South Dakota CDL Endorsements
Endorsements are add-ons to your South Dakota CDL that authorize specific vehicle types or cargo. Each requires a separate knowledge test, taken through South Dakota Driver Licensing Program, and the endorsement codes are federal, so a South Dakota endorsement is recognized in every state. With cattle and livestock hauling, grain and agriculture, wind energy equipment shaping South Dakota freight, the examples under each endorsement show where that endorsement pays off locally.
Not all endorsements apply to every CDL class. Use the CDL Selector to find what you need.
When It's Required in South Dakota
In South Dakota (SD), required to transport any quantity of hazardous materials that require placarding under federal HazMat regulations.
What to Study for the SD Test
For the South Dakota (SD) Hazardous Materials test, study shipping papers, placard and label selection, safe loading and segregation, emergency response procedures, and security-awareness requirements under federal law.
Hazardous Materials in South Dakota (SD)
- Grain and agriculture: anhydrous ammonia and crop chemicals under placards
When It's Required in South Dakota
In South Dakota (SD), required for vehicles designed to transport liquids or gases in a tank permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle, with individual tank capacity of more than 119 gallons.
What to Study for the SD Test
For the South Dakota (SD) Tank Vehicles test, study liquid surge and baffled tanks, outage allowances, inspections, high-center-of-gravity handling, and rollover prevention strategies.
Tank Vehicles in South Dakota (SD)
- Grain and agriculture: liquid fertilizer and anhydrous ammonia tanks for the growing season
When It's Required in South Dakota
In South Dakota (SD), required for commercial vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver: charter buses, transit coaches, and similar vehicles.
What to Study for the SD Test
For the South Dakota (SD) Passenger test, study passenger safety protocols, controlled loading and unloading, emergency door operation, on-road passenger management, and distracted-driving rules.
Passenger in South Dakota (SD)
- Tourism and hospitality supply: motorcoaches, hotel shuttles, and airport buses
- Transit agencies, charter companies, and church or community buses across South Dakota
When It's Required in South Dakota
In South Dakota (SD), required for any driver transporting school-age students in a vehicle classified as a school bus under federal or state law.
What to Study for the SD Test
For the South Dakota (SD) School Bus test, study student loading zones, stop-signal arm procedures, railroad crossing rules, mirror adjustment, emergency evacuation drills, and state-specific school bus regulations.
School Bus in South Dakota (SD)
- South Dakota school districts and their contractors: every route driver needs S plus P
- Activity and athletics trips, which use the same S-endorsed drivers
When It's Required in South Dakota
In South Dakota (SD), required to pull double or triple trailers where permitted by state law. Common in regional and long-haul freight operations.
What to Study for the SD Test
For the South Dakota (SD) Doubles & Triples test, study coupling and uncoupling double and triple combinations, pull-out stability, off-tracking behavior, full combination inspections, and safe following distance.
Doubles & Triples in South Dakota (SD)
- Grain and agriculture: double grain hoppers at harvest where the state allows them
When It's Required in South Dakota
In South Dakota (SD), required for any vehicle equipped with an air brake system, which covers most Class A tractor-trailers and many Class B straight trucks.
What to Study for the SD Test
For the South Dakota (SD) Air Brakes test, study air brake components, dual-circuit systems, inspection procedures, warning devices, pressure gauges, and stopping distance at highway speeds.
Air Brakes in South Dakota (SD)
- Cattle and livestock hauling: livestock and reefer tractors on air brakes
- Wind energy equipment: heavy-haul tractors on wind projects
- Almost every Class A and Class B vehicle in South Dakota; skip this test and your CDL carries an L restriction
When It's Required in South Dakota
In South Dakota (SD), essential for Class A drivers operating tractor-trailers, lowboys, and other multi-unit combinations over federal weight thresholds.
What to Study for the SD Test
For the South Dakota (SD) Combination Vehicles test, study coupling and uncoupling procedures, air line connections, trailer handling characteristics, off-tracking, and full combination vehicle inspections.
Combination Vehicles in South Dakota (SD)
- Cattle and livestock hauling: livestock trailers and refrigerated meat loads
- Grain and agriculture: grain hoppers from elevators to processors and terminals
- Wind energy equipment: oversize wind-turbine blade and tower loads on specialized trailers
- Tourism and hospitality supply: event and production freight moving between venues
Not sure which South Dakota CDL endorsements you need?
Answer a few questions about your vehicle and operation, and the South Dakota CDL Selector Tool pinpoints the endorsements you need in South Dakota.