Great News for NC Drivers: New Law Cuts DMV Lines and Allows More Online Renewals and What It Mean For Notaries Public

 


Big changes are here for North Carolina drivers! New laws, including Senate Bill 245, aim to significantly reduce wait times and eliminate thousands of in-person visits to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices across the state. The online renewal changes took effect in October and are already making an impact.

Here are the key provisions you should know:

1. Easier Driver's License Renewals Online (S.B. 245)

  • Standard Licenses: Residents with a standard (non-REAL ID) driver's license can now renew their license two consecutive times online. This extends the time before an in-person visit is required from 16 years to up to 24 years.

  • REAL IDs & In-Person Photos: Even if you have a REAL ID, you can now renew your license online for a second consecutive time if you had a new photo taken during the previous in-person renewal. Federal law still requires a new photo every 16 years for REAL IDs, necessitating an in-person trip at that interval.

State officials noted that this change significantly reduced visits to DMV offices in the first few weeks, calling it "like having an entire extra day available to us each and every week."

2. Streamlined Licensing for Teens (S.B. 245)

A soon-to-be-implemented provision also makes the graduated licensing process easier for teenagers under 18:

  • Fewer Visits: Teens will no longer be required to make a third trip to a DMV office to obtain their full provisional license.

  • No More 12-Hour Log: The bill also eliminates the requirement for teens to complete and present the 12-hour driving log.

⚠️ A Critical Note for Notarizations and Identification (S.B. 391)

While the DMV has provided major relief for driving privileges, it is crucial to understand the limits of another law passed earlier this year, Senate Bill 391, which provided a two-year extension on certain expired standard Class C licenses for in-state driving purposes only.

  • NC Notary Law is UNCHANGED: North Carolina Notary Publics CANNOT accept an expired ID for a notarization, even if the DMV still considers that license valid for driving in-state.

  • ID Must Be Unexpired: Under the North Carolina Notary Public Act, notaries are legally required to verify identity using satisfactory evidence, which includes a current (unexpired) government-issued photo ID like a driver's license or passport.

  • What This Means for You: If your driver's license has an expiration date that has passed, a North Carolina Notary Public will be required to turn you away for a notarial act. You must use an alternative form of valid, unexpired government photo identification, such as an unexpired U.S. Passport or Military ID.

DMV Commissioner Paul Tine has advised customers to renew their licenses to ensure they remain valid for identification purposes, including to fly, get a bank loan, fill a prescription, and have documents notarized [Source: WBT Radio]. If you know anyone that resides or is a patient at a senior living facility and other facilities that may be "homebound" please share with them they can renew their State ID through the Homebound Program offered through the DMV. 

What's Next?

The NCDOT estimates these changes could allow up to 400,000 people to conduct business online instead of making a trip to an office. Along with these operational changes, the DMV has also been authorized to hire more license examiners and open new offices in several counties to further tackle the issue of long wait times.

This is a major step forward in modernizing the DMV process and saving North Carolinians valuable time, but remember that for all non-driving official business—like notarizing a document—your ID must be unexpired.

To improve, gain more practice, and or build up confidence in notarizing documents joined one or all of our notary continuing education training for North Carolina notaries throughout the year. Get more information at, www.ncNotaryTraining.education. 

       

Legal Disclaimer: NC Notary Signing Services strives to provide precise and current information through our newsletters. However, the contents are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. We do not present ourselves as attorneys and cannot assure the information's accuracy, completeness, or reliability. It is recommended to consult a licensed attorney for legal matters. NC Notary Signing Services, its employees, or contractors will not be liable for any claims, penalties, losses, damages, or expenses arising from or related to the use of information in our newsletters. Notaries should seek guidance from their state’s notary authorities or legal advisors for legal queries. If any part of this disclaimer is found to be invalid by a competent authority, the remaining sections will continue to be effective.


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