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South Carolina CDL Requirements
Everyone in the State of South Carolina who wishes to obtain or who currently holds a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) are federally required to inform the DMV of the type of commerce they plan to operate.
Interstate Non-Excepted
You must meet the Federal DOT medical certificate requirements.
Intrastate Non-Excepted
You must meet the state driver qualification requirements.
Note: All current South Carolina Commercial Driver License and beginner’s permit holders will receive a letter notifying them of the requirement. Self-certification must be done before January 30, 2014. If you do not meet the January 30, 2014 deadline you will be in jeopardy of losing your Commercial Driver’s License.
Submit your Self-Certification and Medical Certificate to South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
Submit the following two documents:
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Holders Medical Certification Requirements – download the form DL-405A here from South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Copy of your valid DOT medical card. Enlarge the copy to ensure that all information is legible.
By Mail:
SCDMV-CDL Help Desk
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0028
By Fax:
(803) 896-2676 to the CDL Help Desk.
By Email:
CDLHelpDesk@scdmv.net
For email submission, please scan the documents, preferably in PDF.
In Person:
To any local SCDMV Office
Please contact the CDL Help Desk at 803-896-2673 if you have any questions.
Keep Your Medical Certificate Current With South Carolina DMV
If you self-certify Non-Excepted Interstate and submit a medical certificate, you are required to keep a valid medical card on file with South Carolina DMV.
You may submit a legible copy of your medical certificate (medical card only, not the long form) to the DMV by mail, fax, email, or in person, as described above.
Other Information:
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles official website
CDL Help Desk: 803-896-2673
Special Information Updates Pertaining To ALL STATES
MEDICAL EXAMINERS MUST CONTINUE TO ISSUE MEDICAL CERTIFICATES TO ALL DRIVERS
The FMCSA has requested that all medical examiners continue providing drivers with a paper copy of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate – Form MCSA-5876, so that Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders can provide a copy to the State licensing agency, and the non-CDL drivers can provide the documentation to their employers and Federal and State enforcement officials.
The Agency is currently completing efforts to put into place an electronic system to enable medical examiners to transmit the medical certificate information from the National Registry system to the State licensing agencies.
Until that system is completed, which compliance date according FMCSA is June 23, 2025, medical examiners must continue to issue paper copies of the medical certificates to drivers who pass the medical exam.
ALL DRIVERS MUST CONTINUE TO CARRY A PAPER COPY OF THEIR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Commercial Drivers – You still need to carry a paper copy of your medical card, until FMCSA announces that this is no longer necessary.
Your Feedback Is Welcome
Dealing with Federal DOT Regulations across the board is tough enough!
But when it comes to State Regulations — There are 50 different sets of rules. Someone could move the goal posts at any time…
To help us all avoid the black eye experience — AARGH! —
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Is there a medical appeal process?
@ Kim
Besides a second opinion? You can try to contact FMCSA.
After cdl’s was suspended and all requirements met fines, SAP, eye exam and new medical card. Was told that my license were expired even though the expiration date is not until 2029 on the physical license. Was asked to surrender cdl’s just to get regular license. Would have to take written & tests for cdl’s all over again???????
@ Vanessa B
Go up the ladder to a supervisor at DLD and ask the same questions. This does not make any sense.
I work for municipality I left a few years ago and came back. I had my CDL and Health Card before leaving the first time. Before I decided to come back I had to get my Health Card renewed. They are telling me I have to go get another dot Health cars because I didn’t get it while I was employed with them. Is this correct? I’ve never heard of this
@ Michael
This is not correct, by DOT/FMCSA regulations. But it may be the company’s policy.
I got my DOT done in NC can i use it in SC
I just got my class b permit in sc though.
@ Tianavm
Yes.
My CDL expires on 7/04/22 and my medical card expires on 7/09/22. I went today (7/01) to get my CDL renewed and was told they could not renew my CDL because my medical card would be expiring within a few weeks. It is still valid for 8 more days! How can they not accept a valid medical card? My plan was to renew my CDL before they expired on the 4th then go get medically certified again before the 9th but SCDT said no. I have never heard of such a thing. Is there a law that says if your medical card is expiring soon you can not get your CDL’s renewed???
@ Tim H
You are dealing with the state and its bureaucracy. Their state, their rules.
It must be a made-up law because I can not find it anywhere when researching the CDL renewal requirements. It just says to have a valid medical card. I just don’t see how they can do that because it’s still good. Hopefully other drivers will read this and not run into this problem also.
You just said the reason why they wouldn’t. Why would a state issue your renewal knowing that if they did renew your CDL, not knowing for certain that you’d be able to pass a required physical? Let’s just say that you were able to renew just shy of your 8 days 9f physical card expiring and you failed your physical, but you decided to drive anyways and get in an accident that killed someone or yourself. How’s that gonna look for the state? Not very good.
I’m afraid the state is correct the reason being you can go get your medical card 30 days in advance. You can get your medical card 60 days in advance. You can get your medical card six months in advance. You do not have to wait to the last minute every year I get my two weeks in advance if it’s due on February 14 I will get it around February 1st. You can get your medical card anytime before it expires but it is a rule with the state of South Carolina. If your medical card expires within 30 days of your license renewing, you must get the medical card first.!
That’s just the way it is
I got a letter to renew my dot and send to dmv, but i misplace the letter.. How do i get this info
@ Kenneth J
Contact your local drivers license department. They should guide you through their process.
I have a CDL just retired a few months ago and my medical card is expiring soon just wondering can I keep the CDL without a medical card as long as I’m not driving a commercial vehicle.
@ Clarence McD
Each state has differing requirements. Most request a valid medical card to maintain a valid class A cdl. Check and confirm with your local dld.
At the south carolina dmv cant you check a box to where you dont have to keep getting a medical card and still drive a truck.But you just can’t drive the interstate
@ Tommy L W
That would be best answered by your local drivers license department, not DOT/FMCSA.
My health card ran out sept 17,And a doctors takeing his sweet time about getting back to office and signing it.Is there a grace period on my health card here in south carolina.
@ Tommy L W
DOT/FMCSA has extended, due to the covid issues, a grace period. That is for the federal registry. Not sure how the states will respond. Confirm the extension with your local drivers license department.
No DMV needs that on file. Get the physical keep the CDL till you absolutely know your done.
My medical card ran out sept,17.And my doc takeing his sweet time about signing it.That will be oct 4 is there a grace period in sc for that.Google says till nov.30 is that true.
Absolutely not. They will downgrade you to a class C license. I’ve actually been slated to have mine downgraded due to a paperwork mishap. When they first started this compliance measure, the information stream was lackluster at best. Now, they have everything on track. And, they won’t hesitate to downgrade your license. I think there is a grace period. But, I ce that period is up, you’re downgraded permanently until you can 9ass the CDL course requirements again. Yeah, the written and road test. Big hassle. Do try to keep it current!
If you change address but stayed in the same state do I need to get a new medical card
@ Joe
It probably makes life easier with a DOT officer having medical card and license match. Most times it isn’t a big issue, but each state is different and you need to confirm with your local drivers license department.
Hi my dot card expired 5/10/21. But I got new one on may 4 for may 4th 23. I emailed the paper work in. I got a letter today saying I had 10 day from the letter or I would be downgraded . Please help
@ Drew
You need to contact your local drivers license department and find out what the issue is. Probably just documents crossing in the mail.
My nonexempt interstate CDL has been disqualified due to peripheral neuropathy in my feet I need to know if I can run non-exempt intrastate in South Carolina. And what are the medical requirements for that.
I’m 62 years old as of 04/13/21
@ Steven M
If you run intra-state you fall under your states rules and regulations. Check with your South Carolina drivers license department for your best answer.
Hello, I’m moving down to SC from PA, living in temporary housing without any kind of utility bills or any fees for that matter. Obviously, I can’t change my address to SC yet until my permanent residence is built. I hold a current DOT card that expires in about a week. Can I renew my DOT card with my current PA license? Or do I have to go back to PA to renew it?
@ charles m
You can get your medical card any where in the USA, just use your PA license in SC.
Got the notice for my medical card renewal for my CDL, I will be giving the CDL up but am on a trip to disney with family and will return March 12th and go to DMV to have it down graded.
@ gregory J Z
OK.
If i do not renew my medical card in South Carolina would I have to do all testing over before I could drive commercially again? I currently don’t use it at my job but I don’t want to loose it.
@ Kevin
You will need to check with your local drivers license department for your best answer.
Is it possible to operate a commercial vehicle without a DOT medical card if you’re just driving in the state of South Carolina
@ Sheldy
You will need to ask your states drivers license department this question.
I recently moved to SC from IN. IN will not release my license which is a CDL-B saying I first need to get a valid medical card. I don’t plan on driving in SC. I just want to keep my CDL. What can I do to get it released to SC?
@ Kenneth M
Get a DOT medical examination and turn it in to IN. Then they will release your cdl as a valid cdl.
If You’re License Is Suspended Do To A Unpaid Ticket , Does That mean your CDL is revoked? or will you still have your CDL after you get everything cleared up ?
@ John D
Most states will return your cdl license.
If you only have sight in one eye, can you still get a CDL in the state of South Carolina. Where or how could I find this information?
Thank you.
@ Paul W
Best bet is to check with your local drivers license department for the answer.
I have a friend that fell and hit his head in July and was taken to the ER for seizure like activity. He was cleared by a Neurologist and said all of his test were normal and no abnormality was found. Will this pose an issue when he renews his medical card.
@ Dyanne
Just make sure he takes a medical release form from his doctors. If there are no other issues and with proper documentation, he should do fine.
I have been trying to verify the Driver Qualification file requirements for inTRAstate drivers (>10,000 lbs but less than 26,000 – non hazardous) for the state of South Carolina (and NC).
I believe it to similar to the interstate requirements, but have not been able to verify.
@ Judy
Check with your local DLD office for the answer.
I Had A CDL For Years And When I Moved To South Carolina From Texas I Transferred It Over. But When I Had To Move Back To Oklahoma I Did Not Drive So When I Went To Change My License Over To Oklahoma They Told Me South Carolina Deemed Me Ineligible But I could Get A Regular License. Never Told Me Why But I Assume It Was Because My Medical Card Expired.So If I Went Back To Get My CDL Would I Have To Go Back Through All The Testing And Crap.Just Asking.
@ Stephen G
You need to verify the requirements in the state you want to get your cdl in.
I currently have a CDL but my medical has expired.
My license is due for nerewal in November.
I would like to downgrade my license.
What do I need to do?
@ Robert
Just go down to the drivers license department before your cdl expires and have it down-graded, before they downgrade you.