The Winston-Salem DMV office location and what you can do there

North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles office in Winston-Salem is located at 2707 North Pointe Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. This is the main office serving Forsyth County and the surrounding area. You can visit in person to renew your license, take your road test, get a replacement card, update your address, or handle most other driver license transactions.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on weekends and state holidays. Hours can change, so call ahead at (336) 727-2000 before you go, especially if you need a specific service or want to confirm wait times.

Parking is available on-site. The office is accessible by car from I-40 and is near other businesses on North Pointe Drive, making it relatively straightforward to find if you're coming from different parts of Winston-Salem or the surrounding towns.

Key Takeaways

  • The Winston-Salem DMV office is at 2707 North Pointe Drive and handles driver license renewals, road tests, replacements, and address changes.
  • Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with no weekend or holiday service.
  • Call (336) 727-2000 to confirm hours, check wait times, or ask whether a specific service is available that day.
  • You can take your road test at this location if you have already passed your written test and have a learner's permit.
  • Bring your current license, proof of residency, and any other documents the DMV website lists for your specific transaction.

What documents to bring

The documents you need depend on what you are doing. For a renewal, bring your current driver's license and proof that your address is current (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works). If you are renewing after it has expired, you may also need to pass a vision test at the office.

For a road test, bring your learner's permit, proof of insurance, and the vehicle you will be tested in. The vehicle must be registered and in safe working condition. If you are getting a replacement card because yours was lost or stolen, bring a police report if you have one, though it is not always required.

For an address change, bring your current license and proof of your new address. Check the North Carolina DMV website before you go to confirm the exact documents for your situation, since requirements can vary by transaction type.

Road testing at the Winston-Salem office

The Winston-Salem DMV office administers road tests for drivers who have passed their written test and hold a valid learner's permit. You must schedule your test in advance — you cannot walk in and test the same day. You can schedule online through the North Carolina DMV website or by calling the office directly.

Road tests are offered during regular business hours. You will drive a set route in and around Winston-Salem while an examiner watches and scores your performance on steering, braking, signaling, parking, and following traffic laws. The test usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Bring your learner's permit, proof of insurance for the vehicle you are driving, and the vehicle itself. The car must have working brakes, lights, wipers, and mirrors, and it must be registered. If you fail, you can retake the test, but you will need to schedule another appointment and pay the test fee again.

Wait times and what to expect

Wait times at the Winston-Salem office vary by day and time of day. Mornings and early afternoons tend to be busier than late afternoons. Mondays and Fridays are often more crowded than mid-week days. If you arrive early in the morning, you may wait 30 minutes to an hour. If you go on a quieter afternoon, the wait can be much shorter.

The office uses a ticket system. When you arrive, take a number and wait for your turn. You can call ahead to ask about current wait times, and the staff can sometimes tell you which times are typically slower. Bring something to read or do, since you may wait before being called.

If you are taking a road test, your appointment time is reserved, so you will not wait as long as someone doing a walk-in transaction. Still, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to check in and make sure your paperwork is in order.

Nearby alternatives if you cannot visit North Pointe Drive

If the Winston-Salem office is not convenient, North Carolina has other DMV offices in nearby counties. The Greensboro office is about 30 miles away and serves Guilford County. The High Point office serves High Point and surrounding areas. Both offer the same services as Winston-Salem and may have different wait times.

Some transactions can also be handled by mail or online. License renewals for drivers whose licenses are not expired can often be renewed online through the North Carolina DMV website without visiting an office. Address changes can sometimes be done online as well. Check the DMV website to see which services you can handle remotely before making a trip.

If you live outside Winston-Salem but need to take your road test, you can test at any DMV office in the state. You do not have to test where you live. Some people choose to test at a quieter office in a neighboring county if they think wait times will be shorter.

Preparing for your visit

Before you go, write down what you need to do — renew, replace, change your address, or test. Then go to the North Carolina DMV website and find the page for that specific transaction. It will list the exact documents you need and any fees you should bring. Fees vary by service and are paid at the office, usually in cash or card.

Gather your documents at home and make copies if you think you might need them. Bring more than you think you need rather than less. If you are unsure whether a document counts as proof of residency or proof of identity, call the office and ask. A five-minute phone call can save you a wasted trip.

If you are taking a road test, practice beforehand. Drive the roads around Winston-Salem, practice parking in tight spaces, and review the rules of the road. The test is not designed to trick you, but you do need to show that you can handle a car safely and follow traffic laws.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my road test at the Winston-Salem office without scheduling ahead?

No. You must schedule your road test in advance through the North Carolina DMV website or by calling (336) 727-2000. Walk-ins for road tests are not accepted. Schedule as soon as you pass your written test so you can get an appointment time that works for you.

What if I fail my road test?

You can retake the test, but you will need to schedule another appointment and pay the test fee again. There is no waiting period between attempts in North Carolina. You can schedule your next test as soon as you are ready, though appointments may not be available when ready.

Do I need an appointment for a license renewal or address change?

No. Renewals and address changes are walk-in services at the Winston-Salem office. Take a number when you arrive and wait for your turn. Calling ahead to ask about wait times can help you choose a good time to visit.

Can I renew my license online instead of going to the office?

Yes, if your license is not expired and you meet other requirements. You can renew online through the North Carolina DMV website. If your license is expired or you need other services, you will need to visit the office in person.

What should I do if I lose my documents on the way to the office?

Call the office at (336) 727-2000 and explain the situation. The staff can tell you whether you can reschedule or whether you can still be served with different documents. It is better to call and ask than to arrive unprepared and waste a trip.