Long lines, no appointments? How to complain about NC DMV problems

Long lines at NCDMV driver’s license offices across the state have made regular tasks like renewing a license seemingly impossible.

This winter, the DMV asked for permission to hire 61 additional people to fill holes at its driver’s license offices, particularly in the Triangle and Charlotte areas, and create another 24 positions to open new offices in fast-growing Brunswick and Cabarrus counties and to expand the office in South Durham. Those requests were included in Gov. Josh Stein’s proposed state budget but not in the version approved by the Senate this week.

The number of full-time employees permitted to work in DMV driver’s license offices is established by the General Assembly and capped at 568. NCDMV says its staffing has not kept up with population growth in recent decades, contributing to the long lines and delays, The N&O reported.

But for now, the issue remains. As of Thursday, April 17, there were no appointments available to renew a driver’s license at any of NCDMV’s 115 offices statewide. (Nearly all driver’s license offices serve walk-in customers on weekday afternoons, though people should prepare for long waits.)

If you’re frustrated about long lines at your local driver’s license office, here’s who you can contact.

How to complain about the NCDMV

To get in touch with the NCDMV, you can:

• Call 919-715-7000 on weekdays during business hours.
• Fill out the DMV Customer Service Survey at ncdot.gov/dmv. The online form asks questions about wait time satisfaction and provides a space for feedback and suggestions.
• Send a message to the DMV online at ncdot.gov/contact.

You can also contact NC Secretary of Transportation Joey Hopkins by calling 919-707-2800 or emailing jhopkins@ncdot.gov.

How to contact my representative

You can find contact information for state representatives and state senators in Charlotte and Triangle counties using the following links:

• Mecklenburg: ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Mecklenburg

• Wake: ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Wake

• Durham: ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Durham

• Orange: ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Orange

• Chatham: ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Chatham

• Johnston: ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Johnston

How to contact NC governor

Gov. Stein’s office can be reached by filling out a form online at governor.nc.gov/contact/contact-governor-stein or by calling 919-814-2000.

You can also reach out to the leaders of the NC legislature:

• The NC House Speaker is Rep. Destin Hall. He can be reached at 919-733-3451 or at Destin.Hall@ncleg.gov.

• The NC Senate leader is Sen. Phil Berger. He can be reached at 919-733-5708 or at Phil.Berger@ncleg.gov.

How to contact NC transportation committees

Senate Transportation Committee Chairs include:

• Sen. Michael Lazzara (Onslow): 919-715-3034; Michael.Lazzara@ncleg.gov

• Sen. Bill Rabon (Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover): 919-733-5963; Bill.Rabon@ncleg.gov

• Sen. Vickie Sawyer (Iredell, Mecklenburg): 919-715-3038; Vickie.Sawyer@ncleg.gov

House Transportation Committee Chairs include:

• Rep. Jay Adams (Catawba): 919-733-5988; Jay.Adams@ncleg.gov

• Rep. Frank Iler (Brunswick): 919-301-1450; Frank.Iler@ncleg.gov

• Rep. Jeffrey McNeely (Iredell): 919-733-5661; Jeffrey.McNeely@ncleg.gov

• Rep. Phil Shepard (Onslow): 910-389-6392; Phil.Shepard@ncleg.gov

• Rep. Steve Tyson (Craven): 919-733-5853; Steve.Tyson@ncleg.gov

Reporting from The News & Observer’s Richard Stradling contributed to this story.

This story was originally published April 17, 2025 at 3:33 PM with the headline "Long lines, no appointments? How to complain about NC DMV problems."

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.