The Doctor Ride provides reliable wait and return medical transportation throughout Charlotte and the surrounding areas. Many medical appointments require a responsible adult to stay during the entire visit, especially when sedation, anesthesia, or medication that affects judgment is involved. Our wait and return service ensures that a trained, professional transportation driver stays on site for the full duration of your appointment and brings you home safely the moment you are cleared by your medical team.

We specialize in private pay non emergency medical transportation for procedures and medical visits where clients cannot be dropped off alone, cannot drive themselves, and cannot use rideshare or taxi services due to medical requirements.

What Wait and Return Transportation Means

Wait and return service is a premium, supportive transportation option that provides:

• A dedicated driver for the entire appointment

• Direct pickup from your home, facility, or residence

• On time arrival at your medical appointment

• A responsible adult who remains available on site

• Immediate pickup as soon as your procedure is finished

• Safe transportation home with door to door assistance

There is no need to coordinate a second ride or hope a driver is available later. You are never stranded, waiting, or left alone during a medical visit.

This type of transportation is required by many medical facilities across Charlotte, especially for procedures involving anesthesia or medications that impair driving.

Why Wait and Return is Essential for Sedation and Anesthesia Appointments

Most medical centers, outpatient surgery centers, and procedural facilities will not allow patients to:

• Arrive alone

• Take a taxi

• Take rideshare

• Walk in unaccompanied

• Leave without a responsible adult present

After sedation or anesthesia, patients may feel dizzy, groggy, disoriented, unsteady, or emotionally sensitive. They cannot legally or safely operate a vehicle. They often need assistance walking, signing discharge paperwork, and getting to the car.

Our service meets all of these requirements and provides safe, supportive transportation throughout the entire visit.

Procedures That Require Someone to Stay With You

The Doctor Ride provides wait and return transportation for any appointment where you are told you must have a responsible adult present or available. This includes:

• Colonoscopy appointments

• Endoscopy appointments

• Cataract surgery

• Eye surgery and retina procedures

• Oral surgery

• Dental surgery and sedation dentistry

• Cosmetic procedures

• Dermatology procedures

• Outpatient surgery

• Pain management injections

• Orthopedic injections

• Spine injections and nerve blocks

• GI procedures

• Urology procedures

• ENT procedures

• Podiatry procedures

• MRI with sedation

• CT scan with sedation

• Any visit requiring anesthesia or sedation

These appointments typically require someone to stay until you are fully cleared to go home, which is exactly what our service provides.

Book Wait and Return Transportation Today

If you have an upcoming appointment, procedure, or surgery that requires someone to stay with you, The Doctor Ride is ready to help. Contact us to schedule your transportation and receive dedicated, reliable support throughout your entire visit.

Serving Charlotte and All Surrounding Cities

We provide wait and return transportation across:

Charlotte, South Charlotte, Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Belmont, Mount Holly, Gastonia, Indian Trail, Stallings, Monroe, Waxhaw, Weddington, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and Rock Hill.

If your appointment is in or around Charlotte, we can take you, wait for you, and return you home with complete support.

Private, Comfortable Transportation for All Mobility Levels

Our vans are clean, modern, and designed for medical transportation. We accommodate:

• Ambulatory passengers

• Wheelchair users

• Clients with mobility challenges

• Clients who require extra assistance walking

• Clients recovering from sedation or anesthesia

Every ride is private. You are never in a shared vehicle and do not have to wait for other passengers.

Professional Drivers Who Provide Reliable, Consistent Support

The Doctor Ride employs drivers who are trained to assist clients before and after medical procedures. Our drivers focus on:

• Safety

• Comfort

• Professionalism

• Respectful communication

• Timely arrival

• Reliable return trips

• Clear coordination with care teams

Your driver is there only for you and remains dedicated to your ride from start to finish.

Full Service Support From Start to Finish

Our wait and return transportation includes:

Pre Appointment Support

• Scheduled pickup at your home or facility

• Assistance to the vehicle

• Help with walkers, mobility aids, or wheelchairs

• Guidance entering the medical facility

During the Appointment

• Your driver stays nearby and available

• No leaving or switching drivers

• Updates available for family if requested

• Flexible timing if the appointment runs longer

After the Appointment

• Immediate pickup upon discharge

• Safe assistance back to the vehicle

• Comfortable private ride home

• Help with getting inside the home or building

This door to door service is designed for safety, comfort, and peace of mind.

Types of Appointments We Commonly Support

We regularly provide wait and return transportation for:

GI Procedures

• Colonoscopy

• Endoscopy

• Upper GI exam

• Capsule endoscopy preparation

Eye Procedures

• Cataract surgery

• Retina surgery

• Glaucoma procedures

• Injections and follow ups

Dental and Oral Procedures

• Sedation dentistry

• Wisdom tooth removal

• Oral surgery

• Dental implants

Cosmetic and Dermatology Procedures

• Facial procedures

• Dermatology surgeries

• Skin cancer removal

• Laser treatments requiring sedation

Orthopedic and Pain Procedures

• Steroid injections

• Nerve blocks

• Joint injections

• Back and spine procedures

Sedation Imaging Appointments

• MRI with sedation

• CT scan with sedation

• PET scan with medication restrictions

General Outpatient Surgery

• Same day surgery

• Minor surgical procedures

• Outpatient recovery appointments

If your appointment involves sedation, anesthesia, or impaired mobility, we provide the transportation solution you need.

Perfect for Seniors and Adults Without Available Family Support

Many clients rely on our wait and return transportation because:

• Family members live out of town

• Household members are working or unavailable

• Friends cannot take time off to stay during the appointment

• Caregivers are limited to short appointments

• Loved ones cannot wait several hours at a facility

Older adults, individuals with mobility challenges, and clients who receive sedation benefit greatly from having a trained transportation driver who remains on site for the full duration of the visit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wait and Return Transportation in Charlotte NC

What is wait and return transportation

Wait and return transportation means your driver takes you to your medical appointment, stays on site for the entire duration of your visit, and brings you home as soon as you are finished. You do not need to book two separate rides or arrange for different drivers. One driver stays dedicated to your appointment from start to finish.

Why do medical facilities require someone to wait for me

Most clinics and surgery centers require a responsible adult to stay on site during appointments involving sedation or anesthesia. This is because you may feel groggy, dizzy, or disoriented after the procedure and cannot be left alone. The Doctor Ride fulfills this requirement by providing a driver who waits until you are cleared for discharge.

What types of appointments require wait and return service

Common appointments include colonoscopy, endoscopy, cataract surgery, dental surgery, oral surgery, sedation dentistry, pain management injections, joint injections, orthopedic procedures, dermatology procedures, ENT procedures, urology procedures, GI procedures, and imaging appointments that involve sedation.

Can The Doctor Ride serve as my responsible adult for the appointment

Yes. If the facility requires an adult to stay during your visit, we can serve as that responsible party. Your driver remains available at the facility until you are discharged and ready to return home.

How long will the driver wait for me

Your driver will wait as long as your appointment takes. Whether your visit lasts 30 minutes or several hours, wait time is included in the service. We accommodate changes if the procedure takes longer than expected.

Can I schedule wait and return transportation for early morning appointments

Yes. We frequently provide early morning transportation for surgeries, imaging appointments, and procedures. We recommend scheduling early to secure your preferred time.

Do you assist clients into the building and back into their home

Yes. Wait and return transportation includes full door to door assistance. We help clients enter the facility safely and assist them back inside their home after the appointment, especially if sedation or anesthesia was used.

Can I use this service if my family or caregiver is unavailable

Yes. Many clients rely on wait and return transportation because family members are working, unavailable, or out of town. We provide dependable support when you need someone to stay during the appointment.

Is this service allowed for procedures involving anesthesia

Yes. We specialize in transportation for procedures involving anesthesia or sedation. We understand the discharge rules and meet all requirements for pickup and responsible adult support.

Do you offer wheelchair accessible wait and return transportation

Yes. Our vans accommodate both wheelchair and ambulatory clients. Wheelchair clients receive secure tie downs, safe loading, and comfortable transportation before and after their procedure.

Will I have the same driver for pickup and return

Yes. You are assigned one dedicated driver who will transport you to the facility, wait for you during the appointment, and bring you home immediately after your procedure.

Can I book wait and return transportation for someone else

Yes. Many caregivers, family members, and medical offices schedule transportation for patients. We can coordinate all details directly with you and provide updates if needed.

What areas do you serve for wait and return transportation

We serve Charlotte, South Charlotte, Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Belmont, Mount Holly, Gastonia, Indian Trail, Stallings, Monroe, Waxhaw, Weddington, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and Rock Hill.

How far in advance should I schedule

We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for morning surgery times or sedation procedures. Same day availability may be possible depending on the schedule.

Learn More About Us

If you would like to learn more about who we are, our mission, and how The Doctor Ride began, visit our About Us page. You can meet our team, learn how our service started, and see why so many clients trust us for safe and reliable medical transportation.