Have you decided to move to the state that leads in furniture, brick and textile production in the United States? North Carolina that prides itself on being the birthplace of the first English child in America, is a state with a wide variety of industries providing employment in different sectors. Not only that, it is also home to High Point which is often referred to as the ‘Furniture Capital of the World’. You can surely find a whole lot of quality furniture pieces to decorate your house in the Tar Heel State. But apart from setting up your house, there are a lot many things that need to be done when you are relocating to a new place.

Getting your driver license updated and changing address on your vehicle registration are just a few of those important things to be done. Thankfully, it isn’t a very difficult process to get these documents in place when you are moving to, from or within North Carolina. And to make you feel even more prepared, here’s a comprehensive list of all the information you would need for getting a new driver license. Or for that matter, updating your old one and getting your address changed on your vehicle registration in North Carolina. Why wait any further, let’s dive right in!

Obtaining A Driver’s License When Moving to North Carolina From Another State

Getting a new license when you move into North Carolina from another state is mandatory. And, you have a period of 60 days after your move to get yourself a new NC driver’s license. As of now at least, there aren’t any online or over the phone alternatives available for you to get a new driver’s license in North Carolina. You will have to visit the nearest NC DMV office in-person and apply for your new license. Here’s all the information you would be needing.

1. Apply For A Change Of Address (Getting A New License)

If driving along the roads of North Carolina is on your minds, the first thing to do is to get yourself a new driver’s license from the NC DMV. And don’t forget, you have only a total of 60 days from the day of your move to get yourself a new North Carolina driver’s license.

Note: The NC DMV are very clear on their rules of issuing a driver’s license only to those of its new residents who do not have any outstanding suspensions, cancellations or revocations on their out of state driver’s license. Additionally, under no circumstance should you have previously been deemed unfit or unsafe to drive by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles or an outside court. Or else, getting a NC driver’s license would be difficult.

As mentioned before, you will have to go to a North Carolina DMV office in-person to apply for your new driver’s license. Remember to carry all the required documents given below:

  • Proof of Age and Identification (US Passport or Birth certificate would work).
  • Social security number proof.
  • Proof of legal presence in the United States, if you are a non-citizen (US Passport, Birth Certificate, Certificate of Citizenship are some of the accepted documents among others).
  • Proof of North Carolina residency (Your Current Bank Statement, Utility Bill, or Pay Stub from a new North Carolina address, etc).
  • Proof of liability insurance (Insurance binder, Vehicle insurance policy).

Your written test and road test would be waived off if you still hold a currently valid, out of state license, but you may have to pass a vision test. However, you will be required to give all these tests if your current out of state license has expired.

You will be charged a fee of $5.50 a year for getting a new non-commercial driver’s license in North Carolina. The fee varies for getting a learner’s license or permit.

Also Read: Moving To North Carolina – Relocation Guide

2. Register Your Vehicle In North Carolina

You need to keep the task of getting your vehicle registration done in North Carolina amongst the top few ones. The reason behind that is you only have 30 days after becoming a resident or when your gainful employment is accepted (whichever occurs first), to get your vehicle registered in the Old North State. You will have to head to your nearest NC DMV office in-person and get your vehicle registration done.

Note: You will need to have a valid North Carolina driver’s license before you can apply for your vehicle registration.
Once you have your license, these are the list of documents that you will have to keep ready to get the process done:

  • Completed form MVR-1 Title Application.
  • Completed MVR-180 Odometer Disclosure Statement. (For vehicles that are less than 10 years old).
  • Proof of Identification.
  • Current and valid North Carolina driver’s license.
  • Proof of current out of state registration or your vehicle title.
  • Proof of NC Vehicle Insurance.
  • Odometer reading.

Do you need proof of insurance to register a car in North Carolina?

Yes, you do. In North Carolina, you do need to provide a confirmation that your vehicle insurance has been transferred to NC’s database and only then will you be able to register your car.

Registration fee: The standard fee for getting a North Carolina title is $56, along with standard registration plate fees between $38 to $54, depending on the county that you’re living in. You can check the official website of NC DMV to get a detailed breakdown.

Can you update your North Carolina DMV change of address online?

No, if you’re moving from another state to North Carolina. However, if you’re moving within the Tar Heel State, then you can update your change in address online through the official state website.

I changed my USPS address. Will it update my driver’s license records?

No, it won’t. You have to change your address on both independently, since changing it on one does not automatically change it on another.

Can you drive with a foreign driver’s license in North Carolina?

You require a valid license issued by a government agency either from a US state or another country to drive legally in North Carolina. However, the Tar Heel State does not recognise international driver licenses.

Useful: How Much Does it Cost to Move Out of State?

Obtaining A Driver’s License When Moving Within North Carolina

The North Carolina DMV gives you a period of 60 days to update your address on your driver’s license when you’re moving within the Tar Heel State. Though it may seem like a sufficient time period as compared to some other states, it is better not to wait till the last minute and get it done at the earliest.

You have 2 ways of updating your address on your driver’s license and vehicle registration. You can either do it through NC DMV’s online service called PayIt, or you could visit a North Carolina license’s office near you. Either method is convenient to get your documents updated in no time.

Make sure you have these documents ready, as you will need them to change your address on your North Carolina driver’s license:

  • Your current and valid North Carolina driver’s license.
  • Your social security number or proof of tax ID number or US Visa number

Note: You will not be able to update your address online but will have to visit the North Carolina DMV office in-person if you meet any of the following conditions:

  • You hold a suspended license and/or outstanding debt with the NC DMV.
  • You have a US government document that indicates your legal presence.
  • You are applying for a duplicate commercial driver’s license with a P or S endorsement.
  • You want to get an NC REAL ID license

1. Online

Want to use technology for the best and also save yourself some time? You can update the address on your North Carolina driver’s license online, at your convenience. The NC DMV uses an online service called PayIt, through which you can complete multiple services including updating your change in address.

Good to know: The PayIt online service portal used by NC DMV collects a $3 fee per online transaction that it uses to deliver quality services more efficiently. The State of North Carolina or the NC DMV does not collect or benefit from the transaction fee.

To get the address on your driver’s license updated:

You will have to fill the Change of Address application form available and you have to pay the associated fee of around $14 with your credit or debit card.

Keep the following details handy when you’re doing the process online:

  • Your valid North Carolina driver’s license with an active status.
  • Your Social Security number (specifically the last four digits).
  • A photo on file with the NC DMV which is not more than five years old.

To update your registration:

Unlike the time period for updating your driver’s license, you have only 30 days to get your address changed on your vehicle registration after you move within North Carolina. You can either complete the process online or you can also do it in-person at your local NC DMV office. Keep these documents ready for updating your vehicle registration:

  • Your current North Carolina driver’s license.
  • The last five digits of your current NC vehicle title.
  • Your license plate number.

You will be charged a fee of $21.50 for getting your updated vehicle registration card.

How long does it take to get a North Carolina driver’s license in the mail?

According to the estimate mentioned on North Carolina DMV’s website, it will take around 20 days for your driver’s license to arrive via mail.

2. In-Person

You can also visit a North Carolina driver’s license office near you and fill the address change form in-person, if that’s how you like to get your things done.

See also: Best Local Moving Companies Near You

When You’re Moving Out Of North Carolina

You do need to notify the North Carolina DMV when you are moving to another state from North Carolina with your registered vehicle. You will have to mail both your North Carolina license plates as well as your state registration card to the North Carolina DMV. The address for the same is: North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, 3148 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27600-3148.

However, if your vehicle is not registered with the North Carolina DMV, then you have no obligation to notify them when you’re moving out of North Carolina to another state. As soon as you get your driver’s license from your new state of residence, the NC DMV will automatically cancel your North Carolina driver’s license.

Conclusion

Of course, you cannot drive if you do not have a valid driver’s license, but apart from that, your driver’s license can come handy as an important source of document for many other purposes as well. So, it is definitely advisable to keep all your documents updated and organized to avoid any unwanted tensions in life. Plus, getting your driver’s license and vehicle registered with an updated address isn’t a very complicated process here in North Carolina. So don’t wait any further and use NC DMV’s convenient methods and easy to follow procedures, to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration without much stress.

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