(A) The commercial driver license must be marked "Commercial Driver License" or "CDL", and must be, to the maximum extent practicable, tamper proof. It must include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(1) the name and residential address of the person;
(2) the person's unobstructed photograph;
(3) a physical description of the person including sex, height, and weight;
(4) date of birth;
(5) a number or identifier considered appropriate by the Department of Motor Vehicles;
(6) the person's signature;
(7) the class or type of commercial motor vehicles which the person may drive together with any endorsements or restrictions;
(8) the name of this State; and
(9) the dates between which the license is valid.
(B) The holder of a valid commercial driver license may drive all vehicles in the class for which that license is issued and all lesser classes of vehicles except motorcycles. Vehicles which require an endorsement may not be driven unless the proper endorsement appears on the license. Commercial driver licenses may be issued with the following classifications, endorsements, and restrictions:
(1) Classifications:
(a) Class A: A combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds.
(b) Class B: A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of ten thousand pounds gross vehicle weight rating.
(c) Class C: A single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that are not Class A or B vehicles but either designed to transport sixteen or more passengers including the driver, or are required to be placarded for hazardous materials under 49 C.F.R. Part 172, subpart F.
(2) Endorsements are added to commercial driver licenses as required under Part 383.153 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
(3) Restrictions are added to commercial driver licenses as required under Part 383.153 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
(C) Before issuing a commercial driver license, the department must obtain a driving record through the Commercial Driver License Information System, the National Driver Register, and from each state in which the person has been licensed.
(D) Within ten days after issuing a commercial driver license, the department must notify the Commercial Driver License Information System of that fact, providing all information required to insure identification of the person.
(E) Upon payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars and any fee assessed by any associated federal agency, a commercial driver license for which there is no associated HAZMAT endorsement issued by the department expires eight years from the date of issue. Upon payment of a fee of fifteen dollars and any fee assessed by any associated federal agency, a commercial driver license for which there is an associated HAZMAT endorsement issued by the department expires five years from the date the applicant passed the Transportation Security Administration threat assessment.
(F) A person applying for renewal of a commercial driver's license must complete the application form required by Section 56-1-2090(A), and provide updated information and required certifications. Every applicant must take and pass the written test for hazardous material endorsement to obtain or retain the endorsement. The person also shall submit to and pass a vision test.
HISTORY: 1989 Act No. 151, Section 2; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1353; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 124; 1998 Act No. 258, Section 22; 2000 Act No. 265, Section 1; 2005 Act No. 42, Sections 7, 8, eff May 3, 2005; 2010 Act No. 216, Section 4, eff June 7, 2010; 2014 Act No. 274 (H.5014), Section 1, eff June 9, 2014; 2019 Act No. 86 (H.3789), Section 5, eff November 24, 2019; 2022 Act No. 148 (H.4319), Section 4, eff May 11, 2022.
Effect of Amendment
2019 Act No. 86, Section 5, rewrote (E).
2022 Act No. 148, Section 4, in (A)(2), substituted "unobstructed photograph" for "color photograph".
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Section 56-1-30. Persons exempt from licensing requirements.
Section 56-1-35. Driver's license for members of the armed services and dependents.
Section 56-1-40. Persons who may not be licensed or have their license renewed; beginner's permit.
Section 56-1-70. Temporary driver's permit.
Section 56-1-80. Application for license or permit.
Section 56-1-87. REAL ID card issuance.
Section 56-1-90. Evidence required to obtain a driver's license or identification card.
Section 56-1-100. Application by unemancipated minor.
Section 56-1-120. Release from imputed liability by cancellation of permit or license.
Section 56-1-130. License examinations; basic and classified licenses.
Section 56-1-135. Designated driver for fire extinguishment, special endorsement; safety officers.
Section 56-1-140. Issuance of license; necessary fees, signature, and contents; veteran designation.
Section 56-1-146. Surrender of driver's license by person convicted of certain crimes.
Section 56-1-171. Suspension for failure to pay child support; route-restricted license.
Section 56-1-175. Issuance of conditional driver's license.
Section 56-1-180. Special restricted licenses for certain minors.
Section 56-1-185. Removal of restrictions postponed; suspension of license.
Section 56-1-190. License must be carried and exhibited on demand.
Section 56-1-200. Duplicate for lost or destroyed license; fee.
Section 56-1-205. Hearing impaired designations on driver's licenses.
Section 56-1-215. Renewal of expired license.
Section 56-1-218. Driver's license extensions.
Section 56-1-221. Medical Advisory Board.
Section 56-1-222. Driver's licenses issued to wearers of bioptic telescopic lenses.
Section 56-1-225. Reexamination of drivers involved in four accidents within twenty-four months.
Section 56-1-230. Notification of change of address or name.
Section 56-1-240. Cancellation and surrender of license.
Section 56-1-245. Conditions for waiver of license reinstatement fee.
Section 56-1-260. Effect of cancellation of license.
Section 56-1-270. Suspension, revocation, or restriction of license on re-examination.
Section 56-1-280. Mandatory suspension or revocation.
Section 56-1-285. Revocation or refusal to renew license for nonpayment of fees.
Section 56-1-288. Tax refund garnishment for failure to comply with financial responsibility.
Section 56-1-290. Revocation for operating unlicensed taxis in certain counties.
Section 56-1-292. Suspension for failure to pay for gasoline.
Section 56-1-300. Suspension or revocation of license without preliminary hearing.
Section 56-1-310. Suspension or revocation of nonresident's driving privilege.
Section 56-1-330. Courts shall report certain convictions.
Section 56-1-340. Reports of convictions and records may be sent to other states; fees.
Section 56-1-345. Fees charged for Freedom of Information Act request.
Section 56-1-360. Form and proof of notice.
Section 56-1-370. Review of cancellation, suspension, or revocation of license.
Section 56-1-380. Period of suspension or revocation; renewal or restoration of license.
Section 56-1-385. Reinstatement of permanently revoked driver's license.
Section 56-1-390. Fee for reinstatement of license; disposition of fee proceeds.
Section 56-1-395. Driver's license reinstatement fee payment program.
Section 56-1-396. Driver's license suspension amnesty period.
Section 56-1-430. Appeal from conviction making suspension or revocation mandatory as supersedeas.
Section 56-1-440. Penalties for driving without license; summary court jurisdiction.
Section 56-1-465. Notice of suspension required.
Section 56-1-478. Reciprocal agreements for collection of fines, fees, and other costs.
Section 56-1-480. Unlawful to permit unauthorized person to drive.
Section 56-1-490. Unlawful for parent or guardian to permit unauthorized minor to drive.
Section 56-1-500. Penalties for violations of article.
Section 56-1-510. Unlawful use of license; fraudulent application.
Section 56-1-540. Files, records, and indexes to be kept.
Section 56-1-550. Fee for expediting request for copy of document or record.
Section 56-1-610. Short title.
Section 56-1-620. Legislative findings and policy.
Section 56-1-630. Definitions.
Section 56-1-640. Reciprocity in reporting convictions; information to be reported.
Section 56-1-650. Effect of certain convictions on status of license in home state.
Section 56-1-670. Effect on other laws or agreements.
Section 56-1-680. Administration; exchange of information.
Section 56-1-690. Withdrawal from compact.
Section 56-1-710. "Conviction" defined.
Section 56-1-720. Point system established; schedule of points for violations.
Section 56-1-730. Warning tickets not assigned point value.
Section 56-1-747. What constitutes conviction for purposes of Section 56-1-746.
Section 56-1-750. Computation of points.
Section 56-1-760. Violations considered in suspension to be disregarded in subsequent suspension.
Section 56-1-770. Points reduced for completing defensive driving course.
Section 56-1-780. Reports of certain convictions to Department of Motor Vehicles.
Section 56-1-800. Certified copies of reports as evidence of convictions.
Section 56-1-810. Notice of suspension; surrender of license.
Section 56-1-820. Hearing on suspension.
Section 56-1-850. Other provisions for mandatory suspension, revocation, or cancellation unaffected.
Section 56-1-1010. Legislative declaration of policy.
Section 56-1-1020. "Habitual offender" and "conviction" defined.
Section 56-1-1105. Penalties for driving while license cancelled, suspended, or revoked.
Section 56-1-1110. Article does not affect existing laws.
Section 56-1-1130. Notification of potential offenders.
Section 56-1-1320. Provisional drivers' licenses.
Section 56-1-1330. Applicant required to complete alcohol traffic safety program.
Section 56-1-1360. Revocation of license for additional violations.
Section 56-1-1370. Second violations during specified suspended period.
Section 56-1-1380. Effect of convictions outside of State.
Section 56-1-1390. Appeals; notice of hearing.
Section 56-1-1720. Licensing requirement; minimum age; violations and penalties.
Section 56-1-1730. Eligibility, suspension, revocation, or cancellation of moped operator's license.
Section 56-1-1770. Application for moped operator's license.
Section 56-1-2005. Administration of South Carolina Commercial Driver's License program.
Section 56-1-2010. Short title.
Section 56-1-2020. Construction.
Section 56-1-2030. Definitions.
Section 56-1-2040. Commercial drivers to have one driver's license only; exception.
Section 56-1-2045. Qualifications to be student at truck driver training school.
Section 56-1-2060. Employer's responsibilities.
Section 56-1-2100. Commercial driver license; contents; classifications of vehicles.
Section 56-1-2110. Disqualification from driving commercial motor vehicle.
Section 56-1-2111. Circumstances barring issuance of license.
Section 56-1-2115. Commercial driver's license re-examination.
Section 56-1-2140. Report of conviction of nonresident licensee; required action.
Section 56-1-2150. Authorized drivers of commercial motor vehicles.
Section 56-1-2156. Failure of commercial motor vehicle drivers to comply with lane restrictions.
Section 56-1-2210. Definitions
Section 56-1-2230. Failure to report and employing disqualified employee; fines.
Section 56-1-3360. Misuse of card prohibited.
Section 56-1-3380. Information submitted in application for card confidential; exceptions.
Section 56-1-3400. False or fictitious information or fraud a violation.