South Dakota CDL Classes Explained
Which South Dakota CDL class you need depends on vehicle weight, what it tows, and the type of operation, not just the truck size. The three classes are set by federal rule (49 CFR 383.91) and are the same in every state, so a South Dakota CDL is valid nationwide. South Dakota Driver Licensing Program issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. South Dakota's agricultural economy and growing wind energy sector rely on bulk and oversize freight operators.
A Class A CDL is generally used for combination vehicles, including tractor-trailers, when the gross combination weight rating is 26,001 pounds or more and the towed unit is over 10,000 pounds.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes if equipped
- Combination Vehicles
- Vehicle Inspection
- Basic Vehicle Control
- Road Test
Common Job Types
- Tractor-trailer driver
- Regional freight driver
- Heavy combination vehicle operator
- Class A delivery driver
Class A CDL in South Dakota
Class A is the license behind most of South Dakota's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-29, I-90. With cattle and livestock hauling, grain and agriculture, wind energy equipment driving demand, typical South Dakota Class A work includes:
- Cattle and livestock hauling: livestock trailers and refrigerated meat loads to packers and markets
- Grain and agriculture: grain hoppers running from elevators to processors and export terminals
- Wind energy equipment: oversize wind-turbine blade and tower transport
- Tourism and hospitality supply: event, production, and resort supply freight
Apply, test, and schedule through South Dakota Driver Licensing Program. Not sure this is your class? Use the South Dakota CDL Selector.
A Class B CDL is generally used for a single commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, plus limited towing.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes if equipped
- Vehicle Inspection
- Basic Vehicle Control
- Road Test
Common Job Types
- Straight truck driver
- Dump truck driver
- Large bus driver
- Box truck driver
- Concrete mixer driver
Class B CDL in South Dakota
Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep South Dakota moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical South Dakota Class B work includes:
- Cattle and livestock hauling: feed and farm-service trucks (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Grain and agriculture: single-unit grain and feed trucks at harvest (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Wind energy equipment: crane support and component trucks at wind sites
- Tourism and hospitality supply: motorcoaches and tour buses (P endorsement)
Apply, test, and schedule through South Dakota Driver Licensing Program. Not sure this is your class? Use the South Dakota CDL Selector.
A Class C CDL may apply when the vehicle does not meet Class A or B weight definitions but is used for passengers, school bus operation, or placarded hazardous materials.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge as required
- Passenger or School Bus endorsement if applicable
- HazMat endorsement if applicable
- State-specific requirements
Common Job Types
- Shuttle driver
- Small passenger vehicle driver
- School activity driver
- HazMat delivery driver
Class C CDL in South Dakota
Class C applies to lighter vehicles in South Dakota that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical South Dakota Class C work includes:
- Cattle and livestock hauling: farm crew transport when the vehicle carries 16 or more passengers
- Tourism and hospitality supply: hotel, airport, and resort shuttle vans (P endorsement)
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for South Dakota school districts (P and S endorsements)
- Shuttle, paratransit, and church or community vans built for 16 or more passengers
Apply, test, and schedule through South Dakota Driver Licensing Program. Not sure this is your class? Use the South Dakota CDL Selector.
Not sure which class applies to you?
Answer a few questions about your vehicle and operation, and the CDL Selector gives you a starting point in under a minute.