How to Get Your Driver's License in North Carolina

Applying as a New Driver

Study for the driver's test. If you're applying for your first driver's license, you'll need to pass both a written test and a driving test. If you take a driver's education course, it will get you ready for the driving test. To get ready for the written test, read the driver's handbook several times and practice recognizing warning signs. Download a digital copy of the driver's manual at https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/handbooks.aspx. You can also pick up a paper copy at any DMV office. You can take practice tests for the written knowledge and traffic signs tests at https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/driver-license-tests.aspx.

Gather your required documents. To get a driver's license, you must show 1 original document that proves your identity and birth date, 1 document that shows your Social Security number or legal presence in the US, and 2 documents that show your legal address of residence in the state of North Carolina. You also must have proof that you have liability insurance. Acceptable documents include the following: Identity/birth date: valid US passport, US birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, valid US military ID Social Security number: Social Security card, W-2 form, passport with US visa Proof of residency (for adults 18 and over): Preprinted bank or corporate statement with your name and address, pay stub with your name and address, lease or mortgage, receipt for property taxes, current auto insurance policy with your name and address Proof of insurance: insurance policy, insurance card with your name and policy numberTip: All of the documents you bring must match the name you currently use. If you've changed your name, you must also bring certified evidence of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Bring additional documents if you want a REAL ID. You aren't required to get a REAL ID. However, if you want to use your driver's license as ID to get into federal buildings or fly domestically, federal law requires that your driver's license be a REAL ID after October 20, 2020. For a REAL ID, in addition to the regular documents, you must bring 2 documents that show proof of residency (rather than just 1). If you decide to get a REAL ID, your driver's license will have a gold star on it. Driver's licenses that aren't REAL IDs will include a statement that reads "Not for federal identification."

Visit the nearest DMV office. You have to go in person to get your first driver's license. If you live in a more populated area, you may be required to make an appointment to take your tests. Even if it is not required, an appointment will cut down on your wait time. If you don't know where the nearest DMV office is, go to https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/locate-dmv-office/Pages/dmv-offices.aspx and enter your county, city, or ZIP code. Make sure the location you choose is a full-service location that offers driver's tests for new drivers.

Take your driver's tests. At the DMV office, you'll take the road test with a DMV officer, the written test, then the warning signs and vision tests. Written tests are multiple-choice and are offered in different languages. You can also request to take an oral test. If you wear glasses or contacts, you can choose to take the vision test with or without corrective lenses. If you cannot pass the vision test without corrective lenses, you'll have a restriction on your license. If you're pulled over and are driving without corrective lenses, the penalty is the same as if you were driving without a license. The driving skills test will assess your ability to maneuver the car in normal traffic situations, including turning, following other vehicles, passing, backing, approaching intersections, and coming to a complete stop. The officer will also evaluate your ability to follow basic traffic rules.

Sign up for other registries or programs if necessary. When you get your first license, you also have the ability to sign up for other programs. Most of these programs are optional. You can change your enrollment at any time. Other programs available include: Organ donation Voter registration Selective Service registration: required for all men 18 to 25 years old, unless you meet one of the narrow exemptions REAL ID (allows travel on commercial airlines and entry to federal facilities, including military bases)

Pay the fees for your driver's license. Provided you pass all the tests and have all required documents, your license will be issued. North Carolina driver's licenses are normally valid for 8 years. If you're 66 or older, your license will only be valid for 5 years before it must be renewed. As of 2019, the fees for a Class C driver's license are $5 per year. If you're under the age of 66, you would pay a total of $40 for your license. A Class C driver's license is usually all you'll need if you're just going to be driving a personal automobile or small truck. You can use most common methods of payment, including major credit or debit cards and cash.

Get your photo taken for your driver's license. A DMV officer will take your photo for your license and get your signature. Both will be in digital format and included on your driver's license. Make sure your hair is styled in such a way that your entire face is visible. You are not allowed to wear a hat or anything on top of your head except for religious reasons. If you have to wear a head-covering for religious reasons, your entire face should still be visible for your driver's license photograph.

Moving to North Carolina

Gather the documents you'll need to apply for a license. Apply for your North Carolina driver's license within 60 days of moving to the state. You'll need original documents to prove your identity, citizenship status, and residency. You'll also need to prove that you are covered by automobile liability insurance. Acceptable documents include: Identity/date of birth: US birth certificate, valid US passport, driver's license from another state Social Security number/citizenship: Social Security card, W-2 form, visa or immigration documents Residency (1 for regular license, 2 for REAL ID): lease or mortgage statement, pre-printed bank or corporate statement with your name and address, pay stub with your name and address, utility bill or statement with your name and address, property tax receipt Proof of insurance: insurance card with your name and policy number, insurance policyTip: Once you get a North Carolina driver's license, any license you had in a previous state is no longer valid. If you still have your out-of-state driver's license, you'll be expected to surrender it.

Apply in person at the DMV office nearest you. When you get your first North Carolina driver's license, you have to go to the DMV in person. You may want to call ahead to see if you can make an appointment, especially if you live in a larger city. If you don't know the location of the nearest DMV, go to https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/locate-dmv-office/Pages/dmv-offices.aspx and enter the county, city, or ZIP code where you live.

Take the vision test. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, you typically won't have to take the driving skills test or written test. However, you will have to take the vision test. If you cannot pass the vision test without wearing glasses or contacts, you will have a "corrective lenses" restriction on your driver's license. Even if you had a corrective lenses restriction on your driver's license from another state, you still have to take the vision test in North Carolina.

Pay the driver's license fee. As of 2019, the fees for a North Carolina driver's license are $5 per year for a Class C driver's license. This type of license allows you to drive a personal automobile or light truck for non-commercial purposes. North Carolina driver's licenses are valid for 8 years (5 years if you're 66 or older), so typically you would pay $40 total for your license to be issued. Most common methods of payment are accepted, including major credit or debit cards.

Have your photo taken for your license. Provided you pass the vision test and your documents are in order, a DMV officer will take your photo for your license and get your signature. Both of these will be included on your license. Do not wear anything on your head for your driver's license photo unless you are required to wear a head covering for religious reasons. Even if you're wearing a religious head covering, your entire face must be visible for the photo.

Renewing Your License

Go online if you meet the requirements. Not everybody can renew their license online, but if you can, it's far more convenient than renewing in person. To renew your license online, go to https://edmv.ncdot.gov/DriverLicenseRenewal and agree with the identity statement to get started. You can complete your renewal up to 6 months before your license expires. Generally, you cannot renew online if you: Have a suspended license Owe money to the DMV Have any restriction on your license other than corrective lenses Need to renew a commercial license or limited learner permit Are not a US citizen Need to change your addressWarning: If you have a regular driver's license that is not suitable for federal identification and want to upgrade it to a REAL ID, you cannot do this online. You'll have to complete your renewal in person.

Visit your nearest DMV office if you can't renew online. If your photo hasn't been taken in a while, you may be required to renew in person even if you would otherwise be eligible to renew online. If you have to change any of the information on your license, such as your name or address, bring the appropriate documents to support the change. For example, if your name has changed, you would need to bring documents that proved the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you need to change the gender marker on your driver's license, bring an original or certified copy of a gender designation form signed by a physician or psychiatrist, a passport or birth certificate with the proper gender marker, or a court order recognizing the gender.Tip: If license renewal doesn't require a new photo but you want a new photo taken, be sure to tell the DMV officer.

Pay your renewal fees. The fees to renew a license are the same as those for issuing a new one ($5 a year, as of 2019). If you're renewing your license online, you can pay with any major credit or debit card. If you're applying in person, you can use cash, a money order, a personal check, or a major credit or debit card. If you're paying with a check, make it payable to NCDMV and provide 2 forms of identification. Your check must be issued by a North Carolina bank or a bank with a branch in the state.

Complete a mail renewal if you're temporarily living out of state. If you have a permanent address in North Carolina but are living out of the state for at least 30 days, you can renew your license by mail. You can only do this once every other renewal cycle. Renewal by mail is also available for military stationed out of the state or overseas. Download the out-of-state renewal packet at https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/downloads/Documents/out-of-state-renewal-packet.pdf and follow the instructions. Make sure you complete the packet well before your license expires, so you have plenty of time to get your new one.