SMS Consent and Opt-In Information

SMS Consent and Opt-In Information

Charlotte DOT Exam Center operates an automated SMS appointment reminder program for DOT medical certificate holders. This page documents our opt-in procedures, consent language, sample conversations, consent storage, message content, and opt-out process in full detail.

Regulatory Classification: Transactional / Informational (Not Marketing)

The SMS messages described on this page are transactional and informational communications, not marketing or promotional messages. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and FCC guidance, service-related messages sent to customers with an existing business relationship qualify as transactional where:

  • The recipient has an existing customer relationship with the sender (the patient completed a DOT physical examination at Charlotte DOT Exam Center)
  • The message content is directly related to a service the recipient has requested or requires (DOT medical certificate expiration, which the driver must maintain to continue commercial driving)
  • The messages contain no promotional or marketing content, upsells, offers, or solicitations
  • The messages are triggered by a time-sensitive event (certificate expiration) directly tied to the service the patient obtained

Verbal consent is a legally sufficient opt-in mechanism for transactional SMS communications under TCPA. However, Charlotte DOT Exam Center exceeds this minimum standard by also obtaining written consent via signed paper form as a supplementary opt-in method for every enrolled patient.

SMS Enrollment Is Optional

Participation in the SMS reminder program is completely optional. SMS consent is never a requirement for receiving DOT physical examination services or any other care at Charlotte DOT Exam Center. Patients who decline SMS enrollment receive the same quality of care, scheduling access, and services as patients who opt in. Patients may also opt out at any time without any effect on their ability to receive future services.

Program Overview

Commercial drivers who receive their DOT physical examination at Charlotte DOT Exam Center are eligible to enroll in our DOT Medical Certificate Expiration Reminder Program. This program sends automated text messages to remind drivers when their DOT medical certificate is approaching its expiration date, helping drivers avoid lapses in their commercial driving credentials.

Program details:

  • Message frequency: Up to 4 messages per DOT medical certificate cycle (typically 1–2 years)
  • Send schedule: 30 days, 15 days, 7 days, and 1 day before certificate expiration
  • Sending number: +1 (844) 708-5403
  • Cost: Message and data rates may apply through your mobile carrier. Charlotte DOT Exam Center does not charge for reminder messages.
  • Message category: Transactional/informational appointment and expiration reminders (non-marketing)

How Patients Opt In to SMS Reminders

Charlotte DOT Exam Center collects cell phone numbers and SMS consent through two verified, documented methods. Phone numbers are never purchased, rented, or acquired from third parties. Patients are only enrolled after providing explicit consent, and every enrollment is documented through both verbal affirmation and written signature.

Method 1: Written Consent via Signed Paper Form (Primary)

At check-in for every DOT physical examination, patients receive a clipboard containing the SMS Appointment Reminder Consent Form along with other intake paperwork. The form:

  • Clearly identifies Charlotte DOT Exam Center, LLC as the sender
  • States the program’s purpose, message frequency (30, 15, 7, and 1 day before expiration), and sending number (+1 844-708-5403)
  • Discloses that message and data rates may apply
  • Requires patients to check one of two boxes — YES (consent) or NO (decline) — to ensure the choice is active and unambiguous
  • Requires printed name, cell phone number, date, and signature
  • Includes a staff verification section where clinic staff document that consent was recorded in the patient management system
  • Is scanned into the patient’s permanent file alongside other DOT exam records

A visual reproduction of the actual paper consent form used at Charlotte DOT Exam Center appears below. The form is printed and distributed at every DOT physical examination.

Figure 1: Actual paper consent form distributed at every DOT physical examination at Charlotte DOT Exam Center.

Method 2: Verbal Consent via AI Phone Booking Assistant

When patients call Charlotte DOT Exam Center at +1 (844) 708-5403 to book a DOT physical examination, our AI scheduling assistant collects their cell phone number and reads a verbal consent script before enrolling them in the reminder program. Verbal consent is also collected in-person at the examination where a paper form is not used (for example, walk-in patients who decline the paperwork option).

Exact Verbal Consent Script (read by staff and AI scheduler)

“We would like to send you automated text message reminders when your DOT medical certificate is approaching its expiration date. Messages are sent at 30 days, 15 days, 7 days, and 1 day before expiration. Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile phone service plan. You can reply STOP at any time to unsubscribe, or reply HELP for help. Do you consent to receive these messages?”

Sample Simulated Conversation

The following demonstrates a typical verbal opt-in interaction:

AI Scheduler: “Thank you for calling Charlotte DOT Exam Center. I can help you schedule your DOT physical examination. Can I get your name, please?”

Driver: “John Smith.”

AI Scheduler: “Thank you, John. What is the best cell phone number to reach you?”

Driver: “704-555-0199.”

AI Scheduler: “Got it. Before I book your appointment, I have one quick question. We would like to send you automated text message reminders when your DOT medical certificate is approaching its expiration date. Messages are sent at 30 days, 15 days, 7 days, and 1 day before expiration. Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile phone service plan. You can reply STOP at any time to unsubscribe, or reply HELP for help. Do you consent to receive these messages?”

Driver: “Yes, that sounds helpful.”

AI Scheduler: “Great! You will be enrolled in the reminder program. You will receive a confirmation text shortly. Now let me find an available appointment time for your DOT physical…”

If the driver declines (answers “No”), the AI scheduler responds:

AI Scheduler: “No problem. You will not receive any text messages. Let’s continue with scheduling your appointment.”

The driver is not enrolled and receives no messages.

Confirmation Text (sent immediately after verbal enrollment)

Within approximately one minute of completing a verbal opt-in, the enrolled patient receives this confirmation SMS:

“Charlotte DOT Exam Center: You’re enrolled in DOT certificate expiration reminders (up to 4 msgs/cycle). Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help.”

How Consent Is Documented and Stored

Every instance of patient consent — whether written or verbal — is documented and stored to provide a complete audit trail.

Written Consent Storage

  • Physical form: Original signed paper consent form is scanned into the patient’s electronic health record alongside DOT exam paperwork (MCSA-5875, Medical Examiner’s Certificate MCSA-5876, etc.)
  • Electronic record: Consent status (Yes/No), cell phone number, and date are entered into the patient management system
  • Retention period: Signed consent forms are retained for a minimum of three (3) years after the patient’s most recent examination, consistent with medical record retention requirements under 49 CFR 391.51

Verbal Consent Storage

  • Call log: AI phone booking calls are logged with timestamp, caller phone number, and consent response (Yes/No)
  • Transcript: A transcript of the consent question and patient response is stored in the call record
  • System record: Upon verbal “Yes,” the patient’s phone number is added to the reminder database with consent source marked “Verbal – AI Scheduler” and timestamp
  • Confirmation text: The enrollment confirmation SMS sent to the patient provides an additional record of opt-in
  • Retention period: Call records and transcripts are retained for a minimum of three (3) years

Audit Availability

Consent documentation can be produced on request for compliance verification by Twilio, mobile carriers, the FCC, or in response to any regulatory inquiry.

Sample Reminder Messages Patients Receive

30-day reminder:

“Hi [Name], your DOT medical certificate expires in 30 days on [date]. Call Charlotte DOT Exam Center at 704-544-3494 or reply SCHEDULE to book. Reply STOP to opt out.”

15-day reminder:

“Hi [Name], your DOT medical certificate expires in 15 days on [date]. Please book your renewal at Charlotte DOT Exam Center: 704-544-3494 or reply SCHEDULE. Reply STOP to opt out.”

7-day reminder:

“Hi [Name], your DOT medical certificate expires in 7 days on [date]. Book now at Charlotte DOT Exam Center: 704-544-3494 or reply SCHEDULE. Reply STOP to opt out.”

1-day urgent reminder:

“URGENT [Name]: Your DOT certificate expires TOMORROW. Call Charlotte DOT Exam Center at 704-544-3494 or reply SCHEDULE. We have same-day availability. Reply STOP to opt out.”

How to Opt Out

Patients can unsubscribe from SMS reminders at any time using any of the following methods:

  • Reply STOP to any reminder message — you will be immediately removed from the list and receive a confirmation message
  • Other recognized opt-out keywords: CANCEL, END, QUIT, UNSUBSCRIBE, OPTOUT, REVOKE, STOPALL
  • Call us directly: 704-544-3494
  • Email: appt@tebbyclinic.com

Opt-out confirmation message sent after STOP reply:

“You have successfully been unsubscribed. You will not receive any more messages from this number. Reply START to resubscribe.”

Help Information

Patients who reply HELP to any reminder message will receive:

“Charlotte DOT Exam Center: Reply STOP to unsubscribe from DOT certificate reminders. Call 704-544-3494 for assistance. Msg & data rates may apply.”

Data Handling and Privacy

Charlotte DOT Exam Center:

  • Does not sell, rent, lease, or share patient phone numbers with any third party for any purpose — including marketing, advertising, affiliates, or data brokers
  • Uses phone numbers exclusively for DOT medical certificate expiration reminders as consented
  • Retains patient contact information in a secure patient management system compliant with applicable healthcare privacy standards
  • Removes opted-out numbers from the active reminder list immediately upon receiving STOP requests or other opt-out indications
  • Maintains consent documentation for a minimum of three years to support compliance audits

For complete details on data handling, please review our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

Business Information

Charlotte DOT Exam Center, LLC
8415 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite 102
Charlotte, North Carolina 28226
Phone: 704-544-3494
Email: appt@tebbyclinic.com

Legal entity: Charlotte DOT Exam Center, LLC
NC Secretary of State Registration: SOSID 3081858
EIN: 39-3160377
SMS sending number: +1 (844) 708-5403
SMS use case category: Customer Care / Appointment Reminders (Transactional)

Questions

If you have any questions about our SMS reminder program, opt-in or opt-out procedures, or how your information is handled, please contact us:

  • Phone: 704-544-3494
  • Email: appt@tebbyclinic.com

Page last updated: April 21, 2026