Helpful Hints

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

• Go online. Many common NCDMV services, such as driver license renewal and vehicle registration renewal can be performed any time and any place on a computer or mobile device.
  
  You can also order a duplicate license or ID, vehicle registration card or personalized and specialized plates.

• View a full list of online services.​
  

• Shorter lines, short wait times. NCDMV has implemented a series of improvements to help improve service and reduce wait times. Q-Anywhere​ allows customers to avoid waiting in line at a driver license office.
  
  Every driver license office has also added walk-in capacity and now serves only walk-ins on weekday afternoons. You can even view current estimated walk-in wait times online.

• Set a date. Appointments are now only available in the mornings and can be scheduled up to 90 days in advance at SkipTheLine.ncdot.gov​. 
  
• Do you need a REAL ID?  The N.C. REAL ID will make it more convenient to board a commercial airplane if you don't have a passport or visit a military base or other federal facility, but it isn't required and won't be needed until May 7, 2025.
• ​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 standard driver license
• Getting an N.C. REAL ID driver license or ID
• Titling and registering a vehicle
• Remember Saturday hours in the summer. Some of the busiest NCDMV driver license offices in North Carolina are open beyond standard business hours and on Saturdays (from June-August).
• Don’t forget the holidays. NCDMV driver license offices and license plate agencies observe nine state holidays each year, so be sure to check the schedule before heading out during those times of year.