How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in South Carolina (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Carolina employs about 34,170 CDL truck drivers earning a median $51,130 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a CDL Truck Driver here means completing FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years, then applying through Department of Motor Vehicles.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in South Carolina

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
154.3$3,390 in-state / $5,958 out-of-state$47,29951%Yes*150 mi
251.5$5,210 in-state / $8,354 out-of-state$53,08432%Yes*14 mi
350.6$4,546 in-state / $8,620 out-of-state$58,78330%Yes*69 mi
450.1$3,388 in-state / $5,956 out-of-state$40,63543%Yes*111 mi
548.8$3,330 in-state / $5,898 out-of-state$44,29342%Yes*120 mi
646.8$3,380 in-state / $5,948 out-of-state$37,26565%Yes*131 mi
745.7$3,400 in-state / $5,968 out-of-state$44,62138%Yes*141 mi
835.2$5,664 in-state / $6,024 out-of-state$36,01721%—81 mi
931.5Contact school for pricing$34,39378%—143 mi
1026.7Contact school for pricing$34,39359%—78 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

South Carolina employs approximately 34,170 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,130 1. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 237,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a CDL Truck Driver in South Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: ELDT from a Training Provider Registry school (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years
  • Licensing authority: Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Exam: state CDL skills test
  • Median wage (South Carolina): $51,130 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in South Carolina

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in South Carolina? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through Department of Motor Vehicles.

How long does it take? Most people finish FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Department of Motor Vehicles.

Do I need a license in South Carolina? Yes. South Carolina credentials this role through Department of Motor Vehicles 3. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in South Carolina is $51,130 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,330 and experienced professionals can earn $77,070 or more 1.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in South Carolina

  1. Meet age, record, and medical rules. Interstate CDL driving is generally 21 and up; many states allow intrastate CDL at 18. Pass a DOT medical exam from an NRCME examiner.
  2. Complete FMCSA ELDT. Take Entry-Level Driver Training from a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Get a CLP and pass the skills test. Earn a commercial learner’s permit, practice, then pass the skills test at the state driver-license office.
  4. Receive the CDL and endorsements. The state issues the CDL. Add endorsements the job needs. Confirm current rules with the state DMV, not a parent transportation agency homepage.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in South Carolina

CDL truck drivers in South Carolina complete FMCSA ELDT, pass a DOT medical exam, and earn a state-issued CDL. This is a weeks-long path, not a multi-year apprenticeship. See Department of Motor Vehicles 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet age, record, and DOT medical rules.

  2. Complete ELDT on the Training Provider Registry.

  3. Get a CLP and pass the skills test.

  4. Receive the CDL and needed endorsements from the state DMV.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Motor Vehicles before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia18,700$56,120$58,020$44,240$77,490
Charleston-North Charleston6,020$55,150$57,950$41,590$77,550
Columbia5,630$51,280$56,240$37,750$78,990
Greenville-Anderson-Greer5,240$53,080$56,230$40,190$77,070
Spartanburg3,630$50,700$56,890$41,030$79,260
Augusta-Richmond County3,250$47,920$53,370$37,240$75,390
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach1,960$46,360$48,310$37,960$60,190
Florence1,590$55,550$56,950$39,540$75,160
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal730$52,530$54,510$39,420$71,300
Sumter480$46,500$49,580$36,880$77,990

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 34,170 CDL truck drivers 1. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 4.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a cdl truck driver in South Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Carolina.

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in South Carolina is $51,130, which is $6,310 below the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data 1.

In South Carolina

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Department of Motor Vehicles - Licensing Information: http://www.scdmvonline.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)