SD CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test 2025

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.