Helpful Hints

Planning to take a trip to an N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles office? Here's some tips:

​​​ See online services available ​

• Find kiosk​. You can use a self-​​service kiosk​ to renew your license or ID, vehicle registration and order replacements​.​
  

• Shorter lines, short wait times. NCDMV has implemented a series of improvements to help improve service and reduce wait times. 

• Every driver license office serves walk-in customers from open to close, or until the ​capacity for that location has been reached.
  

• Set a date. Appointments can be scheduled up to seven days in advance at SkipTheLine.ncdot.gov​, but remember, they are not necessary.
  

• Do you need a REAL ID?  Take our quiz and if you need one, use our document checklist wizard​ to make sure you bring the correct documents.​​

• ​Bring the right stuff. Before leaving home, be sure you have the correct documents for what you need to do. You might also need additional documents for common tasks, such as ​getting a regular license, getting a North Carolina REAL ID license or ID and titling and registering a vehicle​.
• Don’t forget the holidays. NCDMV driver license offices and license plate agencies are closed 12 days each year in observance of state holidays, so be sure to check the schedule before heading out during those times of year.