1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
All tests
/
 
 
 
 
 
Advertisement
Based on official South Dakota exam questions

SD CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test 2025

  • Perfect for first-time and renewal CDL/CLP applicants, and those adding endorsements.

To earn a South Dakota Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), you must first pass the state’s CDL General Knowledge Exam. Failing results in a minimum one-day waiting period and a fee to reschedule. Once passed, the CLP allows supervised commercial driving for up to 180 days, with one renewal available. After holding the CLP for at least 14 days, you’ll be eligible to take the South Dakota’s CDL skills exam, which includes the federally mandated Pre-Trip Inspection Test (49 CFR § 392.7 and 49 CFR § 396.13). The inspection test is one of three required parts to pass the South Dakota’s CDL skills exam, along with the basic control skills test and road test. Our South Dakota Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Tests help you ace all pre-trip inspection questions on the General Knowledge Test.

Failing any portion of the skills test requires a mandatory seven-day waiting period before retaking the failed section only. South Dakota allows three attempts within one year, after which you cannot retake the test until the one-year anniversary of your first testing attempt. At that one-year mark, you must reapply for a CLP and pay fees again. The South Dakota General Knowledge Exam and Pre-Trip Inspection Test evaluate your ability to inspect engine components, brakes, suspension, and lights, among other items. During the Pre-Trip Inspection Test, examiners must determine that you can properly ensure your vehicle is in safe operating condition. You must point to and explain each part’s function, why it must be checked, and its condition.

For both the South Dakota CDL General Knowledge Exam and the CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Test, you’ll need to be comfortable with the pre-trip vehicle check process. This process includes reviewing past inspections, inspecting the engine compartment, checking in-cab controls and gauges, verifying lights, conducting a full walk-around inspection, testing signal lights, and testing the brake system.

This 20 multiple-choice-question practice test is based on the most recent South Dakota CDL manual (South Dakota CDL Handbook 2025) and assesses your knowledge of pre-trip inspections. Our tests provide a detailed explanation after each response, helping you pass the General Knowledge test on your first attempt. To take the South Dakota CDL knowledge test, you’ll need a valid ID, proof of residency, completed application, and payment of the test fees.

Try out our other practice tests to prepare you for different parts of the General Knowledge Test.

6 min to complete
Available in EN and ES
SD commercial driver's license
Real exam-style pitfalls you’ll practice:
Common Traps
Distractors
Trick Wording
Double Negatives
This test is a Premium member exclusive. You'll get

All 650 exam-like questions specific to South Dakota

Interactive learning with AI personal tutor

Unique 360° Virtual Road Simulations

Get your money back if you don’t pass

Authored and curated by Steven Litvintchouk, M.S.

Chief Educational Researcher (ACES member)
Methodology & Editorial Policy
Last verified for accuracy: November 2025 (reviewed weekly)

What to expect on the actual SD permit test

20

questions

16

correct answers to pass

80%

passing score

We know what it takes to pass. And we’ve got the proof.

Driver’s Ed is - nobody wants to set foot inside the DMV. That’s why millions of learners trust us for simple, visual, effective prep.

An Official & Trusted Partner in Driver Education

We are an officially recognized FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training provider and a proud partner to over 2,500 libraries. We work with safety organizations like GHSA and the National Safety Council to help create safer roads for everyone.

A Smarter Way to Study

Challenge Bank™

Our trademarked system automatically saves questions you miss, creating personalized tests that target your weak spots until you’ve mastered the material.

AI-Powered Feedback

Get smarter as you study. Our new AI-powered feedback provides detailed, question-level insights to help you understand the why behind each answer.

Interactive Handbook

Go beyond the boring black-and-white manual. Our interactive handbook lets you read, listen with an MP3 audio version, or even chat with it to find the information you need, faster.

Ask AI Coach
Hi there! I'm Officer Frank