Vehicle Information
Drivers License
New residents are required to obtain a North Carolina driver's license within 30 days of establishing permanent residency. You should bring proof of insurance and your current driver's license to the testing location.
New residents must pass a written exam, a vision test, and a road sign recognition test. Your valid out-of-state driver's license must be surrendered at this time. An out-of-state driver's license usually exempts you from taking a road (driving) test; however, you may be required to take one at the examiner's discretion. The North Carolina Driver's Handbook, a study guide for the written test, is available from the Division of Motor Vehicles.
North Carolina law requires a DL-123 form to be filled out and signed by your auto insurance agency prior to receiving your license. Obtain this form from one of the testing locations, or your insurance provider.
The type of license an individual receives and the fee associated with it depends on the type of motor vehicle they will operate.
Information and forms available online at https://www.ncdot.gov/DMV/Pages/default.aspx. You may get your driver's license, a handbook, and/or Form DL-123 from the following locations (you may also register to vote at this time):
Carrboro: Carrboro Plaza, NC 54 West JJ, (919) 521-8600, 7AM to 5PM (M-F)
Durham: 101 South Miami Boulevard, (919) 560-6896, 8AM-5PM (M-F)
Durham: 3825 South Roxboro Street, (919) 560-3378, 8AM-5PM (M-F)
Hillsborough: 1201 US-70, (919) 732-2427, 8AM-5PM (M-F)
Vehicle Registration
New residents are required to register their vehicle(s) within 30 days of establishing residency or accepting employment in North Carolina. To transfer an out-of-state title and tag, an owner must show the title, proof of liability insurance and a North Carolina driver’s license. Regulations regarding vehicle registration vary because some requirements are based on the regulations of the previous state of residence.
For more information or to obtain a license plate, vehicle registration, and/or a North Carolina certificate of title, visit https://www.ncdot.gov/Pages/default.aspx or https://www.dmv.org/.
Carrboro: Carrboro Plaza, NC 54 West, D ............919-521-8600 8AM-5PM (M-F)
Durham: 4215 University Drive .................919-286-4908 9AM-5PM (M-F)
Durham: 5410 NC-55AB .................919-544-3662 9AM-5PM (M-F)
Vehicle Inspection
New residents are exempt from an initial vehicle inspection, but are required to have one within 90 days of the registration expiration date. Windshield stickers are no longer issued; once you pass your inspections, results are entered into the DMV database.