Checked against official South Dakota sources on Oct 8, 2026
South Dakota CDL practice test
Every state needs at least 80% on each CDL written test, and South Dakota follows the same federal rule. Below are the fees, ages and rules we checked against the official South Dakota source, and a free practice test.
FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. Practice questions are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual, not actual test questions.
South Dakota CDL facts
| What | What South Dakota says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Size rule for CDL classes | Class A is a combination with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more when the vehicle being towed has a GVWR over 10,000 pounds. Class B is a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or such a vehicle towing a vehicle of 10,000 pounds GVWR or less. Class C is a smaller vehicle that is designed to carry 16 or more people including the driver, or that is used to carry hazardous materials in quantities that need placards. | Official page |
| CDL fee | The CDL fee is $43. Each endorsement costs $20. | Official page |
| CDL renewal fee | A CDL renewal costs $43. A CDL renewal with a hazmat endorsement costs $63. | Official page |
| CLP fee | A commercial instruction permit (CLP) costs $43. | Official page |
| Duplicate CDL fee | A duplicate or replacement CDL costs $20. | Official page |
| Application and endorsement test fees | The application fee is $43, plus $20 for each endorsement knowledge test. | Official page |
| Skills test fee at third party testers | Third party testers charge $150 plus tax for the driving skills test. Skills tests are not given at South Dakota Driver Licensing locations. | Official page |
| Minimum ages | DPS says every CDL applicant must be 18 or older. The state handbook says you must be 21 to get a CDL for interstate driving and that people 18 to 20 may get a CDL for intrastate driving only. A hazmat endorsement requires age 21. | Official page |
| CLP validity and age | The state handbook says a South Dakota commercial learner's permit (CLP) is issued for one year. An interstate CLP needs age 21 and a passed vision and written exam. People 18 to 20 may get a CLP for intrastate driving only. | Official page |
| CLP supervision | A CLP holder must always ride with another driver who is at least 21, sits next to them, and holds a license for the same commercial class. | Official page |
| Waiting periods | You must drive on your CLP for 14 days before taking the driving skills test. The skills test must be scheduled at least two business days in advance. | Official page |
| Order of steps | DPS lists the steps as: complete the application, bring the required documents, pay the application fee and any endorsement test fees, pass all required knowledge tests, get a CLP, then pass the driving skills tests. You need a qualifying South Dakota driver license to start. | Official page |
| Knowledge tests | The state handbook lists these knowledge tests: general knowledge (everyone), passenger, air brakes, combination vehicles, hazardous materials, tank, doubles and triples, and school bus. | Official page |
| Skills test parts | The skills test has three parts: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving. You take them in the type of vehicle you want to be licensed for. | Official page |
| CLP skills tests expire with the permit | Skill tests are only valid during the time your CLP is valid. | Official page |
| Endorsement and restriction codes | South Dakota endorsements are T (doubles and triples), P (passengers), N (tank), H (hazmat), X (tank and hazmat) and S (school bus). Restriction K means intrastate only, E means automatic transmission only, and W means seasonal CDL. | Official page |
| Documents for a CDL | DPS says you need a completed application with an original signature (no electronic or stamped signatures) and other required documents such as proof of identity and proof of residence. The state handbook lists proof of Social Security number, a certified birth certificate or valid passport, two documents proving residency, and surrender of your current driver license. | Official page |
| Hazmat endorsement | A hazmat endorsement needs age 21 and a threat assessment at an authorized enrollment center. The state handbook adds proof of citizenship or immigration status and a TSA security clearance before the CDL is issued, and says renewing a hazmat endorsement means passing the hazmat knowledge test again. | Official page |
| Entry-level driver training | Federal entry-level driver training has been required since February 7, 2022 for first-time Class A or Class B applicants, Class B to Class A upgrades, and first-time school bus, passenger or hazmat endorsements. DPS says there are no state-specific CDL training requirements. | Official page |
| Medical self-certification | All CDL drivers must complete a medical self-certification statement. Depending on the category chosen, some drivers also need a medical examiner certificate, for example drivers who drive interstate or drive a school bus only in South Dakota. Certificates must come from an examiner on the National Registry, and the examiner submits them to DPS electronically. | Official page |
| Medical certificate renewal | A new medical certificate must be received before the current one expires, generally every two years. If DPS has no current certificate on file for a CDL driver, the CDL is downgraded to a non-commercial license. | Official page |
| Intrastate medical rule change | South Dakota changed its medical certificate rules effective July 1, 2026, so CDL holders with a K restriction who self-certified as excepted intrastate must update their medical status with Driver Licensing. DPS extended the deadline to August 29, 2026, and says no downgrades or penalties for missing medical certificates will happen before January 1, 2027. | Official page |
| Transfer from another state | DPS says no testing is required to transfer a valid CDL from another state unless you are applying for a hazmat endorsement. The state handbook says to apply within 30 days of becoming a resident and surrender the old CDL. | Official page |
| Military skills waiver | DPS offers a Military CDL Waiver Application. The state handbook says service members who are licensed, have driven a commercial vehicle for two years, and held a military job requiring such driving within the past year may apply for a waiver of the CDL knowledge and skills tests. | Official page |
Fees and rules change. Confirm on the official South Dakota CDL page before you go. Read the official South Dakota CDL manual.
CDL test formats
We show the national defaults for question counts and time limits. Check the official South Dakota manual for anything that differs.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 50 | 40 (80%) | About 60 minutes |
| Air Brakes | 25 | 20 (80%) | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Combination Vehicles | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Hazardous Materials | 30 | 24 (80%) | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Tanker | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Passenger | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| School Bus | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | About 25 minutes |
| Doubles/Triples | 20 | 16 (80%) | About 20 minutes |
Practice any of them: all CDL practice tests.