Knowledge Test Class A #2
Class A Driving Test | South Dakota 2025 #2 Page 2 of 7
Train for FREE online with our South Dakota class A license 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 SD CDL class A permit in 2025, 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 CDL class A requirements may vary from state to state.
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8 . When inspecting engine compartment belts during the vehicle inspection test:
The applicant must identify which items are not belt-driven, if any.
When checking the engine compartment during the vehicle inspection test, you must check the power steering, water pump, alternator, and air compressor belts. In addition to cracks and frays, you should check the belts for snugness, allowing up to three-quarters of an inch of play at the center of each belt. If any of these items are not belt-driven, you must identify them and ensure that their components are operating properly, are not damaged or leaking, and are mounted securely.
9 . Emergency equipment, such as fire extinguishers, are:
All commercial motor vehicles must carry appropriate emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers.
10 . Placards should be used:
Warning placards are required to be used any time a vehicle is carrying designated types and amounts of hazardous materials. A placarded vehicle must display placards on all four of its sides.
11 . Cargo on flatbed trailers should be:
Pushed to one side.
On flatbed trailers or trailers without sides, cargo must be tied down to keep it from shifting or falling in transit.
12 . When starting an engine, warning lights and buzzers should:
After starting a vehicle's engine, the warning lights and buzzers for oil, coolant, charging circuits, and the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) should go out right away.
13 . A cargo of hanging meat:
Is discouraged during the summer months.
An operator should drive with care when transporting a cargo of hanging meat. Such a load is unstable, both because it has a high center of gravity and because the swinging of the meat can affect the driver's handling of the vehicle.
14 . If a vehicle has a vehicle inspection report, the driver:
Should not conduct a pre-trip inspection and rely only on the report.
For the first step of a vehicle inspection, you should review the last inspection report on your vehicle, if there is one. The carrier should have repaired any problems noted on the report.
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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.
