Truck Driving License in South Dakota
A truck driving license in South Dakota is an important aspect of working as a commercial truck driver in the state. Without a valid truck driving license, you will not be able to engage in either an intrastate or an interstate truck driving work. Newer regulations have been made which required all applicants for truck driving to possess certain qualifications in order to make sure that they can safely and securely handle truck driving in the United States. If you wish to become involved in this type of work, you must be able to pass the state’s requirements for truck drivers.
The first thing that you must possess is the proper age which is 18 years old for an intrastate truck driver, and 21 years old for an interstate truck driver. You must also be a legal resident of the United States and of the state of South Dakota in order to apply for a truck driver’s license in this state. Without these requirements you would not be able to secure even a learner’s permit. Next, you should also be able to read and speak in English well as most of the road signs and communications are done in this language.
After this, you should try to read the South Dakota CDL Manual which will teach you about truck driving and the information that you would need in order to pass both the written and the skills test that will be conducted by the DMV, or DPS as it is known in this state. The manual will teach you about the areas where you will be tested on especially during the actual driving test such as pre-trip inspection, basic driving skills, and road test. Aside from this, you would also have to read and understand the current regulations about self-certification and truck driver requirements issued by the DPS.
When you are ready for the written test, you should be able to prepare the following documents at hand: valid IDs, your current driver’s license, proof of residence in South Dakota, proof of legal status in the United States, Social Security number, DOT medical certificate, vision test results, self-certification, and a filled-out application form. Some of the forms can either be acquired through your local driver licensing office or through a DOT accredited physician or medical practitioner. Some of these documents will be required before you take the written exam which will provide you with your learner’s permit.
If you pass the written test, you will then be issued a learner’s permit which you can use to drive a truck as long as you are accompanied by an individual with a CDL for the type of truck that you are driving. This permit is valid only for a few months so make sure that you learn all that you can about truck driving during this period. When you are ready, you can schedule for your driving test where you will be tested on pre-trip inspection, basic driving skills, and road test. Passing all of these tests will lead you to get your truck driving license in South Dakota.
If you are in need of training you can find truck driving schools in SD to help learn the skills required to pass the license exams. Classes can be finished in a few weeks and many facilities offer financing as well as job placement upon completion. To learn more about requirements to get your CDL, you can read the driver’s manual linked below.
South Dakota Department of Public Safety
Mailing Address – 118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Website: South Dakota DPS
SD Commercial Driver License Manual
1-800-952-3696
605-773-6883