Yes, many non-CDL commercial drivers need DOT physicals. Under 49 CFR Part 391, DOT physical requirements apply to drivers operating vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR in interstate commerce—regardless of whether a CDL is required.
The CDL threshold is 26,001 lbs GVWR. Vehicles between 10,001-26,000 lbs occupy a middle ground: they don’t require CDL but still require DOT medical certification for interstate operations.
| Vehicle Type | Typical GVWR | CDL Required | DOT Physical (Interstate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cargo vans (Sprinter, Transit) | 10,001-14,000 lbs | No | Yes |
| Box trucks (smaller) | 14,001-26,000 lbs | No | Yes |
| Medium-duty service trucks | 14,001-19,500 lbs | No | Yes |
| Landscape trailers (combined) | 10,001-26,000 lbs | No | Yes |
| Delivery trucks | 10,001-26,000 lbs | No | Yes |
| Catering trucks | 10,001-18,000 lbs | No | Yes |
Federal DOT physical requirements apply to interstate commerce. You’re in interstate commerce if you:
Delivery drivers: Operating box trucks for furniture stores, appliance delivery, wholesale distributors—including Amazon DSP drivers and FedEx contractors.
Service technicians: HVAC, plumbing, electrical contractors with medium-duty service vehicles.
Landscape contractors: Trucks pulling trailers that exceed 10,001 lbs combined GCWR.
Equipment rental: Delivering and retrieving rental equipment on medium-duty flatbeds.
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 non-CDL commercial 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 Amazon DSP drivers, FedEx drivers, and UPS drivers.
Yes, if you operate a vehicle over 10,001 lbs GVWR in interstate commerce. Vehicles between 10,001-26,000 lbs don’t require CDL but still require DOT certification.
Check your vehicle’s GVWR on the door jamb sticker or registration. If it exceeds 10,001 lbs and you operate in interstate commerce, you need DOT certification.
Charlotte DOT Exam Center charges $70 flat rate for all DOT physicals—CDL and non-CDL alike.
Yes, Charlotte DOT Exam Center submits all DOT physical results to the FMCSA National Registry regardless of CDL status.
The examination is identical. The same FMCSA standards apply to all commercial drivers requiring DOT certification.
If the truck exceeds 10,001 lbs GVWR and operates in interstate commerce, yes.
If truck plus trailer combined weight exceeds 10,001 lbs GVWR and you operate in interstate commerce, yes.
Same schedule as CDL drivers: up to 24 months for healthy drivers, 12 months or less for managed conditions.
Exclusively intrastate drivers may have different requirements. However, if cargo has crossed or will cross state lines, you may still be in interstate commerce.
No appointment needed. Walk-ins welcome Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.