South Dakota Passenger ELDT for the P Endorsement
Complete your Passenger ELDT online in South Dakota — FMCSA-approved, accepted at South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS), auto-submitted to TPR. Only $20.
What It Costs and Where to Start in South Dakota
Every FMCSA-approved ELDT theory course is $20, online, and finished in under 2 hours. Completion is filed to the federal Training Provider Registry within 24 hours.
- Hazmat — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- CDL A — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- CDL B — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- Passenger — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- School Bus — $20 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- 3-Endorsement Bundle — $50 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- All Bundles — from $30 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- Hazmat + Test Prep — $30 FMCSA-approved ELDT
- CDL-A Permit Prep — $15 DMV study aid — not ELDT
Not sure which one?
- I already have a CDL and want to add an endorsement — you only need the endorsement course: Hazmat, Passenger, or School Bus, $20 each. Skip CDL-A and CDL-B entirely.
- I'm brand new and have no CDL — start with CDL-A or CDL-B theory, then complete behind-the-wheel training locally. Theory alone does not get you licensed.
- I want all three endorsements — the 3-endorsement bundle is $50 instead of $60 separately.
- What's the cheapest way to do everything? — bundles are the floor: $50 for H+P+S, or $30 for either CDL theory course paired with permit prep. Adding Hazmat all-in, including the federal TSA background check and your state's endorsement fee, typically runs $110–$150.
- Tanker (N) or Doubles/Triples (T)? — neither has an ELDT requirement. The federal rule covers Class A, Class B, the B-to-A upgrade, and Hazmat, Passenger and School Bus only. Both are knowledge-test only at your state DMV: Tanker Test Prep — $15, or Hazmat & Tanker Complete — $45 if you need the Hazmat ELDT too.
Quick Answers — Passenger ELDT in South Dakota
Who needs it?
Any CDL holder adding the Passenger endorsement in South Dakota after February 7, 2022 must complete FMCSA-approved ELDT before taking the endorsement knowledge test.
How long does it take?
Under 2 hours. It's self-paced and 100% online — start and stop on any device.
How much does it cost?
$20 for the Passenger ELDT at DLA Academy — the lowest-priced FMCSA-approved option, with no hidden fees.
Can I do it online?
Yes. The entire course is online and your completion is auto-submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours — no classroom and no appointment.
What's next?
Finish your ELDT, then pass the Passenger knowledge test at SD DPS.
South Dakota Passenger ELDT — Step by Step
Hold a Valid CDL
You need an existing CDL before adding the Passenger (P) endorsement. If you don't have one yet, start with CDL A or CDL B Theory ELDT.
Complete Passenger ELDT Online
Complete DLA Academy's FMCSA-approved Passenger ELDT online in under 2 hours. Auto-submitted to FMCSA TPR.
Pass the P Endorsement Knowledge Test at South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS)
Visit South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS) to take the Passenger knowledge test. Most states also require a skills test in a passenger vehicle.
Receive Your P Endorsement
Once SD DPS has your ELDT completion and test results, the Passenger endorsement is added to your CDL.
What DLA Academy's Passenger ELDT Covers
- Vehicle inspection for passenger transport
- Loading and unloading passengers
- Emergency evacuations
- Railroad-highway grade crossings
- Passenger management and safety
- Anti-lock braking systems
What's on the South Dakota Passenger (P) Endorsement Test
After you finish Passenger (P) ELDT, South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS) still administers its own knowledge test before adding the endorsement to your CDL. The questions come from the SD DPS CDL manual, and the core topics are consistent across states:
- Loading and unloading passengers — where passengers may stand or sit, keeping the aisle and stepwell clear, securing the vehicle before anyone boards or exits
- Emergency exits and evacuation — locating and operating every exit, briefing passengers, and deciding when to evacuate versus keep passengers aboard
- Brake-door interlocks — what the interlock does, why it exists, and why it is never a substitute for the parking brake
- Hours of service — the federal limits as they apply to passenger-carrying drivers
- Defensive driving — following distance, railroad crossings, pedestrians, and the stopping distance of a loaded bus
Question counts and passing scores are set by SD DPS and vary, so treat the official SD DPS CDL manual as authoritative. For a fuller breakdown of the exam, see our Passenger (P) endorsement test guide.
Is there a skills test too?
In most states, yes. Passing the Passenger (P) knowledge test is usually not the last step — SD DPS typically also requires an in-vehicle skills test in an actual bus, including an endorsement-specific pre-trip inspection and an on-road drive. Confirm with South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS) before you schedule.
What does the Passenger (P) endorsement cost in South Dakota?
The FMCSA-required ELDT theory is $20 at DLA Academy. On top of that, SD DPS charges its own endorsement and testing fees, which it sets and can change — check the current amounts on the official SD DPS site. There is no TSA background check for Passenger (P), which is why it costs considerably less than adding Hazmat.
Add the S Endorsement
Drivers adding Passenger often add School Bus too — many districts require both. DLA Academy's School Bus ELDT is $20 — or save by grabbing the 3-endorsement bundle for $50.
More South Dakota ELDT Resources
Owner-Operator Resources
Common Questions About ELDT & CDL Endorsements
More South Dakota CDL Resources
Bundles cost less than the same courses bought one at a time, and every price below is the bundled price.
Training a crew? Fleet accounts cover 10 or more drivers from $25 a seat, billed once, with every completion tracked in one place.
Sending drivers our way? The affiliate program pays 25% commission on every enrollment you refer.
4.9★ Google rating from 390+ verified reviews. 6,936+ drivers trained nationwide.
"The DLA academy took great care to insure that my needs were met and I could not be more satisfied or ask for a better experience thank you!"
"It’s very easy to study the material. It’s organized in a way that makes learning easier than the way it’s in the CDL driver handbook."
"This course was very useful and affordable.You cannot go wrong.I highly recommend it"
Verify DLA Academy by name at the FMCSA Training Provider Registry: tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov
Ready to Start Your South Dakota Passenger ELDT?
$20 flat. FMCSA-approved. Auto-submitted to TPR. Accepted at South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS). Under 2 hours on any device.