TransTech’s Charleston area campus is located on Meeting Street Road in North Charleston, putting it right in the middle of one of the most active freight markets in the Southeast. The campus serves students from across the Lowcountry including Goose Creek, Ladson, Hanahan, Summerville, and Moncks Corner.
Our Class A CDL program gives students the knowledge and hands-on skills to operate a tractor-trailer professionally. Classroom instruction covers air brakes, logbooks, cargo documentation, and trip planning. Range training focuses on pre-trip inspection and backing maneuvers. Students then take those skills onto public roads for real behind-the-wheel time. TransTech will help you schedule your CDL skills test at the SCDMV. The program is ELDT compliant and can be completed in as little as four weeks. No prior experience required.
Class B CDL training is also available at the Charleston campus for students pursuing careers in straight truck, dump truck, delivery, construction, or waste and recycling driving. The Charleston region’s construction boom and port-related distribution activity keep Class B demand strong throughout Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.
Four weeks, Monday-Friday, 8am–5pm.
Ten weeks of Saturday–Sunday instruction, 7am–5pm. A solid option for students who need to keep working while they train for something better.
North Charleston sits at the center of one of the busiest port economies on the East Coast. The Port of Charleston is the fastest-growing major port in North America and handles cargo moving to and from more than 150 countries. Every container that comes off a ship needs a truck to move it inland, and with the port actively expanding its capacity and infrastructure, the demand for CDL drivers in this market is only growing. I-26 and I-526 connect the port to distribution centers and manufacturing facilities across the Lowcountry and into the rest of South Carolina. Beyond the port, the region’s rapidly growing population is fueling construction activity, retail distribution, and healthcare logistics that all depend on qualified drivers.
North Charleston consistently ranks as one of the highest-paying truck driver markets in South Carolina, driven by port drayage demand and the density of freight operations in the area. Carriers hiring in the region include TMC Transportation, Schneider National, Stevens Transport, and Werner Enterprises, alongside regional drayage and intermodal operators tied directly to the port. TransTech’s job placement program connects graduates with carriers hiring across local, regional, and OTR routes.
Entry-level CDL drivers in the Charleston area typically earn:
$50,000 – $70,000 per year
Based on data from Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor for the Charleston, SC market. North Charleston ranks as the top-paying city in South Carolina for truck drivers. Drivers in port drayage, regional, or OTR roles commonly earn $70,000–$90,000, with higher pay tied to route type, endorsements, and experience.
New classes start every Monday. Fill out the form on this page to connect with admissions.
View Next Charleston Class StartTransTech Charleston offers both Class A and Class B CDL training. Both programs are ELDT compliant and approved by the State of South Carolina.
After completing training, TransTech will help you schedule your skills test at a local SCDMV location.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old (21 for interstate commerce or hazardous materials), hold a valid South Carolina driver’s license, have an acceptable driving record, and pass a DOT physical and drug screen. Your license cannot be suspended, disqualified, or revoked, and you cannot hold more than one driver’s license.
Full-time students finish in four weeks. The weekend program runs ten weeks and is built for people who need to stay employed while training.
None required. The program is designed to take students from the beginning, and you will earn your Commercial Learner’s Permit during the first week.
TransTech is approved by SC Works and works with WIOA offices throughout South Carolina. Eligible students may be able to use SC Works grants to help cover the cost of training. Contact admissions to find out what is available for your situation.
The Meeting Street Road campus draws students from across the Lowcountry, with common areas including Goose Creek, Ladson, Hanahan, Summerville, Moncks Corner, and communities throughout Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. The campus is accessible from I-26 and I-526.