SCHOOL BUS PRACTICE TEST SOUTH DAKOTA

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The school bus endorsement applies to applicants who wish to drive a school bus in any Class A or B CDL. To add an S endorsement to your CLP/CDL, you must pass the South Dakota school bus test, and you must also pass skills tests in a school bus. The SD CDL bus test consists of 20 questions, and you'll need at least 16 correct answers to pass (80%). The knowledge test covers the following sections of the South Dakota CDL Manual: School Buses, Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Control Skills Test and Road Test. After studying, take this SD CDL practice test to prepare for the actual bus test!
1. Carry-on baggage:
should not be left in the aisle.
must be left in the aisle.
may be left in the aisle.
None of the above.
2. The driver MUST evacuate the bus when:
there is an imminent danger of an accident.
there is a threat of a fire.
the position of the bus may change and increase the danger.
All of the above.
3. After starting the engine, the ABS light stays on. This means:
the ABS is not working properly.
the ABS is working properly.
the ABS is in Neutral.
the ABS oil level is not adequate.
4. School bus drivers should tell students to exit the bus and walk at least ______ from the side of the bus.
5 feet away
10 feet away
25 feet away
8 feet away
5. If you are driving a school bus, the 4-way emergency flashers should:
never be used.
be used only when a train is approaching.
be activated after crossing railroad tracks.
be activated before crossing railroad tracks.
6. When you need to brake, you should warn the drivers behind:
by making gestures.
by turning on the 4-way emergency flashers.
by changing lanes.
by flashing your brake lights.
7. When checking the bus seats, make sure that:
they have not been damaged.
they are safe for riders.
they are securely fastened to the bus.
All of the above.
8. The standee line:
is used at bus stops.
tells the school bus driver where to steer.
is part of the braking system.
shows riders where they cannot stand.
9. Air tank drains:
are used to move air to the brakes.
protect the tanks and the rest of the system from too much pressure.
should not be used in wet weather.
are used to remove water and oil from the air tanks.
10. What should you do if you miss a student's unloading stop?
Do not back up, and follow the local procedure.
Turn on the right turn signal and try to stop to unload the student.
Back up whenever possible.
None of the above.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

You can obtain an instruction permit when you are at least 14 years old. If you are under 18, you can apply for a restricted permit after holding the permit for 275 days (or 180 days if you have completed a driver education course). To obtain a full operator’s license, you must be at least 16 years old and have held a restricted permit for at least 6 months.

To take your permit test in South Dakota, you can simply visit any South Dakota driver license exam station. However, scheduling an appointment online or calling 605-773-6883 can help minimize wait times. If you've completed an approved driver education course within the past year and can provide a certificate as proof, you may waive the DMV test.

Make sure you have these documents:
  • Proof of date of birth, identity, and lawful status in the US (Birth certificate, U.S. passport…). If your legal name differs, provide proof with a marriage certificate or a court order.
  • Proof of Social Security number.
  • Two proofs of residential address (such as utility or phone bill, mortgage document, or bank statement). If you are minor, a parent/guardian could provide these for you.
  • Completed License Application Form. For minors, a parent/guardian must sign the parent/guardian consent section in front of a driver examiner or in front of a notary public.


The DMV written test in South Dakota is offered in both English and Spanish. It is advisable to have a basic understanding of English since you will find road signs always in English when driving.

The DMV written test covers various topics, such as road signs, parallel parking, turning, passing a vehicle, yielding the right of way, etc. Studying the official South Dakota Driver’s Handbook is the first step to pass the exam because it contains all of this information. Once you've read it, you can take our free practice tests to test your preparation.

For new drivers in South Dakota, specific restrictions apply depending on the type of permit held.

With an instruction permit:
  • You must have an adult with a driver's license for at least one year, seated beside you.
  • The use of any wireless communication device while driving is prohibited.

With a restricted minor’s permit:
  • You may drive between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. with the authorization of a parent or legal guardian.
  • Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., you can drive only with a parent or legal guardian seated beside you or you can drive alone only for school/church events or work activities.
  • For the first 6 months, you cannot transport any passengers except siblings. After this period, you may only have one passenger who is not a family member.
  • The use of any wireless communication device while driving is prohibited.

The South Dakota instruction permit is valid for five years or until the expiration date of the documents authorizing your presence in the United States. Use this time to fulfill the necessary requirements before taking the road test.
In case you don't pass your DMV written test, you'll need to wait until the next working day before trying again. You have up to three attempts within a six-month period. However, if you fail three times within six months, you must pay a new fee to retake the exam.

SD CDL School Bus Test

Number of questions: 20
Correct answers to pass:16
Passing score:80%
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