South Dakota CDL School Bus Practice Test (SD) 2

5 out of 5 (42 votes)
80% Passing score
20 Questions
4 Mistakes allowed
Welcome to the second SD CDL school bus practice test, designed to provide you with an extensive range of questions across all critical areas necessary for earning your commercial driver's license school bus endorsement. This South Dakota school bus endorsement test covers essential topics such as student safety, vehicle inspections, maneuvering, and traffic regulations. With 20 multiple-choice questions, you'll need to answer at least 16 correctly to pass, ensuring you are thoroughly prepared for every aspect of the CDL test. This South Dakota drivers test practice goes beyond just the basics. It covers stringent regulations specific to school bus drivers, including regular drug and alcohol testing, mandatory training on student management, and emergency evacuation procedures. Understanding these high standards is crucial for anyone stepping into this responsible role. Driving a school bus in SD can present unique challenges due to the state's diverse weather conditions and landscapes. From the snow-covered roads in the Black Hills to the wide-open prairies of the eastern part of the state, drivers must be prepared for a variety of driving conditions. This South Dakota DMV driving test practice ensures you're not just ready for the test but also for the real-world scenarios you'll encounter on the roads. At the end of this South Dakota DMV practice test, you'll receive a detailed summary of your performance. This summary highlights the questions you answered incorrectly along with the correct answers, helping you learn and improve. To effectively prepare for your CDL test, it's beneficial to supplement this school bus endorsement practice test with additional study materials like the driver's handbook, state-certified driver's ed courses, flashcards, and road sign charts. Remember, you can take this school bus practice test as many times as needed to feel confident and comfortable with the material. Mastering this set of questions will prepare you for the next level of CDL practice tests, bringing you one step closer to your goal of becoming a certified school bus driver in SD.
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Sample South Dakota School Bus Test Questions

Question 1

Which feature shows that a school bus is equipped with an antilock braking system?

  1. A A yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the instrument panel
  2. B An ABS statement on the driver-side door
  3. C A red lamp mounted on a brake chamber
  4. D A yellow lamp on the exterior left side of the bus

Correct answer: A – A yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the instrument panel

The South Dakota CDL manual states that an ABS-equipped school bus has a yellow malfunction lamp on its instrument panel. On newer vehicles, that lamp normally illuminates briefly at startup for a bulb check and then goes out. A lamp that remains on after the check can indicate a loss of ABS control at one or more wheels.

Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver’s License Manual — §§ 10.6.1, 10.6.4, “Vehicles Required to Have Antilock Braking Systems”; “Braking if ABS Is Not Working”

Question 2

A driver may operate a school bus without fastening the installed driver’s seat belt.

  1. A TRUE
  2. B FALSE

Correct answer: B – FALSE

Federal regulations prohibit a driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle with an installed driver’s seat belt unless the driver is properly restrained. The CDL manual likewise instructs bus drivers to always use the seat belt for safety. The belt must be fastened before the bus is put into operation.

Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 4.1.5, “Use Your Seatbelt!”, 49 CFR § 392.16(a) – Use of seat belts

Question 3

As a general emergency rule, how is student safety and control best maintained?

  1. A By evacuating immediately during every emergency
  2. B By contacting each student’s parents before acting
  3. C By always moving students to the nearest building
  4. D By keeping students aboard unless doing so exposes them to unnecessary risk or injury

Correct answer: D – By keeping students aboard unless doing so exposes them to unnecessary risk or injury

Keeping students aboard generally provides the best control during an emergency when remaining does not create unnecessary danger. The driver must still evaluate the hazard and make a timely evacuation decision. Fire, a bus stalled on or next to railroad tracks, imminent collision danger, or a hazardous-material spill may require evacuation.

Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 10.3.1, “Planning for Emergencies”

Question 4

What is the final check when stopping a school bus to pick up students?

  1. A Confirm that traffic has stopped before fully opening the door and signaling students to approach
  2. B Release the parking brake as soon as the red lights activate
  3. C Begin moving forward before the students reach the bus
  4. D Signal students to approach while only the amber lights are operating

Correct answer: A – Confirm that traffic has stopped before fully opening the door and signaling students to approach

After stopping, securing the transmission and parking brake, and activating the red lights and stop arm, the driver makes a final traffic check. The service door should not be opened completely and students should not be signaled to approach until the driver verifies that traffic has stopped.

Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 10.2.1, “Approaching the Stop”

Question 5

At a passive railroad-highway crossing, who must decide whether sufficient clear space exists to proceed safely?

  1. A The school bus driver
  2. B The dispatcher
  3. C The students aboard the bus
  4. D The nearest approaching motorist

Correct answer: A – The school bus driver

The South Dakota CDL manual defines a passive crossing as one without a traffic control device. The school bus driver must stop, search for trains, and determine whether enough clear space exists to cross safely. The final decision to proceed rests with the driver, not the dispatcher or passengers.

Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 10.4.1, “Types of Crossings”

Question 6

What should a written vehicle-condition report identify?

  1. A The bus’s future maintenance schedule
  2. B Problems affecting safety or possibly leading to a mechanical breakdown
  3. C Only the driver’s hours of service
  4. D Only the amount of fuel consumed

Correct answer: B – Problems affecting safety or possibly leading to a mechanical breakdown

A vehicle-condition report should record anything affecting safety or possibly leading to a mechanical breakdown. This gives the motor carrier and the next driver notice of problems that may need repair. Hours-of-service and fuel records serve different purposes and do not replace reporting vehicle defects.

Source: South Dakota Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 2.1.7, “After-trip Inspection and Report”

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