CDL Truck Driver in South Carolina
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, South Carolina.
Jobs (SC)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a cdl truck driver in South Carolina
To become a CDL Truck Driver in South Carolina, you must obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) by passing knowledge tests and completing an FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) program if you obtained your CLP after February 7, 2022. After holding the CLP for at least 14 days, you can take the CDL skills test. The licensing body is the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV), and applicants must be at least 18 for intrastate driving or 21 for interstate driving or hazardous materials transport. A valid DOT medical certificate is also required.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for South Carolina. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist South Carolina requirements
| Licensing body | South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) |
| Exam | CDL General Knowledge and Skills Test ($2) |
| Application fee | $15 |
| Renewal | Every 8.0 years |
| Notes | Applicants must be 18+ for intrastate or 21+ for interstate commerce, or to transport hazardous materials. A valid DOT medical certificate is required. Knowledge tests cost $2 each. The CDL license fee is $25 for an 8-year license. Skills test fees are paid to third-party providers and vary. Federal ELDT is required for new applicants for a Class A or B CDL, or for S, P, or H endorsements, if they obtained their CLP after February 7, 2022. Only U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents are eligible for a CDL in South Carolina. A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) must be held for at least 14 days before taking the skills test. If a CLP expires by more than nine months, the knowledge test must be retaken. |
workspace_premium South Carolina license tiers
South Carolina offers multiple tiers of cdl truck driver licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Class A | N/A |
| Class B | N/A |
| Class C | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleSouth Carolina license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk