Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerSouth Carolina CDL Prep
South Carolina CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your South Carolina commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the South Carolina CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in South Carolina
In South Carolina, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet South Carolina age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official South Carolina CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in South Carolina. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerSouth Carolina CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every South Carolina CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in South Carolina.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in South Carolina?
Yes if your CLP was issued after February 7, 2022. Complete an FMCSA-approved ELDT program before the skills test for first-time Class A or B, Class B to A upgrades, and first-time school bus, passenger, or hazmat endorsements. SCDMV notes ELDT comes after successful CDL knowledge testing for the permit.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in South Carolina?
Yes when your self-certified commerce type requires it. A National Registry examiner must submit your Medical Examiner's Certificate electronically — SCDMV no longer accepts manual submissions to the CDL Helpdesk. Keep medical status current for CLP/CDL applications, upgrades, renewals, address changes, and duplicates. Check your status online through SCDMV.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in South Carolina?
Complete Form 447-CDL and bring identity documents from the US Citizen's Checklist (MV-93). You may also need Affidavit of Previous Driver's License (DL-402) and medical certification form DL-405A if SCDMV does not have a current one on file. Bring your medical certificate status if required for your commerce type. Social Security information must match SSA records (SSOLV).
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in South Carolina?
Yes. Pass the TSA Threat Assessment (fingerprints and background check) before SCDMV can issue, renew, or upgrade a CDL with hazmat. First-time applicants also need hazmat ELDT. Hazardous materials endorsements cannot be placed on a CLP. Hazmat CDLs typically expire in five years with the security assessment.
How much do South Carolina CLP and knowledge tests cost?
Pay a $15 CDL application fee, $2 for each knowledge test attempt, and $2.50 for the CLP (valid one year). Failed knowledge tests can usually be retaken the next day, with up to three attempts on the original application fees. Skills retests are $25. An 8-year CDL license is about $25.
Can I transfer an out-of-state CLP to South Carolina?
No. Out-of-state CLPs are not transferable. Pass South Carolina's general knowledge test and any other applicable tests to get an SC CLP, then hold that new permit for at least 14 calendar days before CDL skills testing.
Does South Carolina check the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?
Yes. SCDMV checks PDPS, CDLIS, and the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse when you apply for an original CDL, renew, retest, or move from a CLP to a CDL.
Can I bank South Carolina CDL skills test scores?
Yes. You must pass vehicle inspection, basic control, and on-road tests in order. Scores for portions you pass can be banked during the initial CLP issuance and while the CLP remains valid. Do not schedule until you are ready to pass all three parts; arrive 30 minutes early for your appointment.
Does PrepCDL cover South Carolina?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the South Carolina CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.