What You Need to Do to Reinstate a Suspended License in North Carolina
To get your North Carolina driver's license back after suspension, you must first find out why it was suspended, then complete the specific steps the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires for that reason. The process is different depending on whether your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines, a DWI conviction, points accumulation, or failure to pay child support or taxes. You cannot straightforward renew your license or wait out the suspension period — you must take action with the DMV or the agency that caused the suspension.
North Carolina suspensions fall into two categories: administrative suspensions (handled by the DMV) and court-ordered or agency-ordered suspensions (handled by the court or the relevant state agency). Your first step is always to contact the DMV to confirm the reason for suspension and what you must do to clear it.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the North Carolina DMV at 919-715-7000 or visit a local DMV office to learn the exact reason your license was suspended and what steps are required to reinstate it.
- Most suspensions require you to resolve the underlying issue — pay fines, complete a DWI program, pay child support arrears, or satisfy a court order — before the DMV will reinstate your license.
- After resolving the issue, you must request reinstatement from the DMV, which may involve paying a reinstatement fee (typically $100 to $200) and submitting proof that the suspension cause has been cleared.
- Some suspensions have a mandatory waiting period; others can be cleared when ready once the underlying issue is resolved and the DMV receives proof.
- Driving on a suspended license in North Carolina is a criminal offense that can result in arrest, additional fines, and a longer suspension period.
Finding Out Why Your License Was Suspended
The DMV will not reinstate your license until you know the reason for suspension. Call the North Carolina DMV at 919-715-7000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and provide your driver's license number. The DMV staff will tell you the suspension reason and the exact steps you must take to clear it.
You can also visit a local DMV office in person to request a printout of your driving record, which will show the suspension reason and the date it took effect. Bring your driver's license or state ID. If you do not have a current ID, bring a birth certificate, Social Security card, or passport. The record costs $5 and is available when ready.
Common suspension reasons in North Carolina include: failure to pay traffic fines or court costs; DWI conviction; accumulation of 12 or more points within three years; failure to pay child support; failure to pay taxes; failure to maintain auto insurance; and failure to appear in court. Each reason has a different reinstatement path.
Reinstatement Steps for Traffic Fine and Court Cost Suspensions
If your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the ticket. Contact the courthouse listed on your traffic ticket or call the DMV to find out which court has your case. Pay the fine in person, by phone, by mail, or online — payment methods vary by courthouse.
Once you have paid, ask the court clerk for written confirmation of payment. Take this confirmation to a local DMV office along with your driver's license or ID. The DMV will process your reinstatement on the spot, and you will receive a new license or a temporary driving permit valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. There is no reinstatement fee for this type of suspension.
If you cannot pay the full amount when ready, contact the court about a payment plan. Some courts will accept partial payments or allow you to work out a schedule. The DMV cannot reinstate your license until the court confirms the debt is paid in full or a formal payment agreement is in place.
Reinstatement Steps for DWI Suspensions
A DWI conviction in North Carolina triggers a mandatory license suspension. The length of suspension depends on whether it is your first offense and whether you caused an accident. A first-offense DWI suspension typically lasts one year; a second offense within seven years lasts two years; a third offense within seven years lasts three years.
Before the DMV will reinstate your license, you must complete a substance abuse assessment and any treatment or education program the assessment recommends. You must also pay a $100 reinstatement fee. Bring proof of program completion, your assessment results, and payment to a local DMV office.
Some first-time DWI offenders may be may be able to access for a limited driving privilege, which allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs during the suspension period. You must request this through the court that handled your DWI case, not the DMV. A lawyer can help you file this request, though it is not required.
Reinstatement Steps for Point Accumulation Suspensions
North Carolina suspends your license if you accumulate 12 or more points within a three-year period. Points are assigned based on traffic violations — speeding is 3 points, reckless driving is 4 points, a DWI is 12 points, and so on. The suspension is automatic; you do not need a court order.
To reinstate your license after a points suspension, you must wait out a mandatory suspension period (typically 30 days for a first suspension, 60 days for a second, and one year for a third within five years) and then pay a $100 reinstatement fee at a local DMV office. You do not need to complete any program or resolve any other issue — the suspension clears automatically after the waiting period ends.
However, if you receive another traffic ticket during the suspension period, the waiting period restarts. To avoid this, do not drive during the suspension. After reinstatement, your points record does not reset; points remain on your record for three years from the violation date.
Reinstatement Steps for Child Support and Tax Suspensions
If your license was suspended because you owe child support or failed to pay taxes, the suspension was ordered by the state agency responsible for collecting that debt — the Department of Health and Human Services (child support) or the Department of Revenue (taxes) — not by the DMV.
You must resolve the debt or enter into a payment agreement with the agency that suspended your license. Contact the Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-992-9996 for child support issues, or the Department of Revenue at 919-814-1000 for tax issues. Once the agency confirms the debt is paid or a payment plan is in place, they will notify the DMV to lift the suspension.
The DMV does not charge a reinstatement fee for these suspensions. Your license will be reinstated automatically once the agency removes the suspension from the DMV system, which usually takes one to three business days. You can confirm reinstatement by calling the DMV or checking your driving record online at the DMV website.
Reinstatement Fees and Timeline
Most North Carolina license reinstatements require a $100 to $200 fee, depending on the suspension reason. Traffic fine suspensions have no fee. DWI suspensions require a $100 fee. Point accumulation suspensions require a $100 fee. Child support and tax suspensions have no fee.
The timeline for reinstatement varies. If you are clearing a traffic fine suspension, reinstatement happens the same day you pay and bring proof to the DMV. If you are clearing a DWI suspension, reinstatement happens the same day you bring proof of program completion and pay the fee. If you are clearing a points suspension, you must wait out the mandatory suspension period first, then pay the fee and reinstatement is when ready.
If another agency (child support, taxes) suspended your license, reinstatement takes one to three business days after the agency notifies the DMV. Do not plan to drive until you have confirmation from the DMV that your license is active again.
What Happens If You Drive on a Suspended License
Driving on a suspended license in North Carolina is a criminal offense. A first offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $100 to $200 and possible jail time. A second offense within three years is a Class 2 misdemeanor, with higher fines and possible jail time. A third offense within three years is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
If you are stopped while driving on a suspended license, you will be arrested, your vehicle may be impounded, and your license suspension will be extended. You will also face criminal charges separate from the original suspension reason. This makes the reinstatement process much longer and more expensive.
If you need to drive during a suspension period, request a limited driving privilege from the court (for DWI suspensions) or contact the DMV about other options. Do not drive without permission from the DMV or the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a temporary driving permit while my license is suspended?
No. North Carolina does not issue temporary permits during a suspension. However, if you have a DWI suspension, you may request a limited driving privilege from the court that handled your case. For other suspension types, you must wait until reinstatement is complete.
How do I check if my license is still suspended?
Call the DMV at 919-715-7000 or visit a local DMV office and request a copy of your driving record. You can also check online at the DMV website if you have a valid North Carolina driver's license number. The record will show the current status of your license and any active suspensions.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee?
Contact the DMV office where you plan to reinstate your license and ask about fee waiver or payment plan options. Some offices may work with you if you demonstrate financial hardship, though this is not may provide. You can also contact a local legal aid organization for help.
Do I need a lawyer to reinstate my license?
No. You can reinstate your license on your own by following the steps outlined by the DMV. However, if your suspension is related to a DWI and you want to request a limited driving privilege, a lawyer can help you file the request with the court.
How long does reinstatement take after I submit everything?
If you are paying a fine or completing a DWI program, reinstatement is when ready when you visit the DMV office with proof. If another agency (child support, taxes) suspended your license, reinstatement takes one to three business days after the agency notifies the DMV. For point accumulation suspensions, you must wait out the mandatory suspension period first.