Can I renew my license or ID by mail?
Using online services or a self-service kiosk is the easiest and fastest way to renew your license or ID. If you can't complete a renewal with one of those ways or in-person, then you may be able to renew by mail.
Renew Online, at a Kiosk, or In-Person
Active in the military? You'll need to renew a different way.
Military Renewal
If you are a North Carolina resident, you may renew your standard driver license
once by mail in your lifetime if you are temporarily living outside of the state for at least 30 continuous days.
Licenses renewed by mail are temporary and expire 60 days after you return to North Carolina or on the expiration date on the face of the license, whichever comes first.
1. What you'll need to renew by mail
- A verifiable permanent North Carolina residence address
- A North Carolina Class C driver license that has been expired less than two years
- A photo on file with the NCDMV that was issued within the last eight years (less than age 65)
- A Social Security number or a U.S. government-issued document indicating legal presence on file with NCDMV
Please note: At this time, commerical driver licenses and Class A and B licenses can only be renewed in-person. Commercial licenses cannot be renewed by mail.
2. Gather your documents, complete the renewal packet and send it
You will need the following documents available:
- You must provide a permanent North Carolina address and a temporary out-of-state residence and mailing address.
- Your vision statement must be completed and signed by a vision specialist or a driver license examiner in the state in which you temporarily reside. The vision exam must be completed within six months of application date, and the 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 use the contact information on the form to contact NCDMV
before submitting your application so that the correct fee amount can be provided to you.
- You must sign and date both a provided vision statement and a National Sex Offender Affidavit to renew by mail.
- Please send a check or money order payable to NCDMV in the exact amount with this application (starter checks are not accepted). DO NOT SEND CASH.
Apply to renew by mail by filling out the form below. Read the form carefully and fill it out completely before mailing it to NCDMV.
Download renewal packet
Mail your application to:
NCDMV
3176 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27697-3176
3. Your new license/ID will arrive in the mail within 20 business days after your packet has been received and processed.