- Updated for April 2025
- Based on 2025 SD commercial driver's license manual
Free SD CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Exam 2025
Before applying for a South Dakota Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), it is crucial to learn about pre-trip inspections and how to properly conduct them. Pre-trip inspections will be included as part of your training before you can apply for a South Dakota Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). They are useful for preventing accidents and mechanical breakdowns before they happen. Furthermore, they are required by federal regulation 49 CFR § 396.13 before a commercial vehicle can be driven on public roads. By using a checklist to inspect the main systems and components of their vehicle, such as the battery, tires, mirrors, and windshield wipers, drivers can address any unsafe operating conditions before they become a problem. It’s better to know you have a potential safety issue before you encounter dark times in the Black Hills.
This South Dakota DMV CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test will enhance your knowledge of this safety measure. There are a few requirements for you to meet to get a CLP, and a crucial one is passing the DMV CDL General Knowledge Test. You must answer 80% of the {official-test-num} questions correctly to earn a passing score on the official knowledge test. The practice test provides reliable information to facilitate your success in obtaining the required score. It will equip you with the necessary skills and instill confidence to increase your test score with a firm grasp of the pre-trip inspection process. You will be amazed by the results you’ll see in a short time.
Although there are various on-line resources, our CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test provides superior instruction on this safety measure. The practice test is based on the most recent South Dakota DMV CDL driver’s manual (South Dakota CDL Handbook 2025) and is up to date as of April 2025. It contains the most authoritative information available on pre-trip inspections. It Includes 20 multiple-choice questions to assess your knowledge of pre-trip inspections and correct your misconceptions. If you submit an incorrect answer, the practice test will give you a detailed explanation of the correct one. While study guides are a popular resource to prepare for the official knowledge test, they will not provide the most comprehensive instruction. You’ll need to do your own research to correct wrong answers. This approach could leave you resorting to guesswork that falls short of your needs. The practice test is a dependable source for paving the way to your success.
While the bikers rally in Sturgis, you can be marching toward better driving skills with practice tests for other U.S. states and Washington D.C. at https://driving-tests.org/academy/drivers-license.
- Perfect for first-time and renewal CDL/CLP applicants, and those adding endorsements
- Triple-checked for accuracy
What you need to know
What to expect on the actual SD DMV exam
questions
correct answers to pass
passing score
List of questions (classic view)
- What structure supporting the fifth wheel skid plate should be checked for cracks or breaks?
- You pump the pedal three times and hold it down for five seconds, making sure that the pedal does not move. What are you inspecting?
- What transmits power from the transmission to the drive axle?
- What carries air or hydraulic fluid to the wheel brake assembly?
- ________ are gas or hydraulic devices that cushion the vehicle's ride and stabilize the vehicle.
- What is the sliding mechanism and locking device for tandem axles on trailers?
- What do you inspect to make sure that all are present and show no signs of looseness such as rust trails or shiny threads?
- What should you check to be sure it is solid, clear of objects, and securely bolted to the tractor frame?
- What maintains air pressure in the air brake system?
- Which tires should have a minimum tread depth of 4/32 inch?
- Which of the following can disengage the engine from the drivetrain?
- What transforms steering column action into wheel action?
- Make sure that the _________ are not cut, chafed, spliced, or worn, and not tangled, pinched, or dragged against tractor parts.
- You are looking for puddles on the ground and dripping fluids on the underside of the engine and transmission. What are you checking for?
- What should be fully engaged with no loose or missing pins in the slide mechanism of the sliding fifth wheel?
- To improve visibility during severe or stormy weather, __________ must be secure, undamaged, and operating smoothly and correctly.
- _________ should be clean with no dirt, illegal stickers, obstructions, or damage.
- _________ are the brackets, bolts, or bushings that are used to attach the spring or air bag to the axle and vehicle frame.
- If the wheel has a sight glass, check that the oil level is adequate. Otherwise, look for leaks around the
- What releases the fifth wheel locking jaws so the trailer can be coupled?
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