Transporting Students

If you're planning to drive students in the State of South Carolina, you must follow the information found in the charts below. These requirements apply when transporting students to or from school, school-related activities, or child care.

    The Number of Passengers the  
Vehicle is Rated to Transport 
Type of Facility  Type of Vehicle Required  10 to 15

16 or more

Either a Class B or Class C CDL is required with a passenger endorsement, depending on the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle
School
(Public or Private)		 School bus*
(any size)		 No CDL required,
driver will need
USDOT Medical Certificate
Daycare School bus*
(any size)		  No CDL required,
driver will need
USDOT Medical Certificate
Church
with daycare		 School bus*
(any size)		 No CDL required,
driver will need
USDOT Medical Certificate
Church
without daycare		 No school bus
required		 No CDL required
*A school bus is identified by the manufacturer's label located inside the vehicle.

The label should have a classification or vehicle type which would indicate a school bus.
The label must say the vehicle meets federal school bus standards.

 SC Code Section 56-5-195