South Dakota Driver Knowledge Tests
Every South Dakota course, the agency that gives the test, and the shape of each test.
- Licensing Agency
- South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing
- Learner's Permit Test
- 25 questions, 20 correct to pass, scored as one total — 6 signs and signals; 19 rules of the road.
- Motorcycle Test
- 25 questions, 20 correct to pass.
- CDL General Knowledge
- 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Learner's Permit
The rules of the road plus South Dakota's own licensing rules, permit conditions and penalties.
476 questions25 questions, 20 correct to pass, scored as one total — 6 signs and signals; 19 rules of the road.
Motorcycle
The motorcycle knowledge test for South Dakota: gear, controls, curves, traffic, hazards, passengers, and alcohol.
130 questions25 questions, 20 correct to pass.
CDL General Knowledge
The commercial license general knowledge test: the federal rules for commercial driving that every CDL program follows, in every state and DC.
282 questions50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
CDL Hazardous Materials (H)
The CDL Hazardous Materials (H) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
180 questions30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
CDL Air Brakes
The CDL Air Brakes knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
64 questions25 questions, 20 correct to pass.
CDL Passenger (P)
The CDL Passenger (P) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
60 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
CDL School Bus (S)
The CDL School Bus (S) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
49 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
CDL Tank Vehicle (N)
The CDL Tank Vehicle (N) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
50 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
CDL Doubles/Triples (T)
The CDL Doubles/Triples (T) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
45 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
South Dakota Permit Test Facts
| Test | Questions | Passing Score | Who Gives It | Agency Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learner's Permit | 25. These numbers are widely reported; South Dakota does not publish them.25. DetailsThese numbers are widely reported; South Dakota does not publish them. | 20 correct. These numbers are widely reported; South Dakota does not publish them.20 correct. DetailsThese numbers are widely reported; South Dakota does not publish them. | South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing | South Dakota DPS |
| Motorcycle | 25. The question count is widely reported; South Dakota does not publish it.25. DetailsThe question count is widely reported; South Dakota does not publish it. | 20 correct. South Dakota requires 80% to pass.20 correct. DetailsSouth Dakota requires 80% to pass. | South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing | South Dakota DPS |
| CDL General Knowledge | 50. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.50. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 40 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).40 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing | South Dakota DPS |
| CDL Hazardous Materials (H) | 30. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.30. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 24 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).24 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing | South Dakota DPS |
| CDL Air Brakes | 25. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.25. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 20 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).20 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing | South Dakota DPS |
| CDL Passenger (P) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing | South Dakota DPS |
| CDL School Bus (S) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing | South Dakota DPS |
| CDL Tank Vehicle (N) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing | South Dakota DPS |
| CDL Doubles/Triples (T) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing | South Dakota DPS |
Permit Tests in Other States
ALAlabama Permit TestAKAlaska Permit TestAZArizona Permit TestARArkansas Permit TestCACalifornia Permit TestCOColorado Permit TestCTConnecticut Permit TestDEDelaware Permit TestDCDistrict of Columbia Permit TestFLFlorida Permit TestGAGeorgia Permit TestHIHawaii Permit TestIDIdaho Permit TestILIllinois Permit TestINIndiana Permit TestIAIowa Permit TestKSKansas Permit TestKYKentucky Permit TestLALouisiana Permit TestMEMaine Permit TestMDMaryland Permit TestMAMassachusetts Permit TestMIMichigan Permit TestMNMinnesota Permit TestMSMississippi Permit TestMOMissouri Permit TestMTMontana Permit TestNENebraska Permit TestNVNevada Permit TestNHNew Hampshire Permit TestNJNew Jersey Permit TestNMNew Mexico Permit TestNYNew York Permit TestNCNorth Carolina Permit TestNDNorth Dakota Permit TestOHOhio Permit TestOKOklahoma Permit TestOROregon Permit TestPAPennsylvania Permit TestRIRhode Island Permit TestSCSouth Carolina Permit TestTNTennessee Permit TestTXTexas Permit TestUTUtah Permit TestVTVermont Permit TestVAVirginia Permit TestWAWashington Permit TestWVWest Virginia Permit TestWIWisconsin Permit TestWYWyoming Permit Test
Questions
Common Questions
Who gives the driver knowledge test in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing. Check its website for fees, documents and whether you need an appointment.
How many questions are on the South Dakota permit test?
25. These numbers are widely reported; South Dakota does not publish them.
What is the passing score on the South Dakota permit test?
20 correct. These numbers are widely reported; South Dakota does not publish them.
Does South Dakota have a motorcycle knowledge test?
Yes. South Dakota's motorcycle knowledge test: 25 questions, 20 to pass. South Dakota requires 80% to pass. The question count is widely reported; South Dakota does not publish it.
Which CDL tests can I practice for South Dakota?
CDL General Knowledge and the CDL Hazardous Materials (H), CDL Air Brakes, CDL Passenger (P), CDL School Bus (S), CDL Tank Vehicle (N), CDL Doubles/Triples (T). The CDL tests are federal, so the questions are the same in every state and DC.