After I move to Charlotte from out-of-state, how long do I have to obtain my North Carolina Driver's License?
You have 30 days after establishing residency to get your North Carolina Driver's License.
Where do I go to get my license?
You need to apply in person at the nearest driver's license office.
Where are the Charlotte area driver's license offices?
- Charlotte - East, Independence Office Park
6407 Idlewild Rd., Ste. 3 Rm. 112
Charlotte, NC 28212
704-531-5563 - Charlotte - Express Office, Eastway Shopping Center
3704 Central Ave., Ste. 1
Charlotte, NC 28205 - Charlotte - North, DMV Building
8446 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28213
704-547-5786 or 704-547-5787 - Charlotte - South
201-A W. Arrowood Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28217
704-527-2562 or 704-527-2563 - Charlotte - West
6016 Brookshire Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28216
704-392-3266 or 704-392-3267
When are offices open?
It's always best to call and confirm hours, but all offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What documents do I need to bring with me to obtain a North Carolina Driver's License?
You need to bring each of the following with you:
- Proof of Residency: You will need to provide 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, an apartment lease, housing contract, or mortgage statement, a utility bill (ie. power bill, cable bill, water bill, etc.) OR Matricula Consular issued by the Mexican consulate.
- Proof of Age: You will need a total of TWO documents from this category, one of which must show your date of birth. If you recently moved, an unexpired "out-of-state" driver license with photo counts as one form of identification.
- Proof of Liability Insurance
- Proof of Social Security Number: You will need your Social Security Card, a computer generated W-2 tax form or other computer-generated document from the IRS or a state or county revenue department OR a payroll stub
Will I need to take any written or road tests?
If you already have a license from another state, you will be required to take a written road sign recognition and vision tests. A road test may be required. It's an excellent idea to study the North Carolina DMV Driver Handbook.
How much does it cost to obtain a North Carolina Driver's License?
- Learner Permit - $15.00/ 18 months
- Class A - $4.00 / yr.
- Class B - $4.00 / yr.
- Class C (the most common type of license) - $4.00 / yr.

