Charlotte DOT Exam Center provides DOT physical exams for commercial drivers from Pineville and throughout the Charlotte metro area. The clinic address is 8415 Pineville Matthews Road, Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28226. Suite 102 is important for GPS navigation and building entry.
Pineville drivers are located closest to the clinic. Most reach Charlotte DOT Exam Center in under 10 minutes via Pineville Matthews Road.
Pineville serves as a major logistics hub with numerous trucking companies and distribution centers. The town’s commercial vehicle traffic makes DOT physical access a priority for local employers and drivers.
From downtown Pineville, head east on Main Street which becomes Pineville Matthews Road. Continue approximately 2 miles and the clinic is on the right at 8415 Pineville Matthews Road, Suite 102. From Carolina Place Mall, take I-485 East to Exit 57, then north on Johnston Road and right onto Pineville Matthews Road.
Drivers from Pineville neighborhoods including Carolina Place Mall area, McMullen Creek, Park Road Shopping Center vicinity, and downtown Pineville regularly schedule DOT physicals at this location. The clinic accepts walk-ins based on same-day availability, though scheduling an appointment reduces wait time. For complete service area details, see locations served for DOT physical exams in Charlotte NC.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes DOT physical requirements under 49 CFR 391.41. These federal standards apply to all commercial motor vehicle drivers regardless of state.
DOT physical requirements include evaluation of:
The medical examiner must be listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Dr. Lemuel P. Byrd, Jr. at Charlotte DOT Exam Center maintains active FMCSA certification.
Certification length depends on your health status and medical history. The following table shows typical certification periods based on common conditions.
| Condition | Certification Period | Documentation Required |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy driver (no conditions) | 2 years | None beyond standard exam |
| Blood pressure under 140/90 | 2 years | None |
| Blood pressure 140-159/90-99 (Stage 1) | 1 year | Annual monitoring |
| Blood pressure 160-179/100-109 (Stage 2) | 1 year (one-time) | Treatment documentation required |
| Blood pressure 180+/110+ (Stage 3) | Disqualified until controlled | Physician clearance required |
| Diabetes (non-insulin, well-controlled) | 2 years | A1C results, medication list |
| Diabetes (insulin-treated) | 1 year | Endocrinologist clearance, ITDM packet |
| Sleep apnea (treated, compliant) | 1 year | CPAP compliance report (30+ days) |
| Heart stent (PCI) | 1 year | Cardiologist clearance after 1-week wait |
| Heart attack (MI) | 1 year | Cardiologist clearance after 2-month wait |
| Bypass surgery (CABG) | 1 year | Cardiologist clearance after 3-month wait |
| Seizure history (controlled) | Varies | Neurologist clearance, seizure-free period |
For more details on specific conditions, see complete guide to DOT physical failures and three-month DOT medical card limits.
Arriving prepared reduces exam time and prevents delays. Bring these items to your DOT physical:
For a complete preparation guide, see preparing for your DOT medical exam and the DOT physical requirements checklist.
Many medical conditions are certifiable with proper documentation and treatment. Charlotte DOT Exam Center has experience with complex cases and can advise on documentation requirements.
Common conditions evaluated during DOT physicals include:
For drivers who need additional time to gather documentation or manage a condition, the medical examiner may issue a shorter certification period. See three-month DOT medical card limits for details on temporary certifications.
Qualified drivers receive their DOT medical card at the end of the exam. The medical examiner uploads results to the FMCSA National Registry.
North Carolina CDL holders must submit the medical certificate to the NC DMV to maintain driving privileges. The DMV updates your driving record to reflect current medical certification status.
For North Carolina submission instructions, see submit DOT medical card to NC DMV.
Pineville drivers get DOT physical exams at Charlotte DOT Exam Center, located at 8415 Pineville Matthews Road, Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28226. The clinic is approximately 5-10 minutes from Pineville via I-485, US-521 (Johnston Road), and Pineville Matthews Road.
DOT physical exams at Charlotte DOT Exam Center cost $70. This includes the exam, medical certificate, and FMCSA National Registry upload. See DOT physical exam cost for details.
Walk-ins are accepted based on same-day availability. Scheduling an appointment reduces wait time. Contact the clinic at 704-544-3494 to schedule.
If you cannot be certified at your exam, the medical examiner explains what documentation or treatment is needed. Many conditions are certifiable with proper medical records. See complete guide to DOT physical failures.
DOT medical cards are valid for up to 2 years for healthy drivers. Medical conditions may require annual or more frequent recertification. Your medical card shows the expiration date. See CDL renewal vs DOT medical card renewal.
Qualified drivers receive their DOT medical card at the end of the exam. Drivers needing additional documentation or specialist clearance may receive a determination pending status until records are provided.
Automatic disqualifications include uncontrolled epilepsy, insulin-treated diabetes without an exemption, certain vision or hearing deficiencies that cannot be corrected, and use of Schedule I drugs. Some conditions like implantable defibrillators (ICDs) are permanently disqualifying. Many other conditions are certifiable with proper documentation. See top DOT physical disqualifiers.
To prepare for blood pressure testing, avoid caffeine and tobacco for at least 30 minutes before your exam. Get adequate sleep the night before. If you take blood pressure medication, take it as prescribed. Arrive a few minutes early to relax before testing. High readings may result in shorter certification periods. See borderline blood pressure and DOT exam.
A DOT physical includes medical history review, vision testing (20/40 minimum), hearing test (whisper test or audiometry), blood pressure measurement, urinalysis (for protein, blood, and sugar), and physical examination of heart, lungs, abdomen, spine, and extremities. The examiner also evaluates neurological function and general physical condition. See what the DOT physical exam covers.
DOT medical cards are valid for a maximum of 2 years for drivers with no health concerns. Drivers with certain conditions receive 1-year cards or shorter certification periods. Your specific certification length depends on your health status and is printed on your medical card. See DOT medical card validity periods.
Charlotte DOT Exam Center provides DOT physical exams for commercial drivers from Pineville and throughout the Charlotte metro area. Our FMCSA-certified medical examiner has experience with complex cases and documentation requirements.
Examiner: Dr. Lemuel P. Byrd, Jr., D.C.
Address: 8415 Pineville Matthews Road, Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28226