Licensing, Demerits & Penalties — South Dakota
South Dakota CDL practice test: 460 free practice questions (Based on the official driver handbook). The official format is not yet verified; check the official site before your test. Licensing, Demerits & Penalties: 8 questions.
Graduated licensing conditions, demerit points, suspensions, insurance and fines.
This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines.
| Topic / Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Topic | Licensing, Demerits & Penalties |
| License test | South Dakota CDL permit (CLP) knowledge tests |
| Topic questions | 8 (2% of 460 total) |
| Review status | This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines. |
Official handbook
Not yet verified
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Questions (8)
1. During a basic vehicle controls skills test exercise, your vehicle's final position should be:
- In the general area that was described by the examiner.
- In the exact final position described by the examiner. ✓
- Within three feet of the final position described by the examiner.
Answer: B. In the exact final position described by the examiner.
Your vehicle's final position should be exactly the final position described by the examiner. Your vehicle's final position should be exactly the final position described by the examiner. The handbook says you must finish each exercise exactly as instructed, and final position is scored on the straight-line backing and reverse offset backing exercises. It also warns that failing to maneuver the vehicle into the final position described by the examiner leads to a penalty and failure of the Basic Control Skills test. The handbook tells you to ask for clarification if you do not understand the instructions, so there is no need to guess at the target.
2. During the basic control skills test, you will receive points if you:
- Pull up once.
- Check your positioning.
- Cross over exercise boundaries. ✓
Answer: C. Cross over exercise boundaries.
You will receive points if you cross over exercise boundaries. The handbook says you are scored for touching or crossing an exercise boundary line or cone, and each encroachment counts as an error. It also says you can receive points for changing direction to improve your position and for your final position. Pulling up and checking your position are handled differently: initial pull-ups are not penalized, and checking position is treated as a look with limited free looks. Crossing a boundary is the choice that directly matches a scoring item.
3. The suspension system:
- Holds up the vehicle and its load. ✓
- Keeps the load the proper distance behind the driver’s compartment.
- Maintains a safe distance between the vehicle and other vehicles.
- Lightens the load for the tires.
Answer: A. Holds up the vehicle and its load.
The suspension system holds up the vehicle and its load, and it keeps the axles in place. The handbook's inspection section on suspension defects states plainly that the suspension system holds up the vehicle and its load and keeps the axles in place. That is why broken suspension parts are described as extremely dangerous, and why you check for things like spring hangers that let the axle move out of position. The other choices describe cargo spacing, following distance, and tire load, none of which the handbook attributes to the suspension.
4. When taking a driving test:
- You must supply the same type of vehicle for which you will require a CDL. ✓
- You may supply any type of vehicle, even if it is not the type of vehicle for which you will be using with the CDL.
- The testing station will supply the vehicle.
Answer: A. You must supply the same type of vehicle for which you will require a CDL.
You must supply the same type of vehicle for which you will require a CDL. The handbook says the CDL skills test includes a vehicle inspection, basic control, and on-road driving, and that you must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed. It also says you will inspect your vehicle. So the vehicle you bring to the test has to match the CDL class you are applying for.
5. When asked to make a lane change during the driving test, you should:
- Make the change as soon as the examiner asks, without looking.
- Use your turn signal and change lanes when safe. ✓
- Make the lane change as quickly as possible, even if that means cutting off another driver.
Answer: B. Use your turn signal and change lanes when safe.
You should use your turn signal and change lanes when it is safe, after making the necessary traffic checks. The handbook's on-road driving section says that during lane-change portions of the test you will be asked to move left and then back right. It tells you to make the necessary traffic checks first, then use proper signals and change lanes smoothly when it is safe. The driving-safely section adds that lane changes are a special situation and that you check mirrors before changing lanes to make sure there is room. That supports signaling and waiting for a safe gap rather than moving immediately or rushing.
6. When taking the driving test and asked to make a turn, you should:
- Not use a turn signal since you were told to make the turn.
- Check traffic only to your right.
- Check traffic in all directions. ✓
Answer: C. Check traffic in all directions.
When the examiner asks you to make a turn, check traffic in all directions. The handbook's intersection instructions say that when you have been asked to make a turn, you check traffic in all directions, and it repeats that instruction as you approach the intersection. The same section also tells you to use your turn signals and to get into the lane the turn needs, so the turn is not a moment to relax just because someone told you where to go.
7. When taking the on-road driving test, you must do all of the following, except:
- Wear your safety belt.
- Obey all traffic signs.
- Complete the test without an accident.
- Demonstrate that you can use your cell phone while driving. ✓
Answer: D. Demonstrate that you can use your cell phone while driving.
8. When taking the on-road driving test, you will be evaluated on your lane usage. Which of the following is an example of poor lane usage?
- Not driving over curbs or sidewalks
- Stopping behind crosswalks
- Driving in the leftmost lane if more than one driving lane is available ✓
- Finishing a right turn in the rightmost lane
Answer: C. Driving in the leftmost lane if more than one driving lane is available
Driving in the leftmost lane when more than one driving lane is available is an example of poor lane usage. The lane usage section of the on-road driving test lists what the examiner is watching for. It says you should move to or stay in the right-most lane unless that lane is blocked. Staying out in the leftmost lane when other driving lanes are open goes against that instruction, so it counts against you as poor lane usage. The same section treats the other habits listed, such as staying off curbs and sidewalks and stopping behind crosswalks, as things you should do.
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Last checked: 2026-10-17 · Verified from official source
Updated: · Based on the official driver handbook