South Dakota CDL — General Knowledge practice
South Dakota CDL — General Knowledge: Right-of-Way practice test
Who goes first at intersections, four-way stops, roundabouts, and crosswalks, and how to yield to pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
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12 sample Right-of-Way 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. How does South Dakota classify a violation of its law on approaching stopped emergency vehicles and vehicles with warning lights?
Correct answer: A Class 2 misdemeanor
A plain violation of SDCL 32-31-6.1 is a Class 2 misdemeanor. The manual says the penalty can be a fine, time in county jail, or both.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Attention notice, South Dakota Codified Law 32-31-6.1
2. When you merge, what does the manual tell you to use your mirrors to confirm?
Correct answer: That the gap in traffic is big enough for you to enter safely
Merges are one of the special situations that call for more than a routine mirror check. The mirrors are used to make sure the opening in traffic is large enough to enter safely.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.4.2, Seeing to the Sides and Rear
3. In South Dakota, you approach a stopped authorized emergency vehicle that is using red visual signals. What does state law require?
Correct answer: Stop completely before reaching it, then proceed with caution when safe
Red visual signals on a stopped authorized emergency vehicle call for a complete stop before reaching it. Unless otherwise directed, the driver may then proceed with caution after making sure it is safe.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Attention notice, South Dakota Codified Law 32-31-6.1
4. Some drivers try to help by signaling to others when it is safe to pass. What does the manual say about doing this?
Correct answer: Don't; you could cause an accident and be blamed for it
Under the heading 'Don't Direct Traffic,' the manual tells drivers not to signal others that it is safe to pass. Doing so could cause an accident for which you are blamed, at a cost of many thousands of dollars.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.5.1, Signal Your Intentions
5. Which vehicles does South Dakota's law on stopped emergency vehicles give as examples of emergency vehicles?
Correct answer: Ambulances, fire department vehicles, and law enforcement vehicles
The notice names ambulances, fire department vehicles, and law enforcement vehicles as examples, and says the term is not limited to them.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Attention notice, South Dakota Codified Law 32-31-6.1
6. A lowboy trailer gets hung up on a railroad crossing because it lacks undercarriage clearance. How do the CDL rules treat failing to negotiate a crossing for that reason?
Correct answer: As a railroad-highway grade crossing violation that can cost the driver the CDL
Not making it over a crossing for lack of undercarriage clearance is one of the six grade crossing offenses, and it applies to all drivers. A first violation means losing the CDL for at least 60 days.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 1.3.5, Railroad-highway Grade Crossing Violations
7. A driver beside you clearly wants to get ahead of your truck. What attitude does the manual recommend?
Correct answer: Let them in; think 'Be my guest'
Being a cautious and courteous driver means letting an eager driver go ahead. The manual says the 'Be my guest' response soon becomes habit and makes you less offended by what other drivers do.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.10.2, Don't Be an Aggressive Driver
8. The manual names places where conflicts between road users occur. Which of these is NOT one of them?
Correct answer: Rest areas where trucks park overnight
Conflicts are said to occur at intersections, at merges, and where lane changes are needed, such as where a lane ends. Slow or stalled traffic in a lane and accident scenes are listed too, but rest areas are not.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.8.3, Drivers Who Are Hazards
9. A driver violates South Dakota's stopped-emergency-vehicle law and, in doing so, crashes into the stopped vehicle. What is the offense?
Correct answer: A Class 1 misdemeanor
Under SDCL 32-31-6.2, a person who causes an accident while violating 32-31-6.1 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. That applies when the crash is with a stopped emergency vehicle using red signals or any stopped vehicle using amber, yellow, or blue warning lights.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Attention notice, South Dakota Codified Law 32-31-6.2
10. On a South Dakota interstate you approach a stopped vehicle that is using amber warning lights on your side of the highway. What must you do?
Correct answer: Merge to the lane farthest from it at least 300 feet before it
On interstates and highways with two or more lanes in your direction, the law has you merge into the lane farthest from the stopped vehicle no later than 300 feet before it. You then proceed with caution unless directed otherwise.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Attention notice, South Dakota Codified Law 32-31-6.1
11. When making a left turn in a large vehicle, what point should you reach before you begin the turn, and why?
Correct answer: The center of the intersection, because turning too soon can swing your left side into another vehicle
The manual says a left turn should not begin until the vehicle is at the middle of the intersection. Turn too soon and off-tracking can carry the left side of the vehicle into another one.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.7.6, Space for Turns
12. A fire truck is stopped on a South Dakota road with its red signals on, and you are approaching from the opposite direction. Does the stop requirement apply to you?
Correct answer: Yes; it applies to motorists approaching from any direction
South Dakota's law is written for all motorists, whatever direction they come from, who approach an emergency vehicle displaying red visual signals. Each must stop before reaching it.
Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual — Attention notice, South Dakota Codified Law 32-31-6.1
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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