License renewal and changes — North Carolina Permit Test

A driver license may be renewed any time within 180 days before it expires.

Renewing early costs nothing and an expired license costs a lot. Six months is the window the DMV gives you.

A driver license may be renewed anytime within 180 days prior to expiration.

A license issued to a driver aged 18 to 65 lasts eight years; one issued at 66 or older lasts five years.

A license is checked less often in the middle of life and more often later, when eyesight and health change faster.

Age at Time of Issuance Duration 18–65 8 years 66 and older 5 years

If your address changes from the one on your license, you must notify the Division within 60 days and obtain a duplicate license.

The DMV mails notices to the address on file. A letter about your license that goes to an old address is a letter you never see.

If your address changes from the address on your driver license, you must notify the division of the change within 60 days and obtain a duplicate license.

A person whose name changes must notify the Division within 60 days and obtain a duplicate license showing the new name.

A license is identification. A name that no longer matches your other papers makes it worth less every day.

A person whose name changes from the name stated on a driver license must notify the division of the change within 60 days after the change occurs and obtain a duplicate driver license stating the new name.

The DMV issues a vertical license or ID card to applicants under 21.

A clerk can tell an under-21 card from across a counter. The shape does the checking before anyone reads a date.

DMV issues a vertical license/ID card to applicants under the age of 21.

Customers who take the required tests at a driver license office receive a temporary driving certificate valid for 60 days while the license card is mailed.

Cards are printed in one central place and mailed. The paper certificate is what makes you legal while you wait.

Customers who take required tests and have their photos made at the local driver license office will receive a temporary driving certificate valid for 60 days.

How long before expiration may a driver license be renewed?

Within 180 days. Renewing early costs nothing and an expired license costs a lot. Six months is the window the DMV gives you. North Carolina Driver Handbook, p.26: “A driver license may be renewed anytime within 180 days prior to expiration.”