Documents and information required for NC driver's license renewal
To renew your North Carolina driver's license by mail or online, you will need your current license, a completed process for Drivers License or Learners Permit (Form DL-43), and proof of your Social Security number. You do not need to provide additional identity documents if you are renewing a standard license and your address has not changed. If you have moved, you must show proof of your current residence — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days will work.
The specific documents shift if you are renewing after a name change, if your license has been expired for more than five years, or if you are renewing in person rather than by mail. North Carolina also requires that your license not be suspended or revoked, and that you have no outstanding traffic violations or unpaid tickets in the state system.
Key Takeaways
- Your current North Carolina driver's license and a completed Form DL-43 are the core documents needed for any renewal.
- If your address has changed, bring a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within 60 days.
- Renewals by mail cost $20 for a four-year license and take about two weeks; online renewals are faster but only work if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person at a Division of Motor Vehicles office and may need to retake the written test.
- You can check whether your license is may be able to access for mail or online renewal on the North Carolina DMV website before you submit anything.
Renewing by mail versus in person
Mail renewal is the simplest path if your license is current and your information has not changed. You send your completed Form DL-43, your current license, and the $20 fee to the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two weeks, and you do not need to visit an office. This option is available only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your name.
In-person renewal at a Division of Motor Vehicles office is required if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you have had a name change, or if you want to update your photo. You will need to bring your current license (or an expired one if it has been more than five years), Form DL-43, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address if you have moved. The office will take a new photo and process your renewal on the spot. Bring your original Social Security card, a W-2, a tax return, or a 1099 form to prove your number if you do not have a card.
Online renewal may be able to access and process
North Carolina allows online renewal through its DMV website if your license is not expired, you have not changed your name, and your address is current in the system. You will need your license number, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The fee is $20, and you can pay by debit or credit card. Your new license will be mailed to you within two weeks.
Before you start an online renewal, check the DMV website to confirm your may be able to access. If the system tells you that you cannot renew online, you will need to use the mail option or visit an office in person. Online renewal does not include a new photo, so your current photo will be used on your renewed license.
Proof of Social Security number and address
You must show proof of your Social Security number, but you do not need to provide it in every format. An original Social Security card is the clearest proof, but you can also use a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a pay stub with your full number on it. If you are renewing by mail, include a copy of one of these documents with your Form DL-43.
Proof of your current address is required only if you have moved since your last license was issued. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days will satisfy this requirement. The document must show your name and your current address. If you are renewing by mail, include a copy; if you are renewing in person, bring the original or a certified copy.
Fees and processing times
A four-year standard driver's license renewal costs $20 in North Carolina. This fee is the same whether you renew by mail or in person. If you renew online, you pay the $20 fee by debit or credit card at the time you submit your process. If you renew by mail, include a check or money order payable to "North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles" with your Form DL-43.
Mail renewal takes about two weeks from the time the DMV receives your process. Online renewal also takes about two weeks for your new license to arrive by mail. In-person renewal at a DMV office is faster — you will receive your new license when ready or within a few days, depending on the office's workload. Some offices offer same-day service for in-person renewals.
Name changes and expired licenses
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, court order, or any other reason — you cannot renew by mail or online. You must visit a Division of Motor Vehicles office in person. Bring your current license, Form DL-43, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your current address, and a document showing your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The office will take a new photo and issue your renewed license with your new name.
If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must also renew in person. The DMV may require you to retake the written test to confirm that you still know the rules of the road. Bring the same documents you would bring for a name change, and allow extra time for the office visit. Call ahead to ask whether the office requires a written test for your situation.
What to do if your license is suspended or revoked
You cannot renew your driver's license if it is suspended or revoked. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. Suspensions are usually caused by unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, or failure to appear in court. Revocations are more serious and are typically the result of multiple violations or a DUI conviction.
Contact the DMV directly to find out why your license is suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to clear it. You can call the DMV's customer service line or visit a local office. Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can proceed with your renewal using the standard process for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew by mail or online using the standard process. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office and may need to retake the written test. Check the DMV website or call to confirm whether a test is required for your case.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
Mail and online renewals use your current photo from your existing license. Only in-person renewals include a new photo. If you want a new photo on your license, you must visit a DMV office in person.
What if I moved and my address is wrong on my license?
Bring proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days — along with your other renewal documents. If you are renewing by mail, include a copy. If you are renewing in person, bring the original or a certified copy. The DMV will update your address during the renewal process.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Both mail and online renewals take about two weeks for your new license to arrive. In-person renewals are faster — you may receive your license the same day or within a few days, depending on the office. Some DMV offices offer same-day service.
What if I cannot find my Social Security card?
You can show proof of your Social Security number using a W-2, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a recent pay stub with your full number on it. Any of these documents will work in place of your Social Security card.