North Carolina lets you renew your license online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office
The fastest way to renew a North Carolina driver's license is online through the NC DMV website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $13.50 for a five-year renewal. You can also renew by mail if you prefer not to visit an office, or go in person if your license has been expired for more than three years or you need to update your photo. Which route you take depends on how much time you have, whether your address has changed, and whether your current license photo still looks like you.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 30 days before your license expires. It contains your renewal number and instructions for each method. You do not have to wait for the notice to renew—you can start the process up to one year before your expiration date.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the NC DMV website takes 10 minutes, costs $13.50 for five years, and works only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks but requires the same conditions as online renewal and includes a prepaid return envelope in your renewal notice.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license expired more than three years ago, you changed your address, or you want a new photo.
- You will need your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number for online or mail renewal.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after approval, whether you renewed online, by mail, or in person.
Renewing online through the NC DMV website
Go to ncdmv.org and click the "Renew Your License" button on the home page. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will ask you to confirm your address and whether your information has changed. If everything matches your current license, you can pay the $13.50 renewal fee by debit or credit card and finish in one session.
Online renewal works only if your license is not expired and your address has not changed. If your license expired more than three years ago or you moved, you must renew in person. The system will tell you when ready if you are not may be able to access and direct you to the in-person process.
After you submit your payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Your new license is mailed to the address on file and arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your old license until the new one arrives.
Renewing by mail with your renewal notice
Your renewal notice comes with a prepaid return envelope and a form you fill out by hand. Complete the form, sign it, include your current license, and mail everything back in the envelope provided. Do not add postage—it is already paid. The entire process takes two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your envelope.
Mail renewal has the same restrictions as online renewal: your license cannot be expired, and your address cannot have changed. If either condition applies to you, you must go to a DMV office instead. The form in your renewal notice will tell you whether you are may be able to access to use mail renewal.
If you lose your renewal notice, you can still renew by mail. Call the NC DMV at 919-715-7000 and ask them to mail you a renewal form. You will need your driver's license number and Social Security number to request one.
Renewing in person at a DMV office
Visit any DMV office in North Carolina with your current driver's license and proof of your current address. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Bring the original document or a certified copy—a photo is not enough.
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than three years ago, you changed your address since your last renewal, or you want a new photo. The office will take a new photo, process your renewal on the spot, and give you a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is mailed to you.
Wait times at DMV offices vary by location and time of day. You can check the current wait time for your nearest office on the NC DMV website before you go. Many offices are busier in the morning and on Fridays, so visiting mid-week in the afternoon often means a shorter wait.
What happens after you renew
Once the DMV approves your renewal—whether online, by mail, or in person—your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can keep using it for identification and driving.
If you do not receive your new license within two weeks, contact the NC DMV at 919-715-7000 with your confirmation number or renewal receipt. They can check the status and remail it if needed. Do not assume it is lost until at least 14 days have passed.
Renewing a license that expired more than three years ago
If your license has been expired for more than three years, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must go to a DMV office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form). The office will take a new photo and process your renewal the same day.
The fee for renewal is still $13.50 for a five-year license, the same as if your license had not expired. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days and your permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Changing your address during renewal
If you moved since your last renewal, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must go to a DMV office and bring proof of your new address. Proof can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The office will update your address in the system and mail your new license to your new address.
If you changed your address but have not yet renewed your license, you can update your address without renewing by visiting a DMV office or using the address change form on ncdmv.org. Updating your address does not extend your license expiration date—you still renew on your original schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it is already expired?
You can renew online or by mail only if your license is not expired. If it expired, you must go to a DMV office in person. The office will process your renewal the same day and give you a temporary paper license while your permanent one is mailed.
How much does it cost to renew a North Carolina driver's license?
A five-year renewal costs $13.50. If you renew in person at a DMV office, you pay the same fee. There is no extra charge for a new photo or address change.
What if I want a new photo but my license is not expired?
You can renew in person at any DMV office and request a new photo at the same time. You will pay the standard $13.50 renewal fee. The office will take your new photo and mail your new license within 7 to 10 business days.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after the DMV approves your renewal. Your old license is still valid during this time, so you can use it for identification and driving.
What if I move out of state before my new license arrives?
Your new North Carolina license will be mailed to the address you provided when you renewed. If you move before it arrives, contact the NC DMV at 919-715-7000 with your confirmation number and give them your new address. They can remail it to your new location.