ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) announced Friday that a temporary moratorium on driver license expirations has taken effect following the signing of Senate Bill 391 into law by Governor Josh Stein.
License Validity Extended Through 2027
Effective July 1, 2025, Class C driver licenses — standard passenger vehicle licenses — that expire on or after this date will remain valid for driving purposes within North Carolina for up to two years beyond their printed expiration date. The moratorium will remain in effect through December 31, 2027.
The legislation addresses increased demand for NCDMV services by providing temporary relief for drivers seeking license renewals. However, the extension comes with important limitations that drivers should understand.
Restrictions Apply to Extended Licenses
While the moratorium allows continued in-state driving privileges during the two-year grace period, expired licenses will not be valid for identification purposes, including air travel. The licenses may also not be recognized by other states or federal entities.
The moratorium applies exclusively to Class C licenses and does not extend to commercial driver licenses or any licenses that are suspended, revoked, or cancelled.
“Thank you to the Legislature and Governor for this temporary measure to provide flexibility for North Carolina drivers while we work to address the increased demand for our services,” said NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine. “Customers may present expired Class C licenses for in-state driving privileges only if the expiration date is July 1, 2025, or later.”
Renewal Still Recommended
Despite the moratorium, NCDMV officials strongly encourage drivers to renew their licenses to ensure full validity for identification purposes.
“We advise our customers to renew their licenses to ensure they remain valid for identification purposes, including to fly, rent a car, get a bank loan, fill a prescription and have documents notarized,” Commissioner Tine explained.
Extended Saturday Service Hours Return
To help accommodate increased demand, NCDMV will resume Saturday service hours at 20 locations beginning this weekend and continuing through August 23. Walk-in services will be available from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. with no appointment required.
Services available during Saturday hours include driver license and ID card renewals, duplicates, address changes, REAL ID issuance, and road tests for those who have completed knowledge and written portions of their driving examinations.
Online Services Available
Before visiting a physical location, NCDMV encourages customers to check if their needs can be met online. The division offers many services digitally, including license and ID renewals, duplicates, address changes, and voter registration applications.
The expanded service hours and online options are part of NCDMV’s efforts to reduce wait times and improve customer service while managing increased demand for services across the state.
