Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety is crucial for reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the road.

The term commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle—

1. Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or
2. Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
3. Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
4. Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.

Large commercial motor vehicles are essential for business and economy, transporting thousands of goods across South Carolina every day. However, the size and weight of these vehicles can pose increased risks for everyone on the highway if not respected properly. The overall size and weight of CMVs reduces the vehicle’s handling and increases its stopping distances, which increases the likelihood of collisions, especially in adverse conditions. Strict enforcement of weight regulations for large CMVs is critical to reduce these risks and ensure safer highways for all drivers.

When trucks are overloaded, the dangers to both infrastructure and public safety increase significantly. Vehicles that exceed legal weight limits place an additional strain on roads and bridges, accelerating wear and increasing the risk of structural failures. Furthermore, overweight trucks have adverse environmental costs through increased fuel consumption. 

South Carolina State Transport Police officers perform size and weight inspections on trucks traveling through the state to help keep CMV drivers, other motorists, and the state’s highway system safe from these risks. Through many scale facilities and roadside enforcement efforts, STP conducts an average of 50,000 to 60,000 inspections annually. From these enforcement efforts, more than 14,000 unsafe vehicles and drivers are removed from our roadways each year.

Size and Weight Program Resources 

• South Carolina Size and Weight Guidelines | SCDOT (PDF)
• Map of Load Restricted Bridges in South Carolina | SCDOT
• Oversize Overweight Permits | SCDOT
• STP Escort Request Form (PDF)

DataQs

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) DataQs is an online system for motor carriers, commercial drivers, Federal and state agencies, and the public to submit their concerns about publicly available Federal and state data contained in FMCSA data systems, or to submit requests for copies of inspection reports. DataQs automatically forwards requests to the appropriate office for resolution and then tracks the status of each request. DataQs:

• Provides a website to accept Requests for Data Review for all states and Inspection Report Requests for most states, as well as supporting documentation (fax and/or file upload capability).
• Sends a confirmation email to the filer that the request was submitted.
• Notifies FMCSA and/or state partner staff when requests are received.
• Accepts FMCSA and/or state partner postings and responses related to each request.
• Automatically notifies users of request submission, response entry, status updates, and documentation upload.
• Provides reporting capability based on user-selected parameters.
• Tracks the status of each request from submission through resolution.

Challenges can be submitted for inspection reports or collisions involving Commercial Motor Vehicles:

Inspection Challenges:

• Never received a copy or lost the report
• Citation associated with a violation on an inspection
• Violation is incorrect, listed multiple times, or missing Intermodal Equipment Provider (IEP)/shipper information
• Not mine (wrong motor carrier or driver)
• Inspection missing from my report
• Duplicate (same inspection listed multiple times)
• Inspection report contains incorrect information / Other

Crash Challenges:

• Not Mine (wrong motor carrier or driver)
• Not an FMCSA-reportable crash
• Duplicate (same crash listed multiple times)
• Crash record missing from carrier or driver report
• Crash report contains incorrect information (for example, an incorrect fatality count)
• Post-crash inspection
• Other/I don't know

Read more about DataQs.

Truck Parking for CMV Drivers

As a commercial motor vehicle driver, we know that you are required to comply with “Hours of Service,” which specifies the number and length of rest periods to help ensure you are able to stay awake and alert while operating your commercial motor vehicle.

South Carolina has several weight stations in the state where CMVs can park. Please see the list below for the closest location near you. 

Please note, there are no public restrooms at these locations.

For additional resources on federal Hours of Service requirements and additional resources for drivers, please visit FMCAS’s website.