North Carolina DMV Fees: What You Need to Know

_{September 4, 2025 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Government}

What are the NC DMV fees? Find out the current DMV fees in North Carolina. This guide explains costs for driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, titles, and other services to help residents plan ahead.

Table of Contents

What are the NC DMV fees?

Here's an overview of the key North Carolina DMV (NCDMV) fees—covering licenses, registrations, vehicle titles, and payment methods—based on the most recent information available as of September 4, 2025:

Driver License & Permit Fees

Many DMV fees increased effective July 1, 2024, under North Carolina's quadrennial adjustment process. Here are key updates:

Driver’s license (Class A, B, C): Rose from $5.50/year to $6.50/year ﹣ $32.50 for 5-year, $52 for 8-year licenses.
Learner’s Permit & Provisional License: Increased from $21.50 to $25.50.
Duplicate License: From $14.00 to $16.75.
Restoration Fee (non-alcohol): From $70.00 to $83.50. Restoration Fee (alcohol-related): From $140.25 to $167.25.
Commercial Driver’s License & Endorsements: CDL application: $51.50; Class A/B/C CDLs—$25.50/year; endorsements range $3.05–$5.00/year.
Special ID Card and Notarization of documents: Now $16.75.
Driving record copies: Limited or Complete Extract: $12.75; Certified Copy: $18.00.

Vehicle Title & Registration Fees

The 2024 adjustments also affected vehicle-related fees:

Title application: Now $66.75 (up from $56.00).
Duplicate or corrected titles, transfers, salvage certificates, lien renewals, etc.: $25.50 each.
One-Day Title Service: $126.00.
Registration fees vary by vehicle type:
- Private passenger vehicles (≤15 passenger): $46.25 (up from $38.75).
- Private motorcycles: $25.50 (up from $21.50).
- Electric Vehicle Annual Fee: $214.50 (previously $180.00).
- Plug-in Hybrid Fee: $107.25 (previously $90.00).
- House Trailers: $18.00 (up from $15.00).
- Low-Speed Vehicle (private use): Now $46.25.
Weight-based truck registration fees (per MVR-34):
For example, for private trucks:
- 4,000 lbs: $46.25/year;
- 5,000 lbs: $70; incrementally higher based on weight

Registration Renewals & Late Fees

Late renewals after your plate’s expiration incur up to $25 in late fees.
Requirements include passing safety and, where applicable, emissions inspections within 90 days prior. Liability insurance must be maintained continuously.

Online Services & Fees (PayIt, Kiosks, In-Person)

PayIt (online platform)

Charges $3 per transaction plus 1.85% card processing fee—neither fee goes to the state.

In-Person (at DMV offices)

1.22% card processing fee for in-person card payments.

Self-Service Kiosks (e.g., at select Harris Teeter stores)

$4.95 per transaction, plus an additional $2.35 for credit card use.

Emissions & Safety Inspection Fees

Although exact dollar amounts aren’t listed, North Carolina requires annual safety inspections for most vehicles, and emissions inspections in 19 specified counties. Extra fees may apply for aftermarket window tinting.

Summary Table

Category	Key Fees (Effective July 1, 2024)
Driver’s License (5-year)	$32.50
Learner’s/Provisional Permit	$25.50
Duplicate License	$16.75
Title Application	$66.75
Private Vehicle Registration	$46.25/year
Electric Vehicle Fee	$214.50/year
Registration Late Fee	Up to $25
PayIt Online Transaction	$3 + 1.85% fee
DMV In-Person Payment	1.22% card processing fee
Kiosk Transaction Fee	$4.95 + $2.35 for cards

Notable Updates & Context

License expiration grace period: A new law effective July 8, 2025 allows drivers to continue using certain expired licenses for up to two years (until Dec 31, 2027), provided the expiration occurred on or after July 1, 2025. However, expired licenses cannot be used for ID purposes such as at airports or car rentals. Renewal by mail (one time in lifetime, for those out-of-state > 30 days) and specific renewal fees ($52 for under 65; $32.50 for seniors 66+) are also introduced.
About fee increases: The increases stem from state law requiring fee adjustments every four years tied to CPI changes—resulting in about a 19% hike across nearly 90 DMV fees.

Recommendations

Use online services (PayIt) when possible—especially for simple renewals—to avoid in-office wait times and additional fees.
For transactions at self-service kiosks, be aware of the transaction surcharge and card fee.
If late on registration, act promptly to avoid the $25 late fee.
Familiarize yourself with the temporary grace period extension if your license expired recently.

Let me know if you'd like a breakdown of fees specific to your vehicle type (e.g., commercial drivers, trailers) or help navigating NCDMV services!

A Guide to North Carolina DMV Fees

Navigating the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) can be complicated, and understanding the fees associated with various services is a key part of the process. Whether you're a new resident, buying a new car, or just renewing your registration, this guide will help clarify the costs you can expect.

What Are the Current NC DMV Fees?

NCDMV fees are set by state law and are adjusted every four years based on the Consumer Price Index. A significant fee increase took effect on July 1, 2024, impacting about 90 different services related to licenses and registrations.

Here are some of the most common fees, but keep in mind that these are subject to change and may vary based on your specific situation:

Driver's License: A regular Class C driver's license costs $6.50 per year, so a standard 8-year license is $52.
Vehicle Registration: The annual registration fee for a private passenger vehicle is $46.25.
Vehicle Title: A new vehicle title costs $56.
Electric Vehicle Fee: An additional annual fee of $140.25 is collected for electric vehicles.
Plate Transfer: Transferring a license plate from a vehicle you no longer own to a new one costs $20.

For a comprehensive list of all fees, it's best to check the official NCDOT website, as fees can vary based on the specific service and vehicle type.

How Are NC DMV Fees Calculated?

The total amount you pay for a DMV service is often a combination of several different fees and taxes. Here’s a breakdown of the typical calculations:

Vehicle Registration: Your registration fee is often combined with other charges, including local vehicle property taxes as part of the "Tag and Tax Together" program. You may also be charged for an emissions or safety inspection.
Vehicle Purchase: When you buy a vehicle, you will pay a Highway Use Tax (HUT), which is 3% of the vehicle's value. The maximum HUT for a private sale is capped at $250.
Driver's License: Your license fee is calculated based on a per-year rate, multiplied by the number of years the license is valid.

Are There Additional Charges for DMV Services?

Yes, there are additional charges and fees that you may encounter, especially if you use online services or need to complete a transaction outside of the standard timeline. These include:

Online Transaction Fees: The NCDMV uses an online service called "PayIt." This service charges a $3 fee per transaction, plus a 1.85% credit card processing fee. The state does not collect these fees; they are collected by the vendor to cover the costs of the online service.
In-Person Card Processing Fees: If you pay with a credit or debit card at a DMV office, there is a 1.22% card processing fee.
Kiosk Fees: Using a self-service kiosk will incur a $4.95 transaction fee and a 2% card processing fee.
Late Fees: If you don't renew your vehicle registration by the expiration date, you could face a late fee of up to $25.

How to Pay NC DMV Fees Online?

Paying your DMV fees online is a convenient way to handle many transactions. The official online portal is powered by PayIt, and you can access it through the NCDOT website.

To renew your vehicle registration online, you'll need the following information from your renewal notice or registration card:

Your vehicle's license plate number.
The last five digits of your vehicle's title number.

The site accepts major credit and debit cards, but remember that the transaction and processing fees mentioned above will apply.

Are NC DMV Fees Different for New vs. Renewal Services?

For many services, the fee is the same whether you are a new applicant or renewing an existing service. For example, the annual registration fee for a passenger vehicle is the same for a brand-new registration as it is for a renewal.

However, fees for new titles and licenses are typically a one-time charge, while registration fees are due annually. In some cases, a new driver might pay a different fee for a learner's permit or provisional license compared to the fee for a regular driver's license.

Always check the official NCDMV website or your specific renewal notice to confirm the exact fees for your transaction.