NC Drivers Get 2-Year Grace Period to Renew Expired Licenses

The law applies only to licenses that expire on or after July 1, 2025, and covers in-state driving privileges only.

Deadline For Real ID Requirement For U.S. Air Travel Approaches — Source: Michael M. Santiago / Getty

North Carolina drivers with expired standard licenses now have extra time before needing to renew, thanks to a new state law.

Senate Bill 391, signed by Gov. Josh Stein, went into effect July 1 and places a moratorium on Class-C license expirations through Dec. 31, 2027. The law applies only to licenses that expire on or after July 1, 2025, and covers in-state driving privileges only.

The extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses or those that are suspended, revoked, or canceled. Expired licenses also cannot be used for identification, air travel, or out-of-state driving during the grace period.

“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,” Paul Tine, the commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles, said in a statement.

NC Drivers Get 2-Year Grace Period to Renew Expired Licenses was originally published on wbt.com