North Carolina Driver’s License &
Vehicle Title
Required Documents & Steps
*I would recommend making an appointment several months in
advance in order to avoid excessive wait times at the DMV.
When moving to North Carolina you must obtain a North Carolina driver license BEFORE you can register a vehicle.
Step 1, Apply for a Driver License
All new residents of North Carolina who plan to operate a motor vehicle in this state must obtain a driver license within
60 days of establishing a permanent residence. To apply, you must appear in person at one of the state’s driver license
offices and take the required tests. They must successfully complete the written, road sign recognition and vision tests
to obtain a North Carolina driver license.
North Carolina issues driver licenses from a central location and mails them to applicants for learner permits, renewal
and original driver licenses, and identification cards. After you pass the required tests and have your photo made, you
will receive a Temporary Driving Certificate, which should be used for driving purposes until your license arrives. Most
people receive their new North Carolina driver license or ID card within 20 days.
You will need to bring 4 documents total
To avoid inconveniences, make sure you have all necessary documents before visiting the Driver License Office.
In order to apply for the first time issuance of an NC Driver License or Learner Permit, you will need to gather documents
from the following categories:
1). Proof of Age & Identity
You will need 2 documents from this category which provide your full name and date of birth. Listed on the menu below
are examples of documents you can use, provided they include your full name.
1. Driver License
Valid, unexpired Driver License or State-Issued Identification Card from another state, Puerto Rico, a
U.S. territory, or a Canadian province.
 A valid, unexpired license/ID card or learner permit with a photo meets the requirements for one form
of ID.
 A driver license, learner permit or ID card with photo which has been expired less than one year may be
used as one form of identification.
 A valid, unexpired driver license, learner permit or ID card without a photo can be used as one form of
identification.
2. Birth Certificate
Certified birth certificate issued by a government agency in the US, Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory or
Canada, or U.S. Report of Consular Birth Abroad.
No photocopies allowed, unless certified by issuing agency. Note: Birth certificates issued by Puerto
Rico prior to July 1, 2010 will not be accepted. Puerto Rican birth certificates issued July 1, 2010
onward will be accepted.
3. Original Social Security Card
When making application for an original identification card, learner permit or driver license it is
required that you provide DMV with a valid Social Security card. If you are not eligible for a Social
Security card, you must provide documentation issued by the United States government indicating
legal presence.
4. School Documents
Official North Carolina school registration records signed by a school official and diplomas or GED
issued by North Carolina schools, including secondary schools, community colleges, colleges and
universities.
Driver Education Certificates, Driving Eligibility Certificates and report cards are not accepted as proof
of identification. They are acceptable for proof of residency.
5. US Military ID - Unexpired US military identification, including DD-2, DD-214, Common Access Card, and
US Military Dependents Card.
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6. Passport - Valid, unexpired passport from any nation.
 If from a nation other than the United States, the passport must include an unexpired INS stamp, such as
the I-94 or I-551.
 A passport with a valid INS or BIS stamp counts as two documents, since the passport is issued by the
country of origin and the immigration stamp is issued by the US
7. Certified Marriage Certificate
Certified marriage certificate from a Register of Deeds or appropriate government agency in the US,
Puerto Rico, US territories or Canada.
8. NC Limited Driving Privilege
Limited Driving Privilege issued by North Carolina. Cannot be expired more than one year.
9. US Government Documents
Valid, unexpired documents issued by the US government.
 An expired immigration document may be valid if accompanied by a letter from US INS extending the
expiration date (e.g. I-797).
 Primary INS document must have applicant’s photo.
10. Court Documents
Court documents from US jurisdiction, Puerto Rico, US territories or Canada.
 Divorce decree.
 Court order for change of name or gender.
 Adoption papers.
 Certified Court order for child support.
11. US Veterans Universal Access Card
2) Proof of Social Security
You will need a Social Security card or proof of Social Security Number by presenting one of the following documents:
1. Social Security Card (no metal cards)
2. 1099 Form
3. W-2 Form
4. DD-214 Form
5. Property tax Record
6. Payroll Record/Pay Stub
7. Social Security Document reflecting the Social Security Number
8. Military ID Card/Military Dependents Card
9. Medicaid/Medicare Card reflecting the Social Security Number
3) Proof of Residency
If you are a U.S. citizen and a first-time customer in North Carolina, you must show proof of your residence address in
this state. Documents you can present as proof of residency include:
1. Any document issued by the State of North Carolina or any of its political subdivisions (county, city, tax
district, etc.) or by the federal government;
2. Preprinted bank or other corporate statement;
3. Correspondence on preprinted business letterhead;
4. Apartment lease, housing contract, mortgage statement, etc.;
5. Utility bill (power bill, cable bill, water bill, etc.) or contract for utility service;
6. School records;
7. Matricula consular issued by the Mexican consulate for North Carolina;
8. Letter from homeless shelter
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4) Proof of Liability Insurance
You will need 1 document from this category.
North Carolina law requires that you provide proof of insurance when registering your vehicle. Your vehicle must
be insured by a company licensed to do business in the State of North Carolina.
Proof of liability insurance includes providing insurance documents that show your name, the effective date of
policy, the expiration date of the policy, and the date the policy was issued.
Even if you do not own or drive a currently registered vehicle you may still apply for a license, but a restriction will
be placed on your driver license. This restriction limits you to only driving "fleet vehicles." To remove this
restriction you'll have to pay the Liability Insurance Restriction Removal, Fee: $10.00.
Listed below are acceptable documents you can use:
1. DMV form DL-123
2. An original liability insurance policy binder
3. An insurance card with: your name, policy number, issue and expiration date
Step 2, Vehicle Emissions and Safety Inspection
If you’re moving to North Carolina from another state, you will be allowed to register your vehicle without an initial
inspection. When your next annual registration renewal is due, you must have the vehicle inspected up to 90 days prior
to the plate expiration date.
Step 3, Title and Register a Vehicle
Upon moving to North Carolina from another state, you must register your motor vehicle at the expiration of the time
granted by the reciprocity agreement between North Carolina and your prior state of residence (usually 30 days) or
when gainful employment is accepted, whichever occurs first. You should obtain a North Carolina driver license prior to
registering a vehicle.
■If mailing in your title work, please provide a copy of your valid North Carolina Driver License.
■If you are a new North Carolina resident moving from out-of-state, you must wait to register your vehicle until
after you receive your official NC Driver License. The Temporary Driving Certificate (TDC) cannot be used to register a
vehicle in North Carolina.
1) Proof of Identity
1. Must have a valid Driver License/ID.
2. If there are co-owners to be recorded on a title, all signatures on required documents must be notarized
and accompanied by a black and white copy of the alternate owner’s valid Driver License/ID or a Power
of Attorney must be provided to sign for the co-owners.
If you are a non-resident of the state of North Carolina, you will need to bring 1 additional document that proves
one of the following:
1. Military active duty stationed in NC;
2. College enrollment in a NC school;
3. Vehicle garaged in NC for a minimum of 6 months each year;
4. Court-ordered sale of a vehicle;
5. Vehicle is co-owned;
6. Registration for a motor home; or
7. Documented medical condition
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2) Proof of Liability Insurance Acceptable Documents
North Carolina law requires that you provide proof of insurance when registering your vehicle. Your vehicle must
be insured by a company licensed to do business in the State of North Carolina.
Proof of liability insurance includes providing insurance documents that show your name, the effective date of
policy, the expiration date of the policy, and the date the policy was issued.
Even if you do not own or drive a currently registered vehicle you may still apply for a license, but a restriction will
be placed on your driver license. This restriction limits you to only driving "fleet vehicles." To remove this
restriction you'll have to pay the Liability Insurance Restriction Removal, Fee: $10.00.
Listed below are acceptable documents you can use:
1. DMV form DL-123
2. An original liability insurance policy binder
3. An insurance card with: your name, policy number, issue and expiration date
3) Complete Appropriate Forms
If you are registering a vehicle you'll need to complete the appropriate forms and documents. Choose one of the below
categories that best describes what you're doing, then complete and fill out the corresponding documents and forms.
When completing forms and documents read and follow the complete set of directions. Driver License will be required
for all services that are processed in person.
For vehicles purchased from an individual, submit the following:
Vehicle Title
Notarization Required
Lien Release
Must be completed if any liens are shown on vehicle's title.
Title Application ( MVR-1 )
Declare all liens, Notarization Required.
Odometer Disclosure Statement ( MVR-180 )
Must be completed if the vehicle is less than 10 years old.
Damage Disclosure Statement ( MVR-181 )
Declaration of Eligible Risk ( MVR-615 )
For vehicles purchased from a dealer, submit the following:
Vehicle Title
Notarization Required
Bill of Sale
Needed to show the vehicle's purchase price.
Title Application ( MVR-1 )
Declare all liens, Notarization Required.
Odometer Disclosure Statement ( MVR-180 )
Must be completed if the vehicle is less than 10 years old.
Damage Disclosure Statement ( MVR-181 )
Declaration of Eligible Risk ( MVR-615 )
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Vehicle being titled in NC in the registered owner's name & owner has title, submit the following:
Vehicle Title
Notarization Required
Odometer Reading
Required if vehicle is less than 10 years old.
Title Application ( MVR-1 )
Declare all liens, Notarization Required.
Declaration of Eligible Risk ( MVR-615 )
For out-of-state vehicles with title held by a recorded lienholder, submit the following:
Current Out-of-State Registration Card
Odometer Reading
Required if vehicle is less than 10 years old.
Title Application ( MVR-1 )
Declare all liens, Notarization Required.
Declaration of Eligible Risk ( MVR-615 )
Fees
Payment for transactions at DMV offices are limited to cash, money order or personal checks. No other forms of
payment are accepted, including debit and credit cards.
Title & Registration Fees
Certificate of Title
$40.00
Instant Title
$75.00
Plate Fee, Private Passenger Vehicles
$28.00
Plate Fee, Private Truck Under 4,000 lbs
$28.00
Regional Transportation Authority Registration Tax for Vehicles Registered in WAKE, DURHAM, ORANGE Counties,
$5.00
& Research Triangle
Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation Tax for Vehicles Registered in RANDOLPH County
$1.00
Transfer of Plate
$15.00
Tax, Vehicles
3% Highway Use
Tax
Commercial Plates
Call 919-715-7000
IRP Plates
Call 919-861-3720
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