DOT Physical Exams in Charlotte
Get your DOT physical at our Steele Creek or Plaza Midwood clinic, open 7 days. Same-day certification may be available if you qualify and all required information is complete. DOT exams are performed by medical examiners listed on the FMCSA National Registry; availability can vary. The exam usually takes 20–30 minutes; waiting or further evaluation can add time. Self-pay is $140 with the required DOT urinalysis included.
- ✓ Open 7 days at Steele Creek and Plaza Midwood
- ✓ $140 self-pay, DOT urinalysis included
- ✓ Medical card the same day if you qualify
- ✓ Reserve an arrival time or walk in; wait times vary
- ✓ Employer-authorized exams can be billed to an established account
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Who needs a DOT physical
Many drivers operating commercial motor vehicles in non-excepted interstate commerce need DOT medical certification, including qualifying:
- CDL drivers whose operating category requires medical certification
- Drivers of qualifying vehicles with a gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight rating, or actual weight, of 10,001 pounds or more
- Drivers of vehicles that require hazardous materials placards
- Drivers transporting 9–15 people for compensation or 16 or more people, including the driver, when covered by federal requirements
Some non-CDL drivers also need medical certification. Requirements and exceptions depend on the vehicle, type of operation and state rules; confirm with your employer or licensing agency.
What to bring to your DOT physical
Save time: download FMCSA’s driver health history form (MCSA-5875) and complete the driver information and health history section before you arrive. The medical examiner completes the examination and certification portions. No time? We can print one for you to fill out at the clinic. Then bring these to avoid a second visit:
- Your driver’s license
- A list of all your medications, with doses
- Glasses or contact lenses, and hearing aids if you use them
- Records for any condition your exam may ask about, such as a sleep study and CPAP report for sleep apnea
- Clearance letters requested by your specialists (cardiology, neurology, others)
- If you use insulin: the Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form, completed by your treating clinician; the medical examination must begin within 45 days after that clinician signs the form
Bring required records before the exam. If the examiner uses determination-pending status, requested information or further evaluation must be completed within 45 days. Pending status does not extend an existing medical certificate.
What happens during your DOT physical
Your exam follows the federal FMCSA standards for commercial drivers. It includes:
- A review of the health history form you complete
- A vision test
- A hearing check
- Blood pressure and pulse
- A urinalysis required by DOT, checking specific gravity, protein, blood and sugar (it is not a drug test)
- A physical exam by the certified medical examiner
If you meet the standards and required information is complete, the examiner can certify you and reports the examination result to FMCSA. A same-day decision is not guaranteed. You can verify an examiner on FMCSA’s National Registry.
DOT physical cost in Charlotte
| How you pay | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Self-pay | $140: provider evaluation and DOT urinalysis; medical card if you qualify |
| Employer account | Employer-authorized services are billed to an established account; confirm your authorization. |
| Health insurance | Generally self-pay physicals |
Your $140 covers your evaluation by the provider: health history, vitals, the DOT urinalysis and the physical exam. It pays for the evaluation, not a guaranteed card. If anything comes back outside the normal range, the provider may need medical records or extra testing, such as a fingerstick glucose or an EKG, at an added cost. Missing records or additional evaluation can delay a decision. Determination-pending status is limited to 45 days and does not extend your current certificate. Once the evaluation is done, the fee isn’t refundable.
How long your DOT medical card lasts
A DOT medical card lasts up to 24 months. How long yours lasts depends on your health history and your physical exam. The examiner may issue a shorter card when a condition needs monitoring, such as high blood pressure. If you don’t meet the standards, the examiner will explain why and what you need next.
North Carolina medical certification: what happens after the exam?
For North Carolina CDL and CLP medical certification, since June 28, 2025 the medical examiner submits results electronically through the FMCSA National Registry system for transmission to NCDMV. NCDMV no longer accepts a medical examiner’s certificate directly from the driver. Confirm successful electronic submission with your examiner and keep a copy for your records. Your CDL self-certification of driving category is a separate requirement; check your licensing status and current NCDMV instructions. Drivers licensed elsewhere should follow their state’s requirements.
DOT drug and alcohol testing
Your employer may also need a DOT drug test or breath alcohol test. These are separate from the physical and can often be done in the same visit. See DOT drug and alcohol testing.
DOT physicals for employers
We handle DOT physicals for Charlotte fleets and employers at both clinics.
- Existing employer account: authorized exams are billed directly to the employer
- Volume pricing: discounted rates for employer direct accounts
- Certification information shared with an authorized designated contact as appropriate
- 7-day clinic hours, including weekends; examiner availability can vary
More services for Charlotte employers
- Drug and alcohol testing: rapid 5- and 10-panel tests, DOT lab tests and breath alcohol tests
- Pre-employment physicals: new-hire and fit-for-duty exams
- TB testing: skin tests, blood tests and chest X-ray (Steele Creek)
- Work injury and workers’ comp care: injury care and return-to-work notes
- All occupational health services: one account for all of your employee health needs
Related services
DOT drug and alcohol testingPre-employment physicalsTB testingWorkers’ comp careOccupational health
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