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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. However, until that system is completed, 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…
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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.
I know someone who has been issued a SC CDL who has seizures and multiple brain tumors of which one is on the brain stem…how is this possible?
@ Jody L
Someone did not tell the whole truth on the intake information. They should have had to supply proper documentation from their treating physicians before they would have been considered otherwise.
I have a valid dot from North Carolina. Can I transfer it to South Carolina?
@ Kelly
Yes, your medical certification is federal.
I take ambien cr for sleeping, my dr informed me that it is on restricted list,what do you do in this case been on it for years, also use Cpap machine informed me I need to show study of this for one month . Have had spotless record no wrecks,violations of any kind, this is fist time I have been disqualified for taking a med that my Dr has prescribed.
@Roger
Ambien is on a restricted list, however since you’ve been on it for many years get a medical release from your prescribing doctor for the CME to make a better informed decision.
Yes, you need a 30-day report with 70% compliance for you CPAP usage.
Where can I get a total list of allowed and not allowed meds?
How do I go about getting a DOT physical card?
@Benny
See our free DOT Physical Exam Guidebook.
Where can I find a Doctor office to perform the physical
Dr. Joseph Russo
1605 Locust Hill Rd
Suite 101
Greer, SC 29651
864 848-4992 (call for appointment)
My CDL medical certificate expires July 1st. I went to get a physical and they told me since I have had a sleep study done in the past year I would need to show a printout of proof that I have worn a CPAP machine for 30 days and the readings. They said they could complete a physical on me with the stipulation pending that I bring in the printout that I have worn the device for 30 days. I am in the process of getting the device, but it will probably be August 10th before I can submit my these results. Will I lose my CDL?
@Ryan
You will not lose your CDL but your medical card will expire and you cannot drive on an expired medical card. You will not be able to get a new medical card until you can provide at least 30 days of compliant CPAP use.
In the state of South Carolina if you work for two different companies that requires a DOT physical do you need to have a physical for both companies, or could you work with both companies under one physical?
@JC
Your DOT medical card is connected with your driver’s license. That is how the regulation works. You need a medical card to be able to drive a vehicle for commercial purposes. So all you need is one medical card.
A new employer may have their own rules which are stricter than the FMCSA regulations, and may want you to have a DOT physical with a medical examiner of their choice. This is the only reason why you may need to take another DOT physical, even if you have a valid medical card.
if I have a cdl and just noticed my medical card has expired a month ago, will I loose my cdl prevelege if I go get a new medical card?
@Mandy
Each state has a different downgrade process. You’ll need to contact your local drivers license department about this.
If its been a month ago SC will suspend your cdl until you get your medical certificate. You may be driving on a suspended license.
I live in Myrtle Beach SC now, from New Jersey where I had a Disability Card, I want to know if SC has an application for me to fill out, so I can update and receive a new card here?
@ Vincent
Why not check with SC drivers license department and see what they have to say about this issue.
im in mass..im a usps “EX” driver in custodial who still wants to keep my cdl in good standing…can I just self certify without a DOT card?,im not driving anymore..thanx…
I have an ejection fraction of 38% can i get a class B school bus endorsement?
@Joe
You would not pass as an interstate driver, so check with your local drivers license department and see what their policy is.
I heard that you now have to have a current DOT physical or you lose your CDL…is there any truth to that?
Very Very true. SC will suspend your license until you get your new medical certificate
If we have an inspection team working for DOT (subcontractor) is there a medical requirement. They are not driving (no CLD licensed required tasking).
@Monica
Would need more information. Are you doing medical card for drivers or not?
Best to check with DOT.
I have had a sleep study done and have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. I don’t have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol but was told by a doctor who was giving me my DOT physical that he would not sign off on my paper work so I could get a current DOT medical card because of my sleep study results. How can he ruin my career based on a sleep study? I use my sleep machine every evening. Please assist, help! I am at my wits end.
Thanks
@Dion
Did you ask what the issue was that the DOT examiner would not sign off on?
If the results are within normal limits and you have shown good compliance, then just get a medical release form completed by the sleep doctor and you should be good to go.
I had a mi in oct 8 2014 …recently I have a ejection fraction of 40% as of jan 16 2015..Do I need a release form from my cardiologist, and my primary Doctor??? for my dot physical..
@Allen
Yes, medical release forms from both will be needed in this case.
Can I get qualified to drive with a class b cdl in intrastate commerce while on insulin & low dose blood pressure medicine & getting cleared from a ischemic stroke?
@Ronald
You need to check with your state DLD and confirm whether you can qualify with this list of medical conditions and medications. Federal DOT would have some major questions that would require more information.
See also FAQ – Medications.
I am on pain medication for a bad back…norcotic….am I still allowed my dot card???
I am on pain medication for a bad back..norcotic…will that stop me from renewing my dot health card??
@Eddie
It might, depending on what drugs and their side effects.
Read FAQ – Medications
Is there a DOT Dr. That will examine someone that’s on dialysis . Have been driving for two years.
@Saundra
Any and all DOT examiners on the NRCME can do the examination.
The limitation will be your present condition and whether you are in possession of a insulin/diabetes waiver.
I’m 64 year old medically retired since 2008 but would like to keep my cdl. I went to classes to earn it, and it wasn’t cheap! the last two renewals has cost me close to 300.00 dollars for medical cards. as a driver I knew what the law required and most of the times the fine for a expired card was 25.00dollars. some drivers went for years or up to time for cdl renewal time and or never got caught or just keep paying the fine. when a few drivers mess up everyone else pays, if the fine would hit the wallet harder that would not happen but once. if I ever decided to go to commerical driving I know I’m requried to have a up dated medical card and would get it. why can’t the dot put a letter code on the licence to indicate that the cdl driver is not a active driver. I’m sure the DOT can come up with something. thanks
As a carrier, drivers lack of med card registration (or long form as required by some states)
we need to know the statues of each driver so we will know if their CDL priviliges are still intact. Some states have a website that allows us to put in the drivers license number and/or other identifying information to be sure we are not allowing someone to drive who has not properly updated their med certificate and or self-certification. This directly affects the carriers CSA scores in the Driver Fitness catagory. Each state should provide this website that could be accessed by the Carrier with the proper identification. We have had drivers tell us they faxed or mailed in the information only to find that it never got to its intended destination. We like to be compliant but it is made extremely difficult if we do not have a way of verifying the self-certification/med card update.