Location and Hours for the Winston-Salem North Office

The Winston-Salem North Driver License Office is located at 2405 North Cherry Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. This is one of two full-service DMV locations in Forsyth County and handles standard driver license transactions for the northern part of the city and surrounding areas.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on weekends and state holidays. There is no Saturday service at this location. If you need to renew or replace a license outside these hours, you can use the online renewal system through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles website, which is available 24 hours a day for may be able to access transactions.

Parking is available on-site. The office does not require an appointment for most transactions, but wait times vary depending on the time of day and day of the week. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter waits than Friday afternoons.

Key Takeaways

  • The Winston-Salem North office is at 2405 North Cherry Street and operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with no weekend hours.
  • You do not need an appointment, but wait times are shorter in the morning and mid-week.
  • Bring your current license, proof of residency, and any documents required for your specific transaction (renewal, replacement, or new license).
  • If you are renewing a standard driver license and meet the online renewal requirements, you can complete the transaction from home instead of visiting the office.
  • The office handles real ID upgrades, commercial driver license services, and license replacements in addition to standard renewals.

What Documents You Need to Bring

The documents required depend on whether you are renewing, replacing, or obtaining a new license. For any transaction, bring your current driver license or state ID card if you have one. If your license is expired, bring it anyway — the office will accept it as proof of identity.

You must also bring proof of North Carolina residency. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail with your name and current address will work. If you have recently moved, bring the document that shows your new address.

For a license renewal, you typically need only your current license and proof of residency. For a replacement license (if yours was lost, stolen, or damaged), bring the same documents plus a report number if you filed a police report for a stolen license. For a new license (if you have never held a North Carolina license), bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, proof of legal presence in the United States, and proof of residency.

If you are upgrading to a Real ID compliant license, bring your current license, proof of residency, and one document from the federal Real ID list — typically a passport, passport card, or certified birth certificate. The office staff can tell you whether your documents meet Real ID requirements when you arrive.

Services Available at This Location

The Winston-Salem North office is a full-service driver license office, meaning it handles most transactions you would need. You can renew a standard driver license, replace a lost or damaged license, obtain a new license if you are moving to North Carolina, and upgrade to a Real ID compliant license at this location.

The office also issues commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and handles CDL renewals and upgrades. If you need a CDL, you must pass a written knowledge test and a skills test (driving test) at this location. You cannot take the skills test at the Winston-Salem North office; that is done at a separate testing facility. The office can schedule your skills test appointment and provide information about what to bring and how to prepare.

You can also obtain a learner's permit at this location if you are a new driver. The office will administer the written knowledge test and issue the permit on the same day if you pass. Bring the same documents as you would for a new license.

The office does not handle vehicle registration, title transfers, or vehicle inspections. Those services are handled at the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles regional office or through an authorized third-party agent. The staff at the Winston-Salem North office can direct you to the correct location for vehicle-related transactions.

When to Use Online Renewal Instead

If your driver license is not expired and will not expire within the next 30 days, you may be able to renew online through the North Carolina DMV website. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes, costs less than in-person renewal, and your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

You cannot renew online if your license is already expired, if you need to change your name or address, if you are upgrading to Real ID, or if you have certain medical conditions that require an in-person review. You also cannot renew online if your license was suspended or revoked. If any of these explore to you, you must visit the Winston-Salem North office in person.

To check whether you are may be able to access for online renewal, go to the North Carolina DMV website and use their renewal may be able to access tool. You will need your driver license number and date of birth. If the tool says you are may be able to access, you can complete the renewal when ready. If it says you are not may be able to access, you will need to visit the office.

Fees and Payment Methods

Driver license renewal costs $48 for an eight-year license (the standard term in North Carolina). Replacement of a lost or damaged license costs $20. A new license for someone moving to North Carolina costs $48. A Real ID upgrade costs an additional $16 on top of the renewal or new license fee.

The Winston-Salem North office accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards. They do not accept checks or money orders. If you are paying with a card, bring the card itself — they do not accept card numbers over the phone or by mail.

Fees are subject to change, and the amounts listed here reflect current rates as of the most recent update. If you want to confirm the exact fee for your transaction before you visit, call the office at the number listed below or check the North Carolina DMV website.

Contact Information and Getting There

The Winston-Salem North Driver License Office is at 2405 North Cherry Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. You can reach the office by phone at (336) 727-2570 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). The phone line is typically busiest between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., so calling early morning or late afternoon may get you through faster.

If you are driving, the office is located on North Cherry Street between Spruce Street and Cloverdale Avenue, in the northern part of Winston-Salem. There is on-site parking. Public transportation is available via Winston-Salem Transit; check their website for bus routes that serve this location.

You can also find information about this office and other North Carolina DMV locations on the official North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles website. The website has a location finder tool where you can search by city or county and see hours, services, and directions for each office.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is bringing incomplete proof of residency. A document must show your current name and current address and be dated within the last 60 days. A utility bill is the easiest option, but if you do not have one, bring a lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement instead. Do not bring a credit card statement or insurance card — these are not accepted as proof of residency.

Another frequent error is assuming you can renew online when you cannot. If your address has changed, if you are upgrading to Real ID, or if your license is expired, you must visit the office in person. Attempting to renew online when you are not may be able to access will delay your renewal and you will still have to come to the office.

Do not assume the Winston-Salem North office handles vehicle registration or title work. Many people arrive expecting to register a vehicle and learn too late that they need to go to a different location. If you need vehicle services, call ahead to confirm where to go.

Finally, do not arrive without your current license or state ID. Even if it is expired, bring it. Without it, the office may not be able to process your transaction on the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment to visit the Winston-Salem North office?

No appointment is required. The office operates on a first-come, first-served basis. However, wait times vary by time of day and day of week. Arriving early in the morning or on a Tuesday or Wednesday typically means a shorter wait than Friday afternoon.

Can I renew my license by mail?

North Carolina does not offer mail-in renewal for driver licenses. You can renew online if you are may be able to access, or you can visit the Winston-Salem North office in person. Online renewal is faster and cheaper than in-person renewal if you meet the requirements.

What if my license is expired?

You cannot renew online if your license is expired. You must visit the Winston-Salem North office in person. Bring your expired license along with proof of residency. The office will process your renewal the same day, and your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

Can I get a Real ID at the Winston-Salem North office?

Yes. You can upgrade to a Real ID compliant license at this location. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and one document from the federal Real ID list, such as a passport, passport card, or certified birth certificate. The upgrade fee is $16 in addition to the renewal fee.

What if I need a commercial driver license?

The Winston-Salem North office issues commercial driver licenses and handles CDL renewals. You must pass a written knowledge test at the office and a skills test at a separate testing facility. Call the office at (336) 727-2570 to schedule your tests and learn what documents and fees are required.