Recently, the North Carolina Senate passed a new bill giving an extra two years to renew expired licenses. This measure comes amid a collapse at the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), which works with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. 13 News and Start News have reported on the new US regulations. Read on to learn more.
What North Carolina law says about expired driver’s licenses
Bill 391, recently passed by the state Senate, includes a “special moratorium” of up to 24 months for drivers to renew their driver’s licenses.
This is because the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) has an excessive workload, according to 13 News. However, the rule specifies that this measure does not apply to driver’s licenses that are currently canceled, revoked, or suspended.
Conditions under which the law applies in North Carolina
- The law establishes a temporary moratorium on the expiration of Class C driver’s licenses (private vehicles) that expire on or after July 1, 2025.
- Duration: The moratorium allows these licenses to remain valid for driving within the state for up to two years (24 months) after the expiration date printed on the license.
- Validity: This measure will be in effect until December 31, 2027.
- Limitations:
- It only applies to Class C licenses that are not suspended, revoked, or canceled.
- The expired license is only valid for driving within North Carolina, not for identification, air travel, or recognition outside the state or by federal entities.
- Does not apply to commercial licenses.
As part of measures to reduce the workload of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, new services have been made available for license renewal, such as online “self-service” and walk-in service on Saturdays.
Ways to renew your driver’s license in North Carolina
The NCDMV has adopted new technologies to streamline the driver’s license renewal process, which can now be done online, in person, or even by traditional mail.
In the case of online renewal, the process can be completed up to six months before the expiration date, although it can only be done this way every two years, according to Star News.
Another detail about online renewal is that if the driver renewed their license this way last time, they must appear in person at the Division of Motor Vehicles office for the next renewal. In addition, users can go to self-service kiosks to speed up the process.
If motorists choose to renew their license by mail, this option is available to citizens and residents who will be outside North Carolina for up to 30 days. However, these types of licenses are temporary and are valid for a maximum of 60 days after the driver’s return to the state.
How to schedule an appointment and what documents are needed to renew a driver’s license
According to the State of North Carolina, to schedule an appointment online, you must choose one of the following options:
- Driver’s license, if applying for the first time
- Duplicate driver’s license, to replace a lost or stolen license
- Driver’s license renewal
- Identification card
Cómo agendar una cita y qué documentos se necesitan para renovar la licencia de conducir
De acuerdo con el Estado de Carolina del Norte, para agendar una cita online se debe elegir una de las siguientes opciones:
- Licencia de conducir, si se realiza el trámite por primera vez
- Duplicado de licencia de conducir, para reemplazar la licencia por pérdida o robo
- Renovación de la licencia de conducir
- Tarjeta de Identificación
Likewise, drivers who choose to renew or apply for their driver’s license in person at the DVM office must have the following documents on hand:
- A document (with the applicant’s full name) proving their identity and date of birth
- A document confirming their social security number (with full name and digits)
- Two documents with the current billing address proving their residence in North Carolina
- Car insurance coverage proving that the user has liability insurance from a company licensed in the state
- If applicable, one or two documents verifying any change of name
- For non-US citizens, a document proving their legal presence or residence in the country (with full name)
