Construction Vehicle Operator DOT Physical Exam in Charlotte, NC
TL;DR – Construction Vehicle Operator 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
Do Construction Vehicle Operators Need DOT Physicals?
On-road construction vehicles: Operators driving construction vehicles on public roads with GVWR over 10,001 lbs require DOT physicals. This includes concrete mixers, crane trucks, and heavy equipment transporters moving between job sites.
Off-road only equipment: Operators working exclusively on private property may not require DOT physicals under federal law. However, many construction companies require DOT physicals for all operators as company policy.
Construction Vehicles and DOT Requirements
| Vehicle Type | Typical GVWR | DOT Physical Required | CDL Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete mixer | 33,000-66,000 lbs | Yes | Yes (Class B) |
| Crane truck | 26,001-80,000 lbs | Yes | Yes (Class A/B) |
| Dump truck | 26,001-70,000 lbs | Yes | Yes (Class B) |
| Flatbed/equipment hauler | 26,001-80,000 lbs | Yes | Yes (Class A) |
| Water truck | 10,001-33,000 lbs | Yes | Varies |
| Service/mechanics truck | 10,001-26,000 lbs | Yes | No |
Charlotte’s Construction Industry
Charlotte’s status as one of America’s fastest-growing cities creates enormous demand for construction vehicle operators:
Commercial development: Uptown high-rises, suburban office parks, and retail centers require continuous concrete, crane, and material delivery.
Residential construction: New housing throughout Union, Cabarrus, and Iredell counties keeps construction fleets busy.
Infrastructure: Road construction and public works projects demand dump truck operators and heavy equipment transporters.
Special Endorsements for Construction Operators
Tanker (N) endorsement: Concrete mixers carrying liquid concrete over 1,000 gallons may require tanker endorsement. Water trucks over 1,000 gallons definitely require it.
Hazmat (H) endorsement: Asphalt tanker operators or drivers hauling construction chemicals may need hazmat endorsement.
What Does a Construction Vehicle Operator 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 Construction Vehicle Operators 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 Construction Vehicle Operators 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 construction vehicle operators 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 Construction Vehicle Operator 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 dump truck drivers, CDL Class B drivers, and tanker drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions: Construction Vehicle Operator DOT Physical
Do concrete mixer drivers need DOT physicals?
Yes, most concrete mixers exceed 26,001 lbs GVWR, requiring CDL Class B and DOT certification. Mixers carrying over 1,000 gallons may need tanker endorsement.
Do crane truck operators need DOT physicals?
Crane truck operators driving on public roads need DOT physicals. OSHA crane operator certification is separate—you may need both.
How much does a construction vehicle operator DOT physical cost?
Charlotte DOT Exam Center charges $70 flat rate regardless of vehicle type or endorsements.
Do off-road equipment operators need DOT physicals?
Federal regulations apply to on-road operation. Operators working exclusively on private property may not need DOT certification, though many companies require it.
What CDL class do construction vehicle operators need?
Concrete mixers, crane trucks, and large dump trucks over 26,001 lbs require Class B. Equipment transporters pulling heavy trailers may need Class A.
Do water truck operators need DOT physicals?
Water trucks over 10,001 lbs GVWR require DOT physicals. Large water trucks with 1,000+ gallon tanks may also require tanker endorsement.
Can construction operators with sleep apnea get DOT certified?
Yes, with documented CPAP compliance. Early construction start times make sleep apnea management particularly important.
Do I need an appointment for my construction vehicle DOT physical?
No appointment needed. Walk-ins welcome Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
Does Charlotte DOT Exam Center do fleet physicals for construction companies?
Yes, we welcome multiple operators from the same company. Contact us about accommodating larger groups.
Do construction equipment haulers need CDL Class A?
If combination exceeds 26,001 lbs GCWR and trailer exceeds 10,000 lbs, yes. Many heavy equipment transporters fall into this category.
