Charter & Tour Bus Driver DOT Physical Exam in Charlotte, NC
TL;DR – Charter And Tour Bus Driver DOT Physical Quick Facts
- Cost: $70 flat rate – includes exam, urinalysis, and laminated medical card
- Certification period: Up to 24 months for healthy drivers
- Walk-ins welcome: No appointment needed, Monday–Friday 9 AM–5 PM
- FMCSA submission: Results electronically transmitted to National Registry within 1 hour
- Experience: Dr. Alan M. Tebby (40+ years) and Dr. Lemuel Byrd (44+ years)
- Location: 8415 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite 102, Charlotte NC 28226
Who Needs a Charter or Tour Bus Driver DOT Physical?
Charter and tour bus drivers transport passengers for compensation—a critical distinction that triggers federal DOT requirements. Under 49 CFR Part 391, any driver operating a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers in interstate or intrastate commerce must maintain DOT medical certification.
Charlotte’s tourism and corporate travel industries create strong demand for charter bus services:
- Motorcoach operators: Long-distance charter services for groups, tours, and corporate events
- Tour bus drivers: Regional tourism—Blue Ridge Parkway, beach destinations, mountain retreats
- Casino shuttles: Regular routes to regional gaming destinations
- Corporate shuttles: Employee transportation, event shuttles, airport transfers
- Athletic team buses: Sports team transportation during Panthers, Hornets, and college seasons
Charlotte’s Charter Bus Industry
Major event venues: Bank of America Stadium (Panthers, concerts), Spectrum Center (Hornets, concerts), Charlotte Convention Center, and PNC Music Pavilion create steady demand for group transportation.
NASCAR tourism: Charlotte Motor Speedway draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, with charter buses transporting fans from hotels and parking areas.
Corporate headquarters: Bank of America, Lowe’s, Duke Energy, and other Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Charlotte require regular charter services.
Hours of Service for Charter Bus Drivers
Charter and tour bus drivers operate under FMCSA hours-of-service regulations for passenger carriers:
- Driving limit: 10 hours maximum after 8 consecutive hours off duty
- On-duty limit: 15 hours maximum after 8 consecutive hours off duty
- Weekly limit: 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days
These limits make cardiovascular fitness and alertness—evaluated in the DOT physical—critical for charter bus driver safety.
What Does a Charter And Tour Bus Driver DOT Physical Examine?
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.
Certification Periods by Health Status
| 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 |
What Should Charter And Tour Bus Drivers Bring to Their DOT Physical?
- Valid photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
- Current glasses or contact lenses if worn while driving
- Complete medication list with dosages
- CPAP compliance data if you have sleep apnea
- Blood glucose logs if you have diabetes
- Cardiac clearance for heart conditions
- Any employer or company-required documentation
Drivers managing sleep apnea, diabetes, or hypertension can obtain certification with proper treatment documentation.
Why Charter And Tour Bus Drivers Choose Charlotte DOT Exam Center
- $70 flat rate – No hidden fees, same price for all drivers
- Walk-in availability – No appointment needed
- Same-day certification – Laminated card in hand
- FMCSA Registry submission within 1 hour
- 84+ combined years of examiner experience
Charlotte Areas We Serve
Convenient for charter and tour bus 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.
Schedule Your Charter And Tour Bus Driver DOT Physical Today
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 school bus drivers, and CDL Class B drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions: Charter And Tour Bus Driver DOT Physical
Do charter bus drivers need DOT physicals?
Yes, all charter and tour bus drivers operating vehicles for 16+ passengers in commercial service must pass DOT physical examinations under 49 CFR Part 391.
What CDL class do charter bus drivers need?
Most charter bus drivers need CDL Class B with passenger (P) endorsement. Drivers operating motorcoaches pulling trailers over 10,000 lbs may need CDL Class A.
How much does a charter bus driver DOT physical cost?
Charlotte DOT Exam Center charges $70 flat rate for charter and tour bus driver DOT physicals, including examination, urinalysis, and laminated medical card.
Do church bus drivers need DOT physicals?
Church buses used solely for church activities without compensation may be exempt. Any commercial operation requires DOT certification. Consult your insurance carrier.
Can charter bus drivers have sleep apnea?
Yes, with documented CPAP compliance. Given the long hours motorcoach drivers work, sleep apnea management is critically important for passenger safety.
Do airport shuttle drivers need DOT physicals?
Yes, airport shuttle drivers operating vehicles for 16+ passengers need DOT certification. Smaller shuttles may have different requirements depending on passenger capacity.
How often do charter bus drivers need DOT physicals?
Healthy charter bus drivers receive 24-month certificates. Company policies may require more frequent physicals than federal minimums.
What disqualifies charter bus drivers from DOT certification?
Major disqualifications include uncontrolled seizures, severe vision or hearing impairment, certain cardiovascular conditions, and uncontrolled diabetes.
Do tour bus drivers need different certification than charter drivers?
No, tour bus drivers and charter bus drivers have identical DOT physical requirements under FMCSA passenger carrier regulations.
Do I need an appointment for my charter bus driver DOT physical?
No appointment required. Walk-ins welcome Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Most exams complete in 20-30 minutes.
