South Dakota CDL Permit Practice
South Dakota CDL Permit Practice Test — 119 DMV Questions
119 DMV-style practice questions for the SD DPS permit test. $15. Pairs with CDL-A Theory ELDT ($20) for first-time Class A applicants.
★★★★★
5.0 Google Rating · 43+ Reviews · 3,000+ Graduates
FMCSA-Approved
49 States
Auto-Submitted to TPR
Under 2 Hours
No Hidden Fees
Getting your Commercial Learner's Permit in South Dakota means passing the knowledge test at the South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS). Our CDL-A Permit Prep is a 119-question practice tool that mirrors what you'll face on the DMV test — but it's NOT the FMCSA-approved ELDT training. You need both: Permit Prep to study for the permit test, and CDL-A Theory ELDT ($20) to meet the federal mandate. Think of it this way: Permit Prep gets you ready for SD DPS; ELDT is what the feds require before you can test for your CDL skills.
South Dakota CDL Permit Test — What You Need to Know
Before you can take any CDL skills test in South Dakota, you need a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). To get the CLP, you pass the DMV knowledge test at South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS) — that's the permit test. It's separate from FMCSA-approved ELDT training. ELDT is required to take the CDL skills test; the permit test is required to get the learner's permit that lets you take the skills test.
DLA Academy's CDL-A Permit Prep is a $15 study tool with 119 practice questions covering the topics the SD DPS permit test draws from. It is not FMCSA-approved ELDT and does not fulfill the ELDT mandate — but it pairs naturally with CDL-A Theory ELDT ($20) for drivers who want both the permit prep and the federally-required theory training.
What's Inside the 119 Practice Questions
The CDL-A Permit Prep covers every topic the DMV knowledge test draws from. Roughly:
- ~50 General Knowledge questions (rules of the road, signs, defensive driving)
- ~25 Air Brakes questions (system components, low air pressure, parking brakes)
- ~25 Combination Vehicles questions (coupling, uncoupling, trailer handling)
- Sample Hazardous Materials questions (for drivers also studying the H endorsement)
- Questions formatted to mimic the state DMV knowledge test interface
- Self-paced — review missed questions, retake as many times as you want
Most drivers run through the full bank twice before the state test. Combined with the official CDL handbook for your state, the pass rate is high.
Taking the Permit Test at South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing
In South Dakota, the permit test is administered by South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS). Bring proof of identity, proof of state residency, your Social Security number, and (if applicable) your DOT medical card. Test format is multiple-choice and you'll typically need to pass General Knowledge plus any endorsement-specific sections you're adding (Hazmat, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, Passenger, School Bus). You can find the official SD DPS CDL manual and scheduling info at https://dps.sd.gov/licensing/driver-licensing/commercial-driver-licensing.
You must hold a valid CLP for at least 14 days before taking the CDL skills test in any state.
Permit Prep vs. ELDT — They're Different Products
What CDL-A Permit Prep Is and Isn't
Permit Prep ($15) is a DMV knowledge-test study tool. It is not FMCSA-approved and does not fulfill the ELDT mandate. It helps you pass the state permit test to get your CLP.
CDL-A Theory ELDT ($20) is the FMCSA-approved entry-level driver training required before you can take the CDL skills test. It auto-submits to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours and is accepted by SD DPS.
For first-time Class A applicants you'll likely need both — Permit Prep to pass the permit test, then CDL-A Theory ELDT to qualify for the skills test, then behind-the-wheel training (BTW) at a local FMCSA-registered provider.
More South Dakota ELDT Resources
Owner-Operator Resources
Real Drivers, Real Reviews
What DLA Academy Drivers Say
Verified reviews pulled live from our Google Business Profile. 5.0 stars from 43+ CDL drivers across the country.
★★★★★
"Best price, quality course. Got my Hazmat endorsement squared away in under an hour. Auto-submitted to TPR like they said."
★★★★★
"Cheaper than every other ELDT site I checked and the material was straightforward. No fluff. Recommend."
★★★★★
"Took it on my phone during a layover. Done in 90 minutes. DMV already had my completion the next day."
Why DLA Academy
The Numbers Behind the 5.0 Stars
3,000+
Graduates Across 49 States
5.0 ★
Google Rating · 43+ Reviews
$20
Lowest Price — Every Course
24 hrs
Auto-Submitted to FMCSA TPR
FMCSA-Approved
Listed on TPR
100% Online
Self-Paced
Mobile-Friendly
No Hidden Fees
49 States
Under 2 Hours
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between this permit practice test and ELDT?+
CDL-A Permit Prep ($15) is a study tool for the DMV knowledge test you take when applying for your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) at SD DPS. It has 119 practice questions covering general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles. CDL-A Theory ELDT ($20) is the federally-mandated online training required by the FMCSA before you can take the CDL skills test. You need both. Permit Prep helps you pass the permit test; ELDT satisfies federal law. They serve different purposes and are separate products.
What topics are covered in the 119 practice questions?+
The practice questions cover the three main DMV knowledge-test topics: general knowledge (vehicle inspection, safe driving, cargo), air brakes (if applicable to the vehicle you'll drive), and combination vehicles (for Class A CDL). The questions are designed to match the format and difficulty of the actual South Dakota Department of Public Safety knowledge test, so you'll know what to expect when you sit down at SD DPS.
How many attempts do I get, and how long do I have to study?+
You get unlimited attempts at the practice test — retake it as many times as you need to nail the material. There's no time limit on how long you can use it. Most drivers work through the questions in a few sessions. Once you feel confident, head to SD DPS and take the real permit test. After you pass that, you'll have a 14-day waiting period before you can test for your CDL skills.
Does this permit prep replace ELDT?+
No. Permit Prep is a DMV study tool, not FMCSA-approved ELDT. It prepares you for SD DPS's knowledge test. CDL-A Theory ELDT ($20) is the separate federal requirement you must complete before the skills test. You'll typically do Permit Prep first (to pass the permit test), then complete ELDT (to meet the federal mandate), then move on to behind-the-wheel training at a local provider. Many drivers bundle both for convenience.
What do I need to bring to South Dakota Department of Public Safety to take the real permit test?+
Bring your valid ID, proof of residency, your Social Security number (or ITIN), and any required medical certification if you're applying for certain commercial endorsements. South Dakota Department of Public Safety will tell you the exact checklist when you schedule or walk in. The permit test itself is administered on a computer at an SD DPS office. Once you pass, you'll get your CLP, which is valid for 180 days while you complete ELDT and schedule your skills test.
Ready to Start Your South Dakota CDL-A Permit Prep ELDT?
$15 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.
FMCSA-Approved
No Hidden Fees
Under 2 Hours
5.0 Stars · 43+ Reviews
3,000+ Graduates
49 States