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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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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.