CDL state guide
South Dakota CDL Requirements ? Complete Guide (2026)
South Dakota CDL age rules, CLP timing, fees, and official source links were reviewed for this guide.
Use this South Dakota CDL guide to plan the Commercial Learner’s Permit, knowledge tests, skills test, fees, and official source checks before you visit South Dakota Driver Licensing.
Quick answer
South Dakota CDL requirements at a glance
Most South Dakota CDL applicants need a valid regular driver license, a DOT medical certification when required, passing CDL knowledge-test scores, a CLP held for at least 14 days, and a passing CDL skills test in the correct vehicle class.
South Dakota applicants should check testing availability outside major cities and plan the CLP period around weather and vehicle access.
At a glance
South Dakota CDL at a glance
| Minimum age | 18 for intrastate commercial driving; 21 for interstate driving, hazmat, and many passenger or cross-state jobs. |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge test | Plan for 50 questions with an 80% passing score unless South Dakota Driver Licensing lists a different current testing format. |
| CLP fee | South Dakota CLP/testing fees are handled by Driver Licensing transaction |
| CDL fee | Confirm CDL issue, renewal, endorsement, and duplicate totals with South Dakota Driver Licensing |
| CLP holding period | 14 days minimum before the CDL skills test. |
| CDL valid for | Usually 5 years |
| Issuing agency | South Dakota Driver Licensing |
Classes
CDL classes available in South Dakota
South Dakota follows the federal CDL class structure. Class A generally covers combination vehicles such as tractor-trailers. Class B covers heavy single vehicles such as straight trucks and many buses. Class C applies when the vehicle does not meet Class A or B weight thresholds but carries placarded hazardous materials or enough passengers to require a CDL.
Endorsements can still change what you must test for. Passenger, school bus, tanker, hazmat, air brakes, and combination-vehicle work may require extra knowledge tests or restrictions to be removed.
Process
How to get your CDL in South Dakota
- Confirm eligibility with South Dakota Driver Licensing and make sure your regular driver license is valid.
- Complete DOT medical certification if your CDL driving type requires it.
- Study the official CDL manual or South Dakota Driver Licensing testing guidance.
- Pass General Knowledge plus any class or endorsement tests needed for your CLP.
- Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before taking the skills test.
- Complete the skills test in a vehicle matching the CDL class and endorsement path you need.
Use South Dakota Driver Licensing instructions, complete medical certification, pass the knowledge exams, hold the CLP at least 14 days, then complete the skills test.
Knowledge tests
CDL knowledge tests in South Dakota
| Test | When it applies | Passing target |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | Required starting point for CDL applicants. | 80% |
| Air Brakes | Needed when the vehicle uses air brakes and you do not want an air-brake restriction. | 80% |
| Combination Vehicles | Class A combination vehicle applicants. | 80% |
| Hazmat | Placarded hazardous materials; TSA/security steps also apply. | 80% |
| Passenger / School Bus | Passenger vehicles and school bus routes. | 80% |
| Tanker | Tank vehicles and liquid cargo where endorsement rules apply. | 80% |
Endorsements
CDL endorsements in South Dakota
South Dakota applicants can need federal CDL endorsements including H hazardous materials, N tank vehicles, P passenger, S school bus, T double/triple trailers, and X tanker plus hazmat. Check South Dakota Driver Licensing before testing because some endorsements require background checks, extra forms, or a specific vehicle for the skills test.
Fees
South Dakota CDL fees
| CLP application fee | South Dakota CLP/testing fees are handled by Driver Licensing transaction |
|---|---|
| CDL application/license fee | Confirm CDL issue, renewal, endorsement, and duplicate totals with South Dakota Driver Licensing |
| Skills test / endorsement fees | South Dakota publishes commercial-driver licensing guidance through Driver Licensing. Confirm exact fees before visiting because charges can vary by transaction and endorsement. |
Fees can change and may be listed separately for testing, permit issue, license issue, endorsement, duplicate, renewal, and third-party skills testing. Verify the final amount on the official South Dakota source before your appointment.
Other state CDL guides
Compare nearby state CDL rules
Commercial driver license fees, testing offices, and skills-test scheduling can differ across state lines. Use these related state pages when comparing CDL paths.
Official resources
Official South Dakota CDL resources
Study path
Next steps for South Dakota CDL prep
FAQ
South Dakota CDL questions
How old do I need to be to get a CDL in South Dakota?
Plan for 18 for intrastate commercial driving and 21 for interstate driving, hazardous materials, and many cross-state jobs. Verify final restrictions with South Dakota Driver Licensing.
How long do I need to hold a CLP in South Dakota?
Federal CDL rules require at least 14 days between CLP issuance and the CDL skills test. State scheduling, paperwork, and testing availability can add more time.
What score should I aim for on South Dakota CDL knowledge tests?
Use 80% as the planning target for CDL knowledge tests unless the official testing system says otherwise. Study the state manual and practice before test day.
Where should I verify South Dakota CDL fees?
Use South Dakota Driver Licensing because fees may be split across permit, license, endorsement, renewal, duplicate, retest, and skills-test transactions.
US Permit Prep is independent from South Dakota Driver Licensing and FMCSA. This guide organizes official-source planning points for study use; always verify final CDL rules and fees with the official state source before testing.
