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Bus Driver Testing | South Dakota 2025 #2 Page 2 of 3
Train for FREE online with our SD bus CDL test. The official exam test consists of several obligatory parts, with all of them checking your knowledge of different blocks of road rules. If you need to obtain a license in South Dakota in 2025, learn how to become a bus driver and then practice as much as possible. Free sample tests published on our website will help you check and improve your knowledge and boost your grades. Please bear in mind that DMV requirements for a bus driver may vary from state to state.
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8 . When should you inspect the mirrors on a bus?
Is not necessary to inspect the mirrors.
The mirrors of a bus should always be inspected before a trip. Adjust them as necessary before beginning to drive.
9 . As students exit a school bus, the driver should watch to ensure that they:
It is possible for students to be injured, or even killed, as a result of their clothing, accessories, or bodies getting caught on a handrail or door while exiting a school bus. The driver should closely watch students as they exit to ensure that they have all unloaded the bus successfully and have reached a safe location.
10 . When checking the springs during a vehicle inspection, do all of the following, except:
Glue cracked leaf springs.
When checking the springs as part of the vehicle inspection test, you should look for missing, shifted, cracked, or broken leaf springs, as well as broken or distorted coil springs. If the vehicle is equipped with torsion bars, torque arms, or other types of suspension components, ensure that they are not damaged and are mounted securely.
11 . Crossover mirrors help the driver see:
Crossover mirrors are used to help a driver see the danger zone area directly in front of a school bus. The mirrors should also display the danger zone areas to the left and right sides of the bus, including the area from the front of the bus to the service door.
12 . Before evacuating a bus in response to a hazard, a driver should:
If time permits, before deciding to evacuate a school bus, the driver should contact their dispatcher to explain the situation. The decision to evacuate must be a timely one.
13 . If you come to railroad tracks while driving a school bus, you should generally:
In general, school bus drivers should stop before any railroad crossings to check the tracks for approaching trains. Drivers should stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail in order to have the best view of the tracks. They should look and listen for approaching trains before proceeding through the crossing.
14 . Properly adjusted mirrors on a school bus allow the driver to see ____ behind the bus.
1,000 feet
Proper mirror adjustment is vital to the safe operation of a school bus. A bus's flat mirrors should be adjusted so the driver is able to see 200 feet, or four bus lengths, behind the bus.
2025 South Dakota | Frequently Asked Questions
A CDL Class A license in South Dakota is defined as a commercial driver's license that permits the holder to operate any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. It's typically used for semi-trucks and tractor-trailers.
In South Dakota, a Class A CDL license allows you to operate a range of commercial vehicles. These include tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, flatbeds, livestock carriers, and tank vehicles. It also allows the operation of all vehicles under Classes B and C, provided you have the appropriate endorsements.
To obtain a Class A CDL license in South Dakota, applicants must be at least 18 years old (21 for interstate driving), possess a valid South Dakota driver's license, pass a vision test, and successfully complete a knowledge test and skills test. They must also submit a Medical Examiner's Certificate and pass a background check if hauling hazardous materials.
In South Dakota, to qualify for a Class A CDL license, you must be at least 21 years old for interstate driving. However, if you plan to drive only within South Dakota (intrastate driving), you can apply for a Class A CDL license at 18 years old.
While a Class A CDL license in South Dakota allows you to operate a variety of vehicles, specific endorsements may be required for certain types. For example, a tanker endorsement is needed to haul liquid loads, a hazmat endorsement is required for transporting hazardous materials, and a doubles/triples endorsement is necessary for towing double or triple trailers.
The Class A CDL skills test in South Dakota encompasses three parts: a pre-trip inspection to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive, a basic controls test to assess your ability to control the vehicle, and a road test to evaluate your on-road driving skills under various traffic conditions and maneuvers. It's important to pass all three parts.
Yes, there are limitations. Class A CDL license holders in South Dakota are restricted by the federal hours of service regulations, which limit driving time to prevent fatigue. Additionally, they must comply with weight limits and may need specific endorsements for certain types of vehicles or cargo. Also, CDL holders are held to stricter DUI standards compared to regular drivers.
Yes, it is possible. In South Dakota, the written Class A CDL test is available in multiple languages, including Spanish. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires all commercial drivers to read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records.
Yes, you can request accommodations for the Class A CDL written test if you have a disability. South Dakota's Department of Public Safety complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), providing reasonable accommodations such as accessible testing locations, additional time, or alternative test formats. However, you must provide appropriate documentation of your disability when making your request.
Yes, if you don't pass the Class A CDL written test in South Dakota, you can retake it. However, you must wait at least one day before retesting. There may be additional retest fees, and if you fail the test multiple times, additional restrictions or requirements may be imposed. Always review the manual and consider a prep course before retesting.