South Carolina's CDL manual and DMV CDL Practice Tests

for all endorsements

South Carolina's CDL Manual

Commercial Driver Handbook

Minimum Requirements For Getting A CDL In South Carolina:

  • You must be at least 18 years of age for intrastate driving and 21 years and above for interstate driving. You must be 21 years of age to receive a hazardous materials endorsement.
  • Must meet requirements for a South Carolina driver’s license.
  • Certify that you are in agreement with state motor carrier safety regulations.
  • Provide a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate
  • Provide proof of identity and legal presence and South Carolina residency
  • Provide your Social security number
  • Pass the CDL exams
  • Pass a vision screening test
  • When you apply for a CDL, the SC DMV will automatically run a background check against the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) and the Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) databases to check your driving history in other states.

Medical Requirements For Obtaining A South Carolina CDL License All commercial drivers of vehicles in interstate commerce with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of over 10,000 pounds are required to obtain and maintain a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (ME Certificate). CDL holders in South Carolina must provide their SDLA with a copy of their ME Certificate.

Self Certification All South Carolina CDL holders must declare to their State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) that they only operate or expect to operate commercially in 1 of 4 possible categories with their CDL. This process is called self-certification. The four categories are:

  • Interstate non-excepted: You are an Interstate non-excepted driver and must meet the Federal DOT medical card requirements (e.g. – you are "not excepted").
  • Interstate excepted: You are an Interstate excepted driver and do not have to meet the Federal DOT medical card requirements.
  • Intrastate non-excepted: You are an Intrastate non-excepted driver and are required to meet the medical requirements for the state of South Carolina.
  • Intrastate excepted: You are an Intrastate excepted driver and do not have to meet the medical requirements for the state of South Carolina.
  • DMV CDL Practice Tests

    General Knowledge

    The general knowledge test is the first of several tests that you will have to complete in order to get your CDL. The questions cover general information about commercial vehicles, driving, and vehicle inspections. The test has a total of 50 questions, and requires at least 40 correct answers to pass.

    Air Brakes

    You must have an Air brake endorsement on your driver's license to drive a vehicle equipped with an air brake system. This test will test your knowledge of the function, parts, and braking distance of air brakes. The test will consist of 25 questions, and at least 20 correct answers are needed to pass.

    Combination

    The combination endorsement allows you to drive a vehicle with a power unit and one trailer. This test will cover the "ins and outs" of operating articulated vehicles. The exam consists of 25 questions, and requires at least 20 correct to pass.

    Hazardous Material

    The Hazardous Material endorsement allows the driver to operate a vehicle containing items such as poisons, explosives, flammables, etc. You will also have to pass the TSA Hazardous Material Threat Assessment to get this endorsement. There are 30 questions, 24 correct required to pass.

    Tanker

    The Tanker endorsement allows the driver to operate a vehicle weighing more than 26,000 pounds designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material within a tank that is permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle. There are 20 questions, 16 correct required to pass.

    Doubles / Triples

    The Doubles/Triples endorsement is required for drivers to pull 2 trailers (doubles) or 3 trailers (triples) connected to a single power unit. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

    Passenger

    Bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement in order to operate a vehicle which seats 16 or more, including the driver. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

    School Bus

    School Bus Endorsement is required for any driver who operates a school bus. After the permit tests the training can be only completed by a local school district. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

    Pre Trip Inspection

    The Pre-Trip exam is an oral exam where you are expected to check the vehicle parts to insure it is safe for road use. The amount of parts you need to check increase with the size of the vehicle, and by type of vehicle.