The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles offers current and retired personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces convenient options for renewing vehicle registrations, driver licenses as well as active-duty military and veteran designations.
To renew your vehicle registration if you are stationed outside of N.C., please call (877) 421-0020 for options pertaining to N.C. inspections.
Overseas vehicles
Members of the military with vehicles obtained overseas should call (919) 861-3500 if they are returning to N.C. with a:
- Foreign title
- Foreign Registration
- Military registration card
Vehicles purchased overseas are not exempt from taxes. A bill-of-sale and inspection completed in N.C. are required before registering a vehicle and obtaining an N.C. license plate.
When registering a vehicle purchased overseas, one of the following taxes will apply:
- 3 percent of purchase price for vehicles purchases from a dealer or online
- 3 percent of purchase price not to exceed $250 for a vehicle purchased by military personnel with military registration
- 3 percent of bill-of-sale for vehicles purchases overseas without registration
Highway-use tax
Military personnel (residents and non-residents) registering a vehicle in N.C. are NOT exempt from the
highway-use tax.
'VETERAN' driver license designation
North Carolina military veterans can apply to carry a "VETERAN" designation on their driver licenses and ID cards as proof of prior military service.
The designation is free, but fees associated with renewing or ordering a duplicate license or ID do apply.
To request the designation, take one of the following proofs of honorable discharge to a driver license office:
- DD-214 – Certificate of Release or Discharge
- DD-215 – Certificate of Release or Discharge
- WD AGO 53/55 – Report of Separation
- NAVMC 78-PD – Notice of Separation
- NAVPERS – Separation of Service
Motorcycle endorsements
Military personnel licensed in North Carolina but stationed outside the state can add or renew a motorcycle endorsement if they have a photo on file that was issued within the last eight years.
In addition to completing a
motorcycle endorsement application, they must submit to NCDMV a copy of their:
- Valid North Carolina driver license
- Military ID card
- Motorcycle Safety Foundation card (both front and back) along with written verification of its authenticity from a military safety officer on letterhead.
- A letter from the military installation's Safety Office verifying the completion of the motorcycle safety course on an installation and the authenticity of the Motorcycle Rider Card. The letter should also include written test scores for motorcycle knowledge if the required written test has not been taken in North Carolina.
Documents can be submitted via email at dmvdlosr@ncdot.gov or fax to (919) 861-3393.
Please note: Renewing a North Carolina driver license or ID card will cancel any licenses or ID cards from other states through the
State-to-State Verification Service.
CDL skills waiver
Can I get a military CDL waiver?
If you have recent experience driving large trucks in the military, you may be eligible to obtain a North Carolina Commercial Driver License, or CDL, without retaking the skills or knowledge tests normally required.
Before you get started let’s see which waiver you qualify for.
Does one of the qualifications below apply to you?
- You are military personnel who holds or has held a Military Driver License with an approved Military Occupation Specialties Rating, or MOS. Need more information? For a list of MOS ratings fall under the Even Exchange Program, visit the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Even Exchange Program website.
- You are a service member who is currently licensed in North Carolina and are or were employed in a military position requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a Commercial Motor Vehicle within 1-year immediately before the date of application.
If you meet one of the qualifications above, you are eligible for the Even Exchange Program, which waives both the CDL skills and knowledge tests.
Even Exchange Program
What if I'm not eligible for the Even Exchange Program?
If you’re not eligible for the Even Exchange Program, you can apply for the Military CDL Skills Waiver, which waives the CDL skills test only.
Military CDL Skills Waiver
Even Exchange Program
1. Gather your required documents and fill out your online form
- Have the documents below handy before you start your online application:
- Copy of your military ID (Current Service Member)
- Copy of your DD-214 (Veteran)
- Copy of your military driving record
- Copy of your Military Vehicle Operators Identification Card
- 2-year driving record from previous state of issuance if North Carolina license has not been issued for more than 2 years
- Commanding Officer’s name and military issued email address
- Copy of DOT Medical Certificate (Form MCSA-5876)
- Evidence that, during the 1-year period immediately prior to the application, you were regularly or are currently employed and designated in one MOS that fall under the Even Exchange Program
Apply for a CDL Skills Waiver
2. NCDMV notifies you by email
Once your request is processed, you will receive an email from NCDMV’s CDL Unit. Don't forget to check your spam folder.
If approved, you’ll have 30 days from the date of contact to visit a driver license office to be issued your commercial driver license.
Can I apply by mail?
Although online is the easiest and fastest way to complete this service, you can also apply for a CDL Skills Test waiver by mail.
Apply by mail
CDL Skills Test Waiver
1. Gather your documents and fill out your online form
Have the documents below handy before you start your online application:
- Copy of your military ID (Current Service Member)
- Copy of your DD-214 (Veteran)
- Copy of your military driving record
- Copy of your Military Vehicle Operators Identification Card
- 2-year driving record from previous state of issuance if North Carolina license has not been issued for more than 2 years
- Commanding Officer’s name and military issued email address
Apply for a CDL Skills Waiver
2. NCDMV notifies you by email
Once your request is processed, you will receive an email from NCDMV’s CDL Unit. Don't forget to check your spam folder.
If approved, you’ll have 30 days from the date of contact to visit a
driver license office to be issued your commercial driver license.
Can I apply by mail?
Although online is the easiest and fastest way to complete this service, you can also apply for a CDL Skills Test waiver by mail.
Apply by mail
Apply By Mail
1. Gather your documents and download the form
Depending on what type of waiver you would like, you will need different documents.
For both CDL Skills Test Waiver and Even Exchange Program:
- Copy of your military ID (Current Service Member)
- Copy of your DD-214 (Veteran)
- Copy of your military driving record
- Copy of your Military Vehicle Operators Identification Card
- 2-year driving record from previous state of issuance if North Carolina license has not been issued for more than 2 years
- Commanding Officer’s name and military issued email address
You will need the following additional documents if you are applying for the Even Exchange Program:
- Copy of DOT Medical Certificate (Form MCSA-5876)
- Evidence that, during the 1-year period immediately prior to the application, you were regularly or are currently employed and designated in one of the Military Occupation Specialties (MOS’s) that fall under the Even Exchange Program
Download the form
2. Mail your form
Mail your form and documents to:
NCDMV CDL Section
3177 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27697
3. NCDMV notifies you by email
Once your request is processed, you will receive an email from NCDMV’s CDL Unit. Don't forget to check your spam folder.
If approved, you’ll have 30 days from the date of contact to visit a driver license office to be issued your commercial driver license.
Questions?
For questions about the commercial driver license waiver process for military personnel, call (919) 861-3319.