Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerSouth Dakota CDL Prep
South Dakota CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your South Dakota commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the South Dakota CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in South Dakota
In South Dakota, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet South Dakota age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official South Dakota CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the South Dakota Department of Public Safety and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in South Dakota. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the South Dakota Department of Public Safety issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the South Dakota Department of Public Safety testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerSouth Dakota CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every South Dakota CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in South Dakota.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in South Dakota?
Yes for first-time Class A or B applicants, Class B to A upgrades, and first-time passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsements (effective February 7, 2022). Finish ELDT with an FMCSA-registered provider before skills testing or the hazmat knowledge test. South Dakota does not add state-specific training requirements beyond federal ELDT.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in South Dakota?
Yes for most non-excepted drivers. Self-certify on the Medical Self-Certification Statement and have a National Registry examiner upload your Medical Examiner's Certificate electronically. Without a valid medical certificate you are limited to intrastate-only driving. Drivers with a K-restriction who self-certified as Excepted Intrastate (EA) must update medical certification by August 29, 2026; downgrades for missing certificates resume January 1, 2027.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in South Dakota?
Bring a completed Driver License and ID Card Application with an original handwritten signature, proof of identity and age (certified birth certificate or passport), Social Security number, two proofs of South Dakota residency, and medical self-certification (plus MEC if required). First-time CDL applicants and non-U.S. citizens must use a state Driver Licensing location. English and Spanish application forms are available.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in South Dakota?
Yes. Complete hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test for a first-time endorsement, pass the hazmat exam, and finish a TSA security threat assessment. Out-of-state CDL transfers who want to keep hazmat must retest and complete the background check. A valid out-of-state CDL transfer otherwise generally does not require skills testing.
How much do South Dakota CDL application and skills tests cost?
The CDL application fee is $43 plus $20 for each endorsement test. Skills tests are given by third-party testers and cost about $150 plus tax. Schedule at least two business days ahead and hold your CLP for 14 days first.
What is the South Dakota K-restriction medical deadline?
CDL holders with a K-restriction who previously self-certified as Excepted Intrastate (EA) must update medical certification with the Driver Licensing Program by August 29, 2026. DPS will not downgrade CDLs for missing medical certificates before January 1, 2027; standard compliance resumes that date.
Can military members waive the South Dakota CDL skills test?
Possibly. South Dakota offers a Military CDL Waiver Application for eligible service members who meet federal 49 CFR 383.77 conditions. Knowledge tests and other licensing requirements still apply.
Are there farm vehicle CDL exemptions in South Dakota?
Yes. Certain farm-to-market and Covered Farm Vehicle operations within 150 miles of the farm may be exempt from a full CDL when other criteria are met. South Dakota also has Farm CDL reciprocity with adjoining states including North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Wyoming within 150 miles of the farm.
Does PrepCDL cover South Dakota?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the South Dakota CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.