Wondering what you need and how you can renew your North Carolina Driver's License? Here is the ultimate guide to quickly and easily renewing your North Carolina driver license.
What You’ll Need to Renew your North Carolina Driver License
- Proof of North Caroline residence.
- Proof of legal presence in the United States.
- Proof of Social Security Number.
- Identification with your birth date and full name.
What You’ll Need to Do to Renew your North Carolina Driver License Online
- Go to North Carolina DMV license renewal website.
- You will need to select one of the following choices: Driver License – First time (you will be getting N.C. license for the first time); Driver License Duplicate (you will be replacing your license); Driver License Renewal (you will be renewing your license); ID Card.
- Pay the fees.
What You’ll Need to Do to Renew your North Carolina Driver License in Person
- Visit your nearest DMV office in person. Consider making a DMV appointment or getting a line waiting concierge.
- Submit the required documents and surrender your license.
- You will need to pass a vision test.
- Pass the Sign test. (You will need to be able to recognize traffic signs and what they mean. Study Chapter 5 of the North Carolina Drivers Handbook before taking the test).
- Pass the Road test and Pay the fees.
What You’ll Need to Do to Renew your North Carolina Driver License by Mail
- Complete the application in its entirety. (Please Print, Date and Sign each page.)
- You must provide a permanent North Carolina address. You must provide a temporary out-of-state residence and mailing address.
- The vision statement must be completed and signed by a Vision Specialist or a Driver License Examiner in the State in which you temporarily reside. Vision exam completion must be within six months of application date. The vision scores must be acceptable numeric, readable acuity with no appearance of alterations.
- Valid, unexpired immigration documents, if applicable, must be included with this application. Please contact us at dmvdlosr@ncdot.gov or 919-861-3555 BEFORE submitting your application so that the correct fee amount can be provided to you.
- Check or money order payable to NCDMV in the exact amount with this application (starter checks are not accepted).
6. Mail documents to: NCDMV Attn: Military/Internet Unit 3176 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27697-3176
Here are North Carolina driver's license renewal exceptions to note:
- Military personnel and Department of Defense personnel must submit either Military or Department of Defense credentials along with this application. Documents presented must be legible with no appearance of alterations. (see list).
- 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.
Need more North Carolina DMV help?
Search the Skip blog or download the free Skip app on the App Store or Google Play. On the app, you can find more help, book services, and even ask our team questions via chat.
