Modernized Commercial Driver’s License Testing Rolled Out in North Charleston
Beginning the week of Oct. 9, 2023, commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants in the Charleston area witnessed a revamped version of the road test, marking a significant shift towards modernization. The transition occurred at the branch office located at 3790 Leeds Ave. in North Charleston, making it the fourth location across South Carolina to implement the updated CDL skills test. The other three offices—Kingstree, Conway, and Seneca—had initiated this modernized testing approach in July and September, respectively.
The new format is designed in alignment with the latest national standards, spotlighting the modern technology that has increasingly become a part of the trucking industry. According to Kevin Shwedo, the Executive Director of the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles, the move epitomizes the SCDMV’s continuous efforts towards broadening the availability of CDL testing across various locations, leveraging the modernized test format.
The switch has also resulted in the cessation of Class E and F driver’s license examinations at the North Charleston branch, a category often pursued by RV operators. These examinations will, however, continue to be available at the Orangeburg branch office at 1720 Charleston Highway and the Beaufort office at 28 Munch Drive.
The rollout of the modernized test is not just a one-off but part of a larger initiative slated to be extended to other DMV locations across South Carolina through the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. It signifies a doubling of the current CDL testing offices from nine to 18 upon completion of the initiative. This expansion underscores the state’s commitment to staying abreast with the evolving demands and technological advancements in the commercial driving domain.
Despite the shift to a modernized testing system, there haven't been any alterations to the knowledge tests or the prerequisites for obtaining a commercial learner’s permit. To aid the transition, a new manual has been published, available both online on the agency website under the CDL Manual and at branch offices for purchase, intended to equip applicants with the necessary preparation for the revamped testing format.
The modernized CDL test continues to be offered on an appointment-only basis. Scheduling remains a streamlined process, with appointments being easily bookable online via the Schedule a Road Test link on the official website.
The cost for the application remains unchanged with the introduction of the modernized test. However, applicants who have previously passed one or more parts of the three-part CDL exam under the traditional format must convey their credit to another traditional test location, as the credits cannot be transferred to a modernized test location.
This transition to a modernized CDL testing system reflects South Carolina’s broader objective of enhancing the commercial driving sector’s adaptability to contemporary technological advancements while expanding testing availability across the state.