Official NCDMV: N.C. REAL ID

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Getting an N.C. REAL ID

Your first N.C. REAL ID cannot be obtained online. It can only be issued at a driver license office, where required documents will be scanned and permanently stored in your NCDMV record, as required by federal law.

Before heading to a driver license office to get your REAL ID, use our N.C. REAL ID Document Wizard to create a document checklist to make sure you have everything you need.

Create a Personalized Document Checklist

Preparing for Your Visit

Use your checklist to gather the documents needed for your N.C. REAL ID. Bring them as you visit an NCDMV Office near you.

Find an Office

What is REAL ID?

Beginning May 7, 2025, federal agencies will enforce the REAL ID Act, which requires a REAL ID, U.S. passport or another federally approved identification to board commercial flights and enter secure federal buildings.

The N.C. REAL ID is a REAL ID Act-compliant driver license or state ID card that is just like a traditional license or ID but has a star at the top. Driver licenses and IDs without a star are noted "Not for Federal Purposes."

Real Id License Card — N.C. REAL ID driver licenses and IDs carry a star in the top right corner.

Standard Id Card — Without a star, licenses and IDs now carry the stamp "Not for Federal Purposes."

N.C. REAL ID Is Completely Optional

You do not need a REAL ID driver license or identification card to do any of the following:

Drive
Vote
Apply for or receive federal benefits (e.g., Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, etc.)
Enter a federal facility that does not require an ID (e.g., a post office)
Access a hospital or receive life-saving services
Participate in law enforcement proceedings or investigations (e.g., serve on a federal jury, testify in federal court, etc.)

A REAL ID, however, might be helpful for anyone who frequently:

Boards a commercial airplane
Visits nuclear sites
Visits military bases
Visits federal courthouses, federal prisons or other federal facilities

An individual without a REAL ID or U.S. passport may still be able to board flights or make visits to the facilities mentioned above, but they may have to provide additional documentation with their traditional license or ID.

Fees

Getting a n N.C. REAL ID driver license or ID card costs the same as getting any other license or ID for the first time, and the process is similar.

Applying for a North Carolina driver license or ID card will cancel any licenses or ID cards from other states through the State-to-State Verification program.

If you get an N.C. REAL ID outside of the renewal period, the cost is same as a duplicate license or ID card. You will have to take a new photo, but no tests are required.

The cost is the same as a renewal, if the REAL ID is obtained within six months of expiration. You will have to take a vision test and take a new photo.