Is there a grace period for NC driving with an expired license? What law enforcement says
North Carolina has explicit laws that require drivers to renew their licenses every so often.
Drivers between the ages of 18 and 65 are required to renew their licenses every eight years, while drivers aged 66 and older are required to renew every five years, according to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV).
But with long lines and limited appointment availability at many NCDMV offices, it can be hard to schedule a time to renew before your license expires.
The state’s population has grown by about 2.4 million people since 2003, or about 29%, but NCDMV has been unable to keep up with demand, The News & Observer reported.
The General Assembly set a cap on the number of people who can work in DMV driver’s license offices at 568, but NCDMV says it needs 70 more than that to fully operate its 115 driver’s license offices statewide.
Last winter, the agency asked for permission to hire 40 more license examiners at a cost of $2.6 million for pay and benefits, but lawmakers didn’t provide any, because they didn’t authorize the increase or pass a new budget, The N&O reported.
So what if your license expires, but you can’t get a DMV appointment in time? Is there a a grace period where you can avoid a citation for driving with an expired license? Here’s what to know.
Is there a grace period for expired driver licenses in NC?
There is no grace period for expired driver licenses in North Carolina, Master Trooper Christopher Casey with N.C. State Highway Patrol told The Charlotte Observer.
That means you could receive a citation for driving with an expired license, even if your license is only expired by a few days.
Can you renew an expired driver license online in NC?
Driver licenses can be renewed online or at a self-service kiosk up to two years after their expiration dates, according to NCDMV.
After that, renewals must be done in-person at an NCDMV office.
Drivers can only renew their licenses online every other time, meaning you’ll have to visit a driver license office to renew if you completed the process online last time, according to NCDMV.
NCDMV says other groups who have to renew their licenses in person include those who:
Have a suspended license or outstanding debt with NCDMV
Have a restriction other than “Corrective Lenses” on their driver license and/or “24” on their full provisional license
Need to renew a commercial driver licenses, regular Class A or B driver license, limited provisional license, limited learner permit or learner permit
Have a U.S. government document indicating legal presence
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How to renew an expired license in-person in NC
Visit ncdot.gov/dmv to renew online or schedule an appointment.
In some cases, those who renew their license in person must pass the following tests, according to NCDMV:
Written knowledge: Covers traffic laws and safe-driving practice
Traffic signs: Covers regulatory and warning signs
Vision: Applicants must meet vision standards for driving in North Carolina
Driving skills: Covers driving skills and ability to perform basic driving patterns
If you want to renew a license that has been lost or stolen, you’ll have to provide two documents verifying your identity, such as a birth certificate, passport or social security card.
You can renew your license up to six months before expiration.
How much does it cost to renew your license in NC?
There is a $16.75 fee for license renewals, according to NCDMV.
This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Is there a grace period for NC driving with an expired license? What law enforcement says."
