If you live in the state of North Carolina and your driver’s license is about to expire, I have good news. As of July 1, 2025, Senate Bill 391 went into effect after being signed by Governor Josh Stein. This is a temporary policy that allows drivers with a Class C driver’s license to drive normally for 2 years after the expiration date. This measure aims to relieve the burden and pressure on the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Although licenses will still be valid for driving, there will be aspects for which they will not be valid, such as for identification purposes.
With this measure, the DMV aims to prioritize cases such as commercial drivers, suspended licenses, or Real ID applications. In addition, to eliminate the workload and waiting times, the DMV has also launched another initiative, through which its offices are also opening on Saturdays. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), this measure only applies within the state, so outside its borders, expired driver’s licenses would not be valid. This measure will be in effect until December 31, 2027.
Grace period for Class C licenses
On July 1, 2025, Governor Josh Stein signed what was previously North Carolina Senate Bill 391. Through this law, Class C license holders are allowed to drive with an expired driver’s license for two years after the expiration date. For example, if someone’s license expires in May 2025, they will be able to continue driving normally within the state of North Carolina until October 2027. This measure aims to alleviate and reduce the pressure faced by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
Won´t be able for every procedure
Although Class C licensed drivers may continue to drive with their expired permits for two years, there are numerous procedures that will not be authorized with the expired license. For example:
- Increased extension for commercial driver licenses (CDLs).
- Increased extension for suspended, revoked, or canceled licenses.
- Expired licenses being used for identification purposes .
- Expired licenses permitted for out-of-state recognition.
Priorities for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is facing a situation of staff shortage and an increasing level of demands, which is not only preventing them from attending to all of them, but the waiting list is also growing more and more. This is why, by eliminating the renewals of Class C driver’s licenses for at least two years, they will be able to focus on other types of procedures. These priority procedures include applications for Real ID, commercial driver applications, or applications for suspended licenses. This measure is expected to reduce the workload and allow them to catch up with the waiting list.
Other DMV´s initiatives
In addition to extending the driving permit of expired licenses by 2 years, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has also launched other initiatives to reduce the workload in their offices, as well as to meet the needs of drivers. The public service hours have been changed in 20 of the state offices, and they were even open until August 23, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturdays. Within this new schedule, the following procedures can be requested:
- License and ID renewals.
- Address changes.
- REAL ID issuance.
- Road tests (after passing written tests).
Is it valid in all states?
The answer is no. As explained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the validity of this measure only extends to the territory of the state. If you plan to drive outside of North Carolina, doing so with an expired driver’s license will be subject to penalty. Additionally, these expired licenses will not serve for identification and verification processes either inside or outside the state. The date of extension of the law has been scheduled for December 31, 2027. By then, all drivers who had enjoyed the advantage of driving with an expired license will have had to renew it before the deadline.
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