STATE: DMV extends office hours at 5 more locations

Published 11:33 am Thursday, August 24, 2023

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The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles continues to make changes to increase service capacity at its driver license offices across the state.

Beginning Aug. 28, five additional offices will join 40 locations already providing an extra hour of service to customers by opening at 7 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.:

  • Clayton – 1665 Old U.S. Highway 70
  • Garner – 222 Forest Hills Drive
  • Asheboro – 2754 U.S. Highway 220 Business South
  • Gastonia – 2560 W. Franklin Blvd.
  • Shelby – 1914 E. Dixon Blvd.

“This expansion is another step in a series of pro-customer changes over the past 18 months. Those changes have included adding more online services, hiring additional staff, increasing office hours, and implementing new technology,” said DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.

As in years past, NCDMV has offered Saturday morning hours this summer at 16 offices during its peak season. These Saturday services will end on Aug. 26.

NCDMV offers the following tips for an improved customer experience:

  • Renew early – Don’t wait until the last minute to renew your driver license or ID card. NCDMV sends a reminder card to the address on file six months before the expiration date. Customers can renew at any time during this six-month window.
  • Renew online – In most cases, unless they renewed online last time, customers can renew their credential online.
  • Appointments – Appointments are now only available in the mornings. They are intended for people planning several weeks in advance of needing a driver license/ID card and can be booked up to 90 days in advance at SkipTheLine.ncdot.gov. Do not wait until the last minute and expect to find an appointment.
  • Walk-in availability – If you are in immediate need of a new credential, you should plan to be a walk-in customer. Every full-time driver license office accepts only walk-in customers after noon each weekday. Part-time and express offices only service walk-in customers.
  • Be prepared – Check the DMV website to make sure you bring the required documentation for your desired service. One frequently forgotten item is a printed document proving liability insurance.
  • REAL ID – Customers have more time to get their REAL ID as the federal implementation date requiring a REAL ID to fly commercially or to visit federal, military and nuclear facilities has been moved back to May 7, 2025.