Free Practice Questions for South Dakota CDL School Bus
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Try these sample questions to review concepts for the South Dakota CDL School Bus exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under South Dakota Codified Law § 32-12A-1 and federal regulations, who is required to hold a Commercial Driver License with a School Bus (S) endorsement?
2Under federal rule 49 CFR § 383.123 and South Dakota commercial driver licensing regulations, what additional endorsement must an applicant qualify for to obtain the School Bus (S) endorsement?
3What is the restriction placed on a South Dakota Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) holder possessing a School Bus (S) endorsement?
4Under SDCL § 32-32-5.2, when must a school bus driver activate the flashing amber caution lights before an applicable pupil stop?
5At which South Dakota pupil stop does SDCL § 32-32-5.2 direct the driver not to activate the red flashing lights after stopping?
6What sequence does SDCL § 32-32-5.2 require for a roadway pupil stop after the bus comes to a complete stop?
7Under South Dakota Codified Law § 32-32-6, at what distance from a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights and stop arm must approaching motorists stop?
8Under SDCL § 32-32-6, how fast may a motorist pass a school bus displaying flashing amber caution lights on a road with fewer than two lanes in each direction?
9Under SDCL § 32-32-6, on what type of roadway are motorists traveling in the opposite direction of a stopped school bus NOT required to stop?
10How often does SDCL § 13-29-21 require an appropriate school bus driver training program?
About the South Dakota CDL School Bus Exam
The South Dakota CDL School Bus endorsement test is a 20-question state knowledge examination administered by South Dakota DPS Driver Licensing for drivers seeking the S endorsement. The endorsement applies to a qualifying school bus used to transport students to or from school or school-sponsored events (SDCL 32-12A-1), and 49 CFR 383.123 requires school bus applicants to also qualify for the Passenger (P) endorsement. The manual prohibits interpreters for knowledge testing, while every skills-test part is conducted in English. Section 10 covers danger zones and mirrors, loading and unloading, evacuation, railroad crossings, student management, antilock braking systems, and specialized safety rules; South Dakota law adds current warning-light, motorist-stop, and training rules. Independent OpenExamPrep practice uses four-option questions on those topics and is not an official test copy or simulation; it does not replace ELDT or required school-bus vehicle, control, and road skills practice.
Exam sponsor: South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Driver Licensing Program. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
A 20-question multiple-choice knowledge test administered at South Dakota DPS exam stations covering school bus operations and safety rules from Section 10 of the South Dakota CDL Manual. Applicants must also qualify for the Passenger (P) endorsement. After completing ELDT and holding a CLP for at least 14 days, the applicant takes the vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving skills tests in a representative school bus equipped with flashing red and amber lights and a stop signal arm.
Time Limit
Not published by South Dakota DPS
Passing Score
At least 80% correct on each CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135 and South Dakota DPS)
Exam / Certification Fees
$43 CLP; $43 CDL; $20 per endorsement test; $150 plus tax per third-party skills-test attempt
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Official sources
- South Dakota DPS Commercial Driver License · Source checked 2026-10-03
- South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual · Source checked 2026-10-03
- South Dakota Codified Laws § 32-32-5.2 (School Bus Warning Lights) · Source checked 2026-10-03
- South Dakota Codified Laws § 32-32-6 (Motorist Duties at School Bus Stops) · Source checked 2026-10-03
- South Dakota Codified Laws § 32-29-5 (Railroad Grade Crossing Stops) · Source checked 2026-10-03
- 49 CFR 383.123 (Requirements for a School Bus Endorsement) · Source checked 2026-10-03
- South Dakota Codified Laws § 13-29-21 (School Bus Driver Training) · Source checked 2026-10-03
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
South Dakota School Bus Law and Licensing
Who requires the S endorsement, dual P and S qualification under 49 CFR 383.123, CLP passenger restrictions, 14-day permit hold, ELDT mandates, warning lights under SDCL 32-32-5.2, motorist duties and the divided-roadway exception under SDCL 32-32-6, and five-year driver training under SDCL 13-29-21.
Danger Zones and Mirrors
Danger zones extending up to 30 feet in front of the front bumper (with the first 10 feet being the most dangerous), 10 feet on both sides, and 10 feet behind the rear bumper, plus proper adjustment, blind spots, and visual checks for flat, convex, crossover, and interior overhead rearview mirrors.
Loading and Unloading Procedures
School board approved stops, amber warning light activation distances, positioning the bus, coming to a complete stop, placing transmission in park or neutral and setting the parking brake, activating flashing red lights and stop signal arm, checking traffic in all mirrors, student crossing procedures, counting students, dropped object hazards, handrail snags, and post-trip child checks.
Emergency Exit and Evacuation
Determining whether to evacuate, situations requiring mandatory evacuation, establishing a safe assembly area at least 100 feet off the roadway in the direction of oncoming traffic, tornado protocols, securing the bus, and assisting injured students.
Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings
Mandatory stopping rule under SDCL 32-29-5, activating hazard warning flashers, quieting passengers, opening driver window and service door to look and listen, never manually shifting gears while traversing tracks, multiple tracks, passive versus active warnings, gate malfunctions, and stalled bus emergency evacuation.
Student Management and Special Safety
Passenger supervision, managing discipline without pulling over unsafely, never discharging a student at an unassigned stop, ABS operation, severe weather handling, tail swing of up to three feet when turning, and avoiding backing maneuvers.
School Bus Inspection Items
First aid kit, emergency body fluid cleanup kit, spare electrical fuses, three reflective warning triangles, fire extinguisher condition and mounting, warning-light indicator monitors, stop-arm extension mechanism, crossing control gate, passenger-seat securement, and post-route sleeping-child inspection sweeps.
Preparing for the South Dakota CDL School Bus Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: At least 80% correct on each CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135 and South Dakota DPS)
- Assessment: A 20-question multiple-choice knowledge test administered at South Dakota DPS exam stations covering school bus operations and safety rules from Section 10 of the South Dakota CDL Manual. Applicants must also qualify for the Passenger (P) endorsement. After completing ELDT and holding a CLP for at least 14 days, the applicant takes the vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving skills tests in a representative school bus equipped with flashing red and amber lights and a stop signal arm.
- Time limit: Not published by South Dakota DPS
- Exam / certification fees: $43 CLP; $43 CDL; $20 per endorsement test; $150 plus tax per third-party skills-test attempt Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 200 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
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South Dakota CDL School Bus: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What endorsements are required to drive a school bus in South Dakota?
Drivers must hold both the School Bus (S) endorsement and the Passenger (P) endorsement under federal rule 49 CFR 383.123 and SDCL 32-12A. If the school bus has air brakes, the driver must also pass the air brakes knowledge test and skills test in an air-braked bus to avoid an air brake restriction.
When must a South Dakota school bus driver turn on amber flashing warning lights?
Under current SDCL 32-32-5.2, a school bus driver making a roadway stop to receive or discharge schoolchildren must activate the flashing amber warning lights at least 300 feet and no more than 500 feet before the stop.
What does South Dakota law require of motorists approaching a stopped school bus?
Under SDCL 32-32-6, a motorist approaching a school bus displaying amber warning lights on a roadway with fewer than two lanes in each direction must reduce speed to no more than 15 mph and proceed cautiously. When the red lights and stop arm are displayed, approaching motorists must stop at least 15 feet away and remain stopped until the signals cease. Opposing traffic is exempt only on a roadway with at least two lanes in each direction; a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
What are South Dakota's railroad crossing rules for school buses?
SDCL 32-29-5 requires a school bus carrying a passenger to stop within 50 feet of the nearest rail, look and listen in both directions, and cross without manually shifting gears. Section 10 of the CDL Manual supplies the 15-to-50-foot test procedure and directs the driver to activate hazard flashers about 200 feet before the crossing and open the driver window and service door to listen.
How far does the danger zone extend around a school bus?
Section 10.1 of the South Dakota CDL Manual states that the danger zone extends up to 30 feet in front of the front bumper (with the first 10 feet being the most dangerous), 10 feet on both sides, and 10 feet behind the rear bumper.
Where should students be directed to gather during an emergency evacuation?
Section 10.3 directs the driver to lead students to a safe location at least 100 feet off the road in the direction of oncoming traffic to keep them away from any secondary collisions. If there is a hazardous materials spill or fire, students must be moved at least 300 feet upwind.
Are these practice questions identical to the official South Dakota exam?
No. These are independent educational study questions written based on Section 10 of the South Dakota CDL Manual, federal FMCSA regulations, and South Dakota Codified Laws. They are designed to help you master the necessary knowledge and do not duplicate official exam items or replace required Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT).