of slippingTo improve fuel mileageTo keep the brake sensors working

2.A South Dakota driver receives a lifetime disqualification for a second major traffic violation. What does the manual say can happen later?

After 5 years, the driver may retake the knowledge and skills tests and be relicensedAfter 3 years, the disqualification ends automatically with no application neededAfter 10 years, the driver may ask the Driver Licensing Program for reinstatementNothing; in South Dakota a lifetime disqualification can never be reduced

3.You stop to help at an accident scene. Where should you park, and why?

As close as possible, to shield the injuredAway from it; emergency vehicles will need the area around itIn the traffic lane beside it, so that your truck blocks other trafficOn the opposite shoulder with your lights off

4.How does bracing differ from blocking when cargo is secured?

Bracing runs from the cargo's upper part to the floor or walls; blocking fits against its front, back, or sidesBracing is done with rope and straps; blocking is done only with chain and bindersBracing is used only on flatbed trailers; blocking is used only inside closed vansThere is no difference; the manual uses the two words interchangeably for the same wooden supports nailed to the deck

5.When you merge, what does the manual tell you to use your mirrors to confirm?

That the gap in traffic is big enough for you to enter safelyThat your trailer lights are workingThat the vehicle behind you is also merging into the same laneThat your speed matches the posted limit

6.A covered farm vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating above 26,001 pounds. Where may it use the CDL exemption?

In its home state, plus out-of-state trips no farther than 150 air miles from the farmAnywhere in the United States, the same as lighter covered farm vehiclesOnly inside a 150 air-mile radius of the farm or ranch, and never across any state lineOnly on county and township roads in the state where it is registered

7.A driver ahead keeps glancing back over one shoulder. What does the manual suggest that driver may be about to do?

Stop for a passengerSpeed upTurn on the hazard lightsChange lanes

8.At 55 mph on dry pavement, which part of total stopping distance is the longest, by the manual's figures?

Perception distance, at about 216 feetReaction distance, at about 142 feetBraking distance, at about 216 feetNone; the three parts are equal

9.A heavy vehicle's brakes, tires, springs, and shock absorbers are built to perform best under what condition?

With the vehicle emptyWith the vehicle fully loadedWith the vehicle half loadedWith the load placed behind the rear axle

10.According to the manual, how does tying state-issued CDL privileges to a driver's Clearinghouse status add a layer of safety?

It lets employers skip pre-employment drug testingIt replaces roadside inspections of driversIt shortens the return-to-duty processIt is harder to hide violations from employers