Your expired North Carolina license can be renewed by mail, online, or in person depending on how long it has been expired

North Carolina lets you renew an expired license through three different routes, and which one you can use depends on when it expired. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew by mail or online without visiting a DMV office. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office and bring original documents to verify your identity and residency.

The state does not charge extra fees for renewing a license that is expired, but you cannot legally drive until the new license arrives. If you need to drive before your renewal is processed, you can request a temporary driving permit at a DMV office.

Key Takeaways

  • Licenses expired fewer than five years ago can be renewed online at ncdmv.org or by mail; licenses expired more than five years ago require an in-person visit to a DMV office.
  • Online renewal takes about one to two weeks for the new license to arrive; mail renewal takes two to four weeks.
  • You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address to renew online or by mail.
  • If your license expired more than five years ago, bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, passport, or state ID, plus a document showing your current address such as a utility bill or lease.
  • You can request a temporary driving permit at any DMV office if you need to drive before your new license arrives.

Renewing online if your license expired within five years

The fastest way to renew is through the North Carolina DMV website at ncdmv.org. You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, date of birth, and a current mailing address. The site will ask you to verify your identity by answering questions based on your credit history or other records on file.

The renewal fee is $20 for a four-year license or $60 for an eight-year license. You pay by credit card or debit card during the online transaction. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provide, and it usually arrives within one to two weeks.

Online renewal is not available if your address has changed since your license was issued and the DMV cannot verify your new address through its records. If that happens, you can renew by mail instead.

Renewing by mail if your license expired within five years

To renew by mail, read the process for Renewal of Driver License form (DL 43) from ncdmv.org or pick one up at a DMV office. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with your expired license and a check or money order for the renewal fee.

Mail renewal takes two to four weeks from the time the DMV receives your process. You cannot track the status of a mail renewal online, so if you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact the DMV at 919-715-7000 to confirm they received your process.

Mail renewal is useful if you do not have a credit card or debit card, or if you prefer not to answer identity verification questions online. You will still need to provide your Social Security number and date of birth on the form.

Renewing in person if your license expired more than five years ago

If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must visit a DMV office in person. Bring your expired license, your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, and one of the following documents to prove your identity: a valid passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate, a military ID, or a state ID from another state.

You will also need to prove your current address. Bring an original document dated within the last 60 days, such as a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement. A piece of mail from a government agency also works.

The DMV will take a new photo and process your renewal on the spot. You will receive a temporary driving permit that is valid for 45 days while your permanent license is being printed and mailed. The permanent license usually arrives within two to three weeks.

Getting a temporary driving permit while you wait

If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you can request a temporary driving permit at any DMV office. The permit is valid for 45 days and allows you to drive legally while your permanent license is in the mail.

For online or mail renewals, you do not automatically receive a temporary permit — you have to go to a DMV office and ask for one. Bring your expired license and proof of your identity. There is no fee for a temporary permit.

The temporary permit is a paper document, not a card. Keep it with you whenever you drive, because it is the only proof that your renewal is in progress.

What happens if you drive with an expired license

Driving with an expired license is a traffic violation in North Carolina. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited and fined. The fine amount depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you have prior violations, but it typically ranges from $25 to $200.

An expired license citation does not automatically suspend your driving privileges, but it does go on your driving record. If you receive a citation, you can show the officer that you have applied for renewal, but that does not erase the violation. The safest option is to request a temporary permit or renew before you need to drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my North Carolina license if I am out of state?

Yes, if your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew online or by mail from anywhere. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DMV office in North Carolina, but you can also renew at a DMV office in another state if you have moved. Contact the DMV in your new state to find out what documents they require.

What if my name has changed since my license was issued?

If you are renewing online or by mail and your name has changed, you will need to provide a document showing the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing in person, bring the original or certified copy of the name change document along with your other required documents.

Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?

If you are renewing in person, yes — the DMV will take a new photo. If you are renewing online or by mail, the DMV will use your photo from your expired license unless it is more than eight years old, in which case you will be asked to visit a DMV office for a new photo.

How much does it cost to renew an expired license in North Carolina?

The renewal fee is $20 for a four-year license or $60 for an eight-year license. There are no extra fees for renewing an expired license. If you request a temporary permit, there is no additional charge.

What if the DMV lost my mail renewal process?

If you do not receive your new license within four weeks of mailing your process, call the DMV at 919-715-7000. Have your name, date of birth, and driver's license number ready. The DMV can tell you whether they received your process and resend your license if it was processed but lost in the mail.