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Services for Military Personnel

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Services for Military Personnel
​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.

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  • Driver license renewal

    ​​​​Members of the U.S. Armed Forces or a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces ​may renew their North Carolina driver license in a driver license office before being deployed using the military designation.

    Please note: Renewing a North Carolina driver license will cancel any licenses from other states through the State-to-State Verification program​​.

    A driver license with a military designation that has been issued to active-duty military personnel may be renewed without limitation​ ​​​in a driver license office. Military or Department of Defense documents must be provided.

    Military spouses and dependents who are temporarily residing out-of-state may renew their standard license by mail​​ no more than once by mail in their lifetime. A license renewed under these conditions will expire 60 days after the license holder returns to North Carolina.

    The original renewal application with check or money order can be mailed to:

    Military/Internet Unit
    3176 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27697-3176

    Requirements

    A driver license applicant must meet the following requirements:

    • They have military orders placing them on active duty outside North Carolina
    • Their Class C North Carolina driver license has not expired or has expired less than two years and a day
    • Their last renewal must have been completed in person.
    • They have on file with NCDMV a photo that was issued within the last eight years​
    • They have on file with NCDMV a Social Security number or a U.S. government-issued document indicating legal presence
    • They have a permanent verifiable residential address or address of a host family in North Carolina

    Individuals must provide a copy of a valid military ID (front and back), sign and date both a provided vision statement and a National Sex Offender Affidavit to renew by mail.

    Restrictions

    A driver license with a military designation may be renewed no more than two times by mail during the license holder’s lifetime.

    A dependent holding a full provisional driver license can upgrade to a Class C driver license if their license has been expired for less than a year and they are 18 years old. They will need to meet the issuance requirements and complete the application.​

  • Title and vehicle registration

    ​To title and register a vehicle, military personnel must meet registration require​​ments​​ and pay appropriate fees.

    To renew your vehicle registration if you are stationed outside of North Carolina, please call 877-421-0020 for options pertaining to North Carolina inspections.

    Overseas vehicles

    Members of the military with vehicles obtained overseas should call 919-861-3500 if they are returning to North Carolina 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 North Carolina are required before registering a vehicle and obtaining a North Carolina 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 North Carolina are NOT exempt from the highway-use tax.

  • Turning in a plate and cancelling liability insurance

    ​Because state law requires continuous liability insurance on all registered vehicles, a vehicle owner should cancel their insurance only after they have turned in their North Carolina license plate to NCDMV. This includes owners storing a vehicle for an extended period.​ 

    Canceling insurance before returning the license plate will result in a fine for failure to maintain continuous insurance coverage.

    North Carolina license plates can be returned to any license plate agency​ or by mailing them to:

    NCDMV Vehicle Registration Section
    Renewal Title & Plate Unit
    3148 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27697-3148

    ​Receipts are provided upon request.

  • 'VETERAN' designation on driver license or ID

    ​​​​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, find out 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 one 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. Currently, applications for the Even Exchange Program are only accepted by mail.

Apply for Even Exchange Program
​​

What if I am not eligible for the Even Exchange Program?

If you are not eligible for the Even Exchange Program, you can apply for the Military CDL Skills Waiver, which just waives the CDL skills test.​​​ Currently, applications for a CDL skills test waiver are only accepted by mail.​

Apply for ​Military CDL Skills Waiver​​​

Even Exchange Program

1. Gather your documents and download the 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

Download Even Exchange Program Military Application​​

2. Mail your application​​​

Mail your application and documents to:

NCDMV CDL Section
3177 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27697​

3. ​NCDMV notifies you by email of the status of your application​​​

Once your request is processed, you will receive an email from NCDMV’s CDL Unit. Do not forget to check your spam folder.​​​

If approved, you will have 30 days from the date of contact to visit a driver license office to be issued your commercial driver license.

CDL Skills Test Waiver

1. Gather your documents and download the 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

Download CDL Skills Waiver Application​

2. Mail your application

Mail your application and documents to:

NCDMV CDL Section
3177 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27697​

3. NCDMV notifies you by email of the status of your application​

Once your request is processed, you will receive an email from NCDMV’s CDL Unit. Do not forget to check your spam folder.​​​

If approved, you will 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 CDL waiver process for military personnel, call 919-861-3319.


7/23/2026 11:25 AM

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