I'm Moving to N.C.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What do I need to do if I am moving to North Carolina?​

Within 60 days of establishing a permanent residence in North Carolina, if you plan to operate a motor vehicle, you must get a North Carolina driver license, as well as title and register your vehicles with the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.

Because each state is different, you should also familiarize yourself with the N.C. Driver Handbook, which outlines North Carolina's laws and regulations regarding roadway safety.

You must get a license or ID first before titling and registering your vehicle in N.C.​

What would you like to do?

Get a LicenseTitle or Register Your Vehicle

How do I get a license?

To apply for a North Carolina driver license, you must visit an NCDMV driver license office with the following:

1. Out-of-state license or one document (with full name) proving identity and date of birth​
   

2. Social Security card or other document proving Social Security number

3. One document verifying physical address in North Carolina (two are required if getting an NC REAL ID)

4. If you were not born in the U.S., one document (with full name) proving legal presence/lawful status

5. A printed document proving liability insurance coverage from a provider licensed to do business in North Carolina (images on a mobile device will not be accepted) ​
   

Note: Your name must match the name on the documents above, otherwise you must provide a proof of name change, such as a certified marriage license or certificate, divorce decree or document from the courts or Register of Deeds.

Download Document Checklist

What other details do I need to know?

• Written and road tests may be waived if you have a valid license from another state.
• Once North Carolina issues a driver license, out-of-state licenses are no longer valid and should be properly discarded or surrendered to:
  ​
  N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles
  Driver License Section
  3120 Mail Service Center
  Raleigh, NC 27697-3120
  
• Additional requirements may apply, depending on the type of license and individual needs.
• A valid license issued by a government agency from a U.S. state or another country is required to drive legally in North Carolina. North Carolina law enforcement authorities do not recognize international driver licenses.
• More information about applying for a driver license for the first time can be found on the New Drivers page of this website.​​
  

Find an Office​

​How do I title and register my vehicle?

​After obtaining a North Carolina driver license, you must also register your vehicle when you accept gainful employment or at the expiration of the time granted by the reciprocity agreement between North Carolina and your prior state of residence (usually 30 days), whichever occurs first.

To register, take the following to a local license plate agency:

1. Vehicle title (or if held by a lender, a registration card)
2. MVR-1 Title Application
3. MVR-180 Odometer Disclosure (if vehicle is less than 10 years old)
4. A North Carolina driver license or a valid out-of-state driver license along with a North Carolina Temporary Driving Certificate
5. North Carolina vehicle insurance information