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South Dakota CDL General Knowledge Practice Questions - South Dakota Commercial Driver License General Knowledge Test Exam
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Question
1
of 25
QUESTION 1 / 25
In South Dakota, which agency issues commercial driver licenses?
Choose one answer below.
A
South Dakota Department of Public Safety Driver Licensing
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B
South Dakota Department of Revenue only
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C
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
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D
County register of deeds only
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QUESTION 2 / 25
What is a South Dakota commercial learner permit primarily used for?
Choose one answer below.
A
Behind-the-wheel CMV training before CDL skills testing
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B
Skipping all CDL knowledge tests
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C
Driving a CMV alone in interstate commerce
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D
Avoiding medical certification rules
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QUESTION 3 / 25
What is the only reliable cure for driver fatigue?
Choose one answer below.
A
Sleep or proper rest in a safe place
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B
Loud music
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C
Opening the window
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D
Eating a large meal
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QUESTION 4 / 25
Before starting across railroad tracks, what must a CMV driver be sure of?
Choose one answer below.
A
There is enough room to completely clear the tracks
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B
The vehicle can shift gears on the tracks
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C
Traffic behind is close enough to push the truck
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D
A train is visible before any caution is needed
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QUESTION 5 / 25
What is the first step in the seven-step pre-trip inspection method?
Choose one answer below.
A
Approach the vehicle and check its general condition
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B
Check under the hood
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C
Start the engine and inspect inside the cab
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D
Walk around and inspect the entire vehicle
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QUESTION 6 / 25
During a pre-trip inspection, what should you check in the engine compartment?
Choose one answer below.
A
Only the oil level
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B
Oil level, coolant level, power steering fluid, belts, and hoses
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C
Only the coolant level and belts
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D
Only items visible without opening any caps
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QUESTION 7 / 25
Which emergency equipment is required to be on a commercial motor vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
Fire extinguisher, spare fuses, and three red reflective triangles
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B
First aid kit, fire extinguisher, and flares only
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C
Fire extinguisher and road flares only
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D
Spare tire, jack, and reflective vest
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QUESTION 8 / 25
During a pre-trip inspection, the driver notices a coolant leak near the water pump. What should the driver do?
Choose one answer below.
A
Note it on the report and drive carefully to the next service stop
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B
Add more coolant and continue the trip
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C
Do not drive the vehicle until the leak is repaired
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D
Drive only short distances and monitor the temperature gauge
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QUESTION 9 / 25
What is the minimum tread depth required for steer axle tires on a commercial motor vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
2/32 of an inch
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B
4/32 of an inch
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C
6/32 of an inch
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D
1/32 of an inch
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QUESTION 10 / 25
What is the minimum tread depth required for tires on drive and trailer axle positions?
Choose one answer below.
A
4/32 of an inch
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B
2/32 of an inch
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C
6/32 of an inch
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D
1/32 of an inch
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QUESTION 11 / 25
During a tire inspection, you notice a bulge on the sidewall of one of the steer tires. What should you do?
Choose one answer below.
A
Continue driving but avoid high speeds
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B
Have the tire replaced before driving the vehicle
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C
Rotate the tire to a non-steer position
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D
Reduce air pressure to alleviate the bulge
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QUESTION 12 / 25
How should you adjust your mirrors on a commercial motor vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
So you can see only the road behind you
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B
So you can see just a small portion of the trailer body along with the road behind and to the sides
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C
So you can see only the trailer doors
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D
Mirrors only need adjustment when pulling a new trailer
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QUESTION 13 / 25
A vehicle with a high center of gravity is more likely to:
Choose one answer below.
A
Have better traction in wet conditions
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B
Roll over when taking curves or making lane changes
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C
Stop more quickly
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D
Be easier to steer
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QUESTION 14 / 25
When should a driver downshift?
Choose one answer below.
A
After the vehicle has already slowed down significantly
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B
Before starting down a hill, so the engine can help control speed
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C
Only when the engine stalls
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D
While the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light
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QUESTION 15 / 25
What is the most important safety rule when backing a commercial vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
Back quickly to minimize the time spent in the backing maneuver
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B
Use a spotter (helper) whenever possible and establish clear communication signals beforehand
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C
Only use mirrors; never look out the window
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D
Sound the horn continuously while backing
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QUESTION 16 / 25
What does GOAL stand for when backing a commercial vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
Go Over All Lanes
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B
Get Out And Look
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C
Gauge Obstacles And Length
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D
Guide Operations And Logistics
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QUESTION 17 / 25
A commercial vehicle is more difficult to maneuver when:
Choose one answer below.
A
It is lightly loaded
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B
It is empty
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C
It is fully loaded and has a high center of gravity
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D
It is on a wide, straight road
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QUESTION 18 / 25
When driving on a curve, a commercial vehicle should:
Choose one answer below.
A
Maintain the posted speed limit since it is safe for all vehicles
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B
Slow down to a safe speed before entering the curve and accelerate gently once past the midpoint
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C
Brake hard while in the curve to reduce speed
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D
Speed up entering the curve to maintain momentum
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QUESTION 19 / 25
The three components of total stopping distance are:
Choose one answer below.
A
Braking distance, tire distance, and road distance
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B
Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance
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C
Engine distance, transmission distance, and wheel distance
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D
Sight distance, warning distance, and braking distance
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QUESTION 20 / 25
When driving a commercial vehicle below 40 mph, what is the recommended following distance rule?
Choose one answer below.
A
1 second for every 5 feet of vehicle length
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B
1 second for every 10 feet of vehicle length
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C
2 seconds for every 10 feet of vehicle length
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D
3 seconds regardless of vehicle length
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QUESTION 21 / 25
What is the standard overhead clearance that most commercial drivers should assume for bridges and overpasses unless otherwise posted?
Choose one answer below.
A
12 feet
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B
13 feet 6 inches
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C
15 feet
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D
16 feet
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QUESTION 22 / 25
Which types of lights must be checked during a pre-trip inspection?
Choose one answer below.
A
Only headlights and tail lights
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B
Headlights (high and low beam), tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, four-way flashers, clearance/marker lights, and identification lights
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C
Only the lights that face forward
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D
Only brake lights and turn signals
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QUESTION 23 / 25
Clearance lights on a commercial motor vehicle serve what primary purpose?
Choose one answer below.
A
To illuminate the road directly in front of the vehicle
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B
To indicate the overall width and height of the vehicle to other drivers, especially at night
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C
To signal lane changes
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D
To provide lighting inside the cargo area
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QUESTION 24 / 25
How often should a driver check their mirrors while driving a commercial motor vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
Every 30 seconds
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B
Every 5 to 8 seconds
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C
Only when changing lanes
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D
Every 2 minutes
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QUESTION 25 / 25
What is the approximate visibility range provided by low-beam headlights at night?
Choose one answer below.
A
100 feet
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B
250 feet
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C
500 feet
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D
750 feet
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