CDL License Classes

Commercial Driver's Licenses have one of the following classes:

All non-commercial licenses expire every five years on the driver's birthday.  Commercial licenses expire every five years on the driver's birthday and may not be renewed by mail.

CDL Endorsements

The following endorsements can be applied to a CDL:

H	Hazardous Material (Hazmat)
N	Tanker Vehicle
P	Bus Passenger
S	School Bus
T	Double/Triple Trailers
X	Combination Hazmat and Tanker

All endorsements require successful completion of a written test;  the "P" endorsement also requires completion of a successful road test.

CDL Restrictions

The following CDL restrictions can be assigned:

I	Intrastate Only (Under 21)
K	May not operate air brake equipped vehicle      (requires knowledge and road test to remove restriction)
P	Government Vehicle Only
V	CDL Class B passenger vehicle also
W	CDL Class C passenger vehicle also
Z	Except tractor trailer

Social Security Verification

Getting Your Initial CDL License

To obtain a Commercial Driver's License for the first time in the state of South Carolina, the following are required:

1. You must meet federal medical requirements (see Federal rule 49 CFR, Part 391 of the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation rules to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle for more information).
2. Pass a vision test with the department.
3. You must be at least 18 years of age to drive within the state of South Carolina and 21 years of age for interstate driving.
4. Complete the CDL Application. There is a $15.00 application fee.
5. Pass all required knowledge tests for license or permit in the classification you intend to operate.
6. Pass the road test, which includes the pre-trip inspection, off-road and on-road driving.

Transferring Your CDL License From Another State

After establishing residency in South Carolina, you must apply to transfer your CDL license within (30) days.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles will obtain driving information through the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS), the National Driver's Register (NDR) and from each state in which you have been licensed. You will be required to surrender your out-of-state license before a South Carolina commercial driver's license can be issued.

To transfer a CDL from another state to South Carolina you must:

1. Complete the CDL application (there is a $15.00 application fee).
2. Meet federal medical requirements (see Federal rule 49 CFR, Part 391 of the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, rules to operate a commercial motor vehicle for more information).
3. Surrender the actual commercial driver's license you have in your possession at the time you apply.
4. Pass the vision test.
5. Applicants with hazardous material (Hazmat) endorsement must also pass the hazardous materials knowledge test to maintain that endorsement (each knowledge test is $2.00).
6. Provide proof of identity using Accepted Forms of Identification.
7. Pay the $12.50 license fee.

Note that Section 23-3-460 of the SC Code of Laws states that a person who has been convicted anywhere of an offense listed in 23-3-430 must register with the county sheriff within 10 days of establishing residency in South Carolina.  A copy of the Sex Offender Registry Law is available upon request.

Renewing Your CDL License

Each time your renew your South Carolina Commercial Driver's License you must provide proof that you are medically qualified for the CDL.  To renew your CDL the following are required:

1. You must meet federal medical requirements (see Federal rule 49 CFR, Part 391 of the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, rules to operate a commercial motor vehicle for more information).  This proof must be provided with your DOT Medical Long Form or pocket card. 
2. Pass a vision test with the department.
3. Complete the CDL application. There is a $15.00 application fee.
4. If there has been more than five points assessed against your driver's license within the two years prior to renewal, the general knowledge test will be required. There is a $2.00 test fee for each test taken.
5. Applicants with hazardous material (Hazmat) endorsement must also pass the hazardous materials knowledge test to maintain that endorsement; $2.00 test fee for each test taken.
6. The fee for renewal is $12.50.

CDL Knowledge Test

You will take one or more knowledge tests, depending on what class of license and what endorsements you may need. The CDL knowledge tests include:

• General Knowledge Test, taken by all applicants.
  
• Combination Vehicles Test, which is required if you want to drive Class A combination vehicles.
  
• Air Brakes Test, which you must take if your vehicle has air brakes. Drivers not taking this test will be restricted to driving vehicles without air brakes ("K" restriction).
  
• Passenger Transport Test, taken by all bus driver applicants.
  
• Hazardous Materials Test, required if you want to haul hazardous materials or waste requiring placarding.
  
• School Bus Test, required to transport pre-primary, primary, or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school-sponsored events.
  
• Tanker Test, required if you want to haul liquids or gaseous materials in bulk (1,000 gallon capacity or more).
  
• Doubles/Triples Test, required if you want to pull double or triple trailers.

The type of CDL written knowledge tests you need to pass depends on the type of commercial motor vehicle you drive and the cargo you haul.   Illustrations of typical vehicle configurations are shown below.

CDL Skills Test

If you pass the required knowledge tests, you can take the CDL skills test. There are three parts to the CDL skills test: the pre-trip inspection test, the basic control skills test, and the on-road test. You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed. To be eligible for a CDL, all three parts of the CDL skills test must be passed at one time.

• Pre-trip Inspection. The purpose of the pre-trip inspection is to see whether the vehicle is safe to drive. You will be required to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and to explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why. The examiner will mark on a scoring form each item that you correctly inspect and explain.
  
• Basic Control Skills Test. The purpose of the basic control skills test is to evaluate your basic skills in controlling the vehicle. You will be asked to perform four maneuvers: The Stop Line, Straight Line Backing, Forward Serpentine, and the Alley Dock.
  
• Road Test. The purpose of the road test is to evaluate your ability to drive safely in a variety of on-road situations. You will drive a test route following the instructions given by the examiner. The test route will include left and right turns, intersections, railroad crossing, curves, up and down grades, interstate, city and rural roads. The examiner will score specific areas of the test route. The examiner will not ask you to do anything dangerous or illegal.

Although there is no charge for first time skills tests, a $25.00 fee will be charged for all repeat commercial driver license skills testing. This includes pre-trip inspection, basic control skills and on-road demonstration.

Commercial Vehicle Configurations

The type of CDL written knowledge tests you need to pass depends on the type of commercial motor vehicle you drive and the cargo you haul.  Some examples follow.

Vehicle Type Test Topics Straight Truck For example, Concrete Mixer, Dump Truck, Trash Disposal, or Stake Beds. For these types of vehicles, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Straight Truck For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Straight (Van) Truck with Cargo Tank Trailer For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Combination Vehicles Test Tank Vehicles Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Straight Truck with Portable Tank A tank not permanently attached to vehicle is classed as a portable tank. For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Tank Vehicles Test if tank is designed to hold 1,000 gallons or more Straight Truck with Trailer For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Combination Vehicles Test Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Straight Tanker For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Tank Vehicles Test (if the tank is designed to hold 1,000 gallons or more) Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Double Trailers For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Combination Vehicles Test Doubles/Triples Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Tractor-Semitrailer Tanker For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Combination Vehicles Test Tank Vehicles Test (if the tank is designed to hold 1,000 gallons or more) Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Tractor-SemiTrailer For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Combination Vehicles Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Double Tank Trailers For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Combination Vehicles Test Tank Vehicles Test (if the tank is designed to hold 1,000 gallons or more) Doubles/Triples Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Triple Trailers For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Combination Vehicles Test Doubles/Triples Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Straight Tank Truck with Cargo Tank Trailer For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Combination Vehicles Test Tank Vehicles Test (if the tank is designed to hold 1,000 gallons or more) Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Tow Truck with Heavy Vehicle in Tow For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Combination Vehicles Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes Truck with Cargo Tank Trailer A tank permanently attached to vehicle is classed as a cargo tank. For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Tank Vehicles Test (if the tank is designed to hold 1,000 gallons or more) Hazardous Materials Tests if placards are required Passenger Bus For this type vehicle, you are required to take the following tests: General Knowledge Test Passenger Test Air Brakes Test if the vehicle is equipped with air brakes