License & ID Card Delays
NCDMV is experiencing production delays with the outside private contractor that prints official license and ID cards. It is taking longer than the normal 15 days for customers to receive their credentials in the mail.
The temporary certificate received by customers at the end of their transaction is valid for 60 days. If customers do not receive their card prior to the expiration of this certificate, please call NCDMV Central Issuance at 919-861-3555 for assistance.
Before You Begin
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles uses an online service, called PayIt, that allows you to take advantage of completing multiple services in one secure transaction.
PayIt collects a $3 fee per online transaction that it uses to deliver quality services more efficiently with no upfront costs to NCDMV. The State of North Carolina does not collect or benefit from the transaction fee.
Ready to Renew?
Online driver license and ID renewal allows eligible customers to conveniently and quickly renew their driver license up to six months before their license expires or within two years of expiration. A state ID and a Level 3 full provisional license may be renewed within one year of expiration.
Customers can only renew their license/ID online every other time. If a person renewed online last time, they must renew in-person at a driver license office this time.
Upgrading a Full Provisional License to a Class C Driver License
Online full provisional license upgrade allows eligible customers to change to an original Class C driver license once they have reached their 18th birthday and within one year after expiration.
Requirements & Restrictions
Driver License
An individual who meets any of the following must visit an
NCDMV driver license office:
- Has a suspended license or outstanding debt with NCDMV
- Has a restriction other than "Corrective Lenses" on their driver license and/or “24” on their full provisional license
- Needs to renew a commercial driver licenses, regular Class A or B driver license, limited provisional license, limited learner permit or learner permit
- Has a U.S. government document indicating legal presence
-
Has used the online system for the previous renewal. Individuals can only use the online system every other license renewal.
ID
An individual who meets any of the following must visit
an NCDMV driver license office:
- Has a U.S. government document indicating legal presence
- Has an ID that is expired more than one year
Renewing in Person
Make an Appointment
Skip the line at driver license offices by
making an appointment online. If you do not find an available appointment, please continue to check back as new available appointments are added each day.
An individual can also renew their driver license at an
N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles driver license office by
passing any required driver license tests. If renewing a license that has been lost or stolen, they must provide the following documents:
Fees
Renewal by Mail
A North Carolina resident may
renew by mail their standard driver license once by mail in their lifetime if they are temporarily living outside of the state for at least 30 continuous days. If on
active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces and stationed outside North Carolina, a North Carolina resident may renew twice in their lifetime and back to back.
Commercial licenses cannot be renewed by mail.
Licenses renewed by mail are temporary and expire 60 days after the individual returns to North Carolina or on the expiration date on the face of the license, whichever comes first.
Individuals must sign and date both a provided vision statement and a National Sex Offender Affidavit to renew by mail.
Additionally, they must have:
- A verifiable permanent North Carolina residence address
- A North Carolina Class C driver license that has been expired less than two years
- On file with NCDMV a photo that was issued within the last eight years (less than age 65)
- On file with NCDMV a Social Security number or a U.S. government-issued document indicating legal presence
Renewal Services for Military Personnel
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles offers current and retired personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces
convenient options for renewing vehicle registrations and driver licenses.