CDL Day at the State Fairgrounds

On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) will host “CDL Day” at the State Fairgrounds, located at 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, SC 29201. The event will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This is the second time the agency has hosted a day dedicated to commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), to include walk-in testing services for both commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) and CDLs. Limited services will be available for motor carrier customers.

Customers looking to obtain a CLP will be able to apply for and take the required CLP knowledge examination on site. Customers will also be able to apply for and take the skills test for a CDL if the applicant completes the pre-trip inspection and meets all other CDL requirements, to include Entry Level Driver Training, if applicable.

The pre-trip, motor carrier assistance, and knowledge test cut-off time is 3:00 p.m.

“Seeing this become an annual event is very special,” said Kevin Shwedo, Executive Director of the SCDMV. “Last year, our goal was to create an opportunity to do something to support the needs of commercial drivers and the trucking industry. A second year speaks to the agency’s evolution to bring the DMV to customers versus making them come to us. We’re looking forward to seeing members of the trucking community on the tenth.”

SCDMV staff will answer questions from motor carrier customers regarding the completion of International Registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) applications.

The event was planned with the support of the South Carolina Trucking Association.

“Seeing all the trucks at the State Fairgrounds for another year gives the agency a lot of excitement,” said Courtney Saxon, Director of Branch Services. “It speaks to the robust impact the trucking community has on this State, and I’m glad we are able to facilitate its vitality.”

The entrance on Rosewood Drive will serve as the check-in location. From the check-in location, customers who are applying for a CLP will be directed to the testing area to complete a knowledge test. Motor carrier customers looking to renew an IRP application, pay a tax return, or update other information will also be directed to the correct location.

Customers applying for a CDL will be directed to the pre-trip inspection area and will receive further directions to the CDL skills test area after the pre-trip has been completed.

For questions about the event, email CDLFair@scdmv.net.