South Carolina's commercial transportation sector: Port of Charleston, BMW/Volvo manufacturing, military. 42,000+ heavy truck drivers serve the state.
42,000+
CDL Drivers
$68B
Freight Value
5.5%
Growth Rate
10%
Hispanic Workforce
| City | Drivers | Growth | Industry Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 12,000+ | 6.2%/yr | Port operations, manufacturing |
| Greenville-Spartanburg | 10,000+ | 5.8%/yr | BMW plant, I-85 corridor |
| Columbia | 8,000+ | 4.5%/yr | State capital, Fort Jackson |
| Myrtle Beach | 4,000+ | 4.0%/yr | Tourism logistics |
Average costs by metro area and program type
| Metro | Private School | Community College | Sponsored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $2,500-$6,000 | $1,200-$3,500 | $0 (2-yr contract) |
| Greenville | $2,500-$5,500 | $1,200-$3,000 | BMW vendor programs |
| Columbia | $2,000-$5,000 | $1,000-$3,000 | Military transition programs |
SC Works centers provide WIOA funding for CDL training.
SC has 400,000+ veterans near Fort Jackson, Shaw AFB, and Parris Island.
State-funded customized workforce training at no cost to qualifying employers.
Administered by South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Port of Charleston is the fastest-growing container port on the East Coast
BMW Spartanburg is the largest BMW plant globally — JIT delivery critical
I-85 corridor is a major manufacturing freight route with high enforcement
Hurricane season affects coastal operations from Charleston to Myrtle Beach
42,000+ drivers. 5.5% annual growth. Zero upfront investment.
“Charleston port growth mirrors Savannah. Our academy serves 150+ companies. Revenue: $12,500/month.”
— Daniel Lee, Palmetto CDL Academy
Compare DOT compliance requirements and training costs in states bordering South Carolina.
Figuring out how to pay for CDL school in South Carolina? Start with our free guide.