You likely only need to visit a Charlotte DMV once every 16 years. Here’s why

Chyna Blackmon
·2 min read
The NC Division of Motor Vehicles is rolling out a new check-in system at its driver’s license offices that begins with people scanning a QR code when they arrive.

The next time you need to renew your driver’s license, you may be able to skip a trip to a Charlotte DMV and take care of it at home.

“In most cases, you only have to physically visit the DMV for a license or ID once every 16 years,” Wayne Goodwin, North Carolina DMV commissioner, said in a video posted on Twitter.

The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles has more than a dozen online services for drivers that can be used on any device, including State ID card renewals and driver’s licenses for teenagers, which were just added this month.

“Allowing these services to be completed online should help shorten lines and wait times at our offices by getting folks that would previously have to come to the office out of the line altogether,” Goodwin said in a media release.

The NCDMV offers these services online

  • Driver license and ID renewals

  • Duplicate license and ID cards

  • Upgrade full provisional license

  • Driving records requests

  • Drivers license office appointments

  • Interpreter requests

  • Registration renewals and property tax payments

  • Property tax payments for new vehicles

  • Duplicate registration cards

  • Personalized and specialized plates

  • Paperless reminders from NCDMV

  • Citizen insurance lapses

  • Commercial insurance lapses

  • Insurance company portal

  • Vehicle property tax estimator

  • Voter registration application

  • MyNCDMV mobile app

  • TRANS EXPRESS System Renewal

  • Administrative hearings

  • Permanent disability placard renewal

Online services are unavailable on Sundays from 4 a.m.-12 p.m. for routine maintenance.

What has to be done in person?

While many services can be handled online, some require an in-person appointment at a DMV office.

Goodwin explained that those getting a state license or ID for the first time need to get a Real ID or make a name change must visit a DMV, along with those who renewed online last time.

“Once you complete one of these transactions in person, unless something out of the ordinary happens, you won’t have to come back into a DMV office for 16 years,” he said.

NCDMV also recently announced new hours for appointment scheduling and walk-in availability for drivers, The Charlotte Observer reported.

In the future, residents can only make appointments in the mornings through 11 a.m. All services will be provided on a walk-in basis after 12 p.m. Appointments can be booked online at skiptheline.ncdot.gov.

You can also check how busy offices are on the NCDMV office locations webpage, which shows the current estimated wait times across the state.