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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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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?