A CDL Class B license authorizes drivers to operate single vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 26,001 pounds, or to tow vehicles not exceeding 10,000 pounds GVWR. This covers a wide range of heavy single-unit vehicles essential to Charlotte’s economy.
Common CDL Class B vehicles include:
The key distinction is vehicle configuration:
| Feature | CDL Class A | CDL Class B |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle type | Combination vehicles | Single vehicles |
| Weight threshold | GCWR over 26,001 lbs + towed over 10,000 lbs | GVWR over 26,001 lbs |
| Examples | Tractor-trailers, tanker combos | Dump trucks, buses, straight trucks |
| DOT physical | Identical requirements | Identical requirements |
Important: The DOT physical examination is exactly the same for Class A and Class B drivers. FMCSA medical standards under 49 CFR 391.41 do not differentiate by license class.
Charlotte’s diverse economy creates strong demand for Class B drivers:
Construction industry: Charlotte’s growth drives demand for dump truck drivers and construction vehicle operators. Cement mixer operators serve residential and commercial projects throughout the metro.
Passenger transportation: School bus drivers for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, CATS transit operators, and charter bus drivers for corporate and tourism markets.
Delivery and distribution: Beverage distributors, food service delivery, furniture and appliance installation crews operating throughout the Piedmont region.
At Charlotte DOT Exam Center, our FMCSA-certified medical examiners—Dr. Alan M. Tebby and Dr. Lemuel Byrd—evaluate all commercial drivers using federal standards:
Vision: Minimum 20/40 acuity in each eye, 70-degree peripheral vision, and color recognition for traffic signals.
Hearing: Must perceive forced whisper at 5 feet.
Blood pressure: Below 140/90 for 2-year certification. Higher readings receive shorter certification periods.
Physical fitness: Neurological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and respiratory assessment.
Urinalysis: Screens for underlying conditions like diabetes—separate from drug testing.
| Health Status | Certificate Duration |
|---|---|
| Healthy, all standards met | 24 months |
| Treated Stage 1 hypertension | 12 months |
| Insulin-treated diabetes (with exemption) | 12 months |
| Sleep apnea with CPAP compliance | 12 months |
| Conditions requiring monitoring | 3-12 months |
Drivers managing sleep apnea, diabetes, or hypertension can obtain certification with proper treatment documentation.
Convenient for CDL Class B truck drivers throughout Charlotte metro: Pineville, Matthews, Ballantyne, South Charlotte, Huntersville, Concord, Gastonia, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Indian Trail. Easy access from I-485, I-77, and I-85.
Walk-ins welcome Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Call (704) 544-3494 or visit 8415 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite 102, Charlotte NC 28226.
Learn about requirements for other commercial drivers at our Driver Types Hub, including CDL Class A drivers, dump truck drivers, and school bus drivers.
No, CDL Class B drivers undergo the identical DOT physical examination as Class A drivers. FMCSA medical standards under 49 CFR 391.41 apply uniformly regardless of license class.
Charlotte DOT Exam Center charges $70 flat rate for CDL Class B DOT physicals—same price as Class A drivers. This includes examination, urinalysis, and laminated medical card.
CDL Class B covers single vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR including straight trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, cement mixers, garbage trucks, large buses, and delivery trucks.
Yes, most dump trucks exceed 26,001 lbs GVWR, requiring CDL Class B. Dump truck drivers pulling pup trailers where the trailer exceeds 10,000 lbs would need Class A.
Yes, your existing DOT medical certificate remains valid when upgrading from Class B to Class A. The license upgrade requires additional testing but not a new medical examination.
Cement mixers typically require CDL Class B. If the mixer carries liquid concrete over 1,000 gallons, tanker (N) endorsement may be required. The DOT physical is the same regardless.
Same as all CDL drivers: up to 24 months for healthy drivers. Drivers with managed medical conditions receive 12-month or shorter certifications.
Buses designed for 16+ passengers require CDL Class B with passenger (P) endorsement. School bus drivers need both P and S (school bus) endorsements.
The medical examiner explains which condition prevented certification and outlines steps toward passing—medication adjustment, specialist clearance, or treatment optimization.
No appointment needed. Charlotte DOT Exam Center welcomes walk-ins Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Most exams complete in 20-30 minutes.