North Carolina · Checked Sep 2026

North Carolina DMV fees

NCDMV sets license and vehicle fees. Titles, registration and plates are paid at license plate agencies, on myNCDMV or at kiosks; licenses at driver license offices. Online and card fees are extra.

Driver license and ID

Regular license (Class C)$52 for 8 years at 18 to 65; $32.50 for 5 years from 66: $6.50 a year
Replacement license or IDAlso for an address or name change: $16.75
Learner permitLevel 2 limited provisional license too: $25.50
Motorcycle endorsement: $3.05 a year
REAL ID$16.75 as a replacement more than 6 months before your card expires: No extra fee
State ID card$16.75 at 16 and under: Free from age 17
Online (myNCDMV)Per transaction, plus the card fee; kept by the vendor, not the state: $3 + 1.85%
Self-service kioskPer transaction, plus the card fee: $4.95 + 2%

Registration

Passenger car: $46.25 a year
County and regional taxesWake, Durham and Orange ($7 county + $10 regional); $2 in Randolph: $17
Electric vehiclePlug-in hybrid $107.25: $214.50 extra
Vehicle property taxYour county's rate on the car's value, paid with the registration: Varies
Late renewal$15 under 1 month late, $20 at 1 to 2 months, $25 after; plus interest: $15 to $25
Printed registration copyFrom Oct. 1, 2026; the PDF is free: $5
Personalized plate: $30 extra
Replacement plate: $25.50

Buying or selling

Title: $66.75
Highway-use taxOf the car's value. Capped at $250 for new residents who've owned it 90 days or more: 3%
Late title transferAfter 28 days: $20
Instant titleSame or next business day, at some plate agencies: $126
Duplicate titleProcessed after a 15-day wait: $25.50
Plate transferMoving your plate to another car: $25.50

Inspection

Safety inspectionFixed by law: $13.60
Safety and emissionsIn 19 counties. The most a station can charge; some charge less: Up to $30

Other

Driving recordCertified copy $18: $12.75
Insurance lapse penaltyPlus a $50 restoration fee: $50 to $150

Example yearly renewal in Wake County: $46.25 + $7 + $10 = $63.25, plus property tax on the car's value. Our arithmetic from NCDMV's fee list.
Inspection fees are paid to the station, not NCDMV. A re-inspection at the same station within 60 days is free.

Source:NCDMV: title and registration fees(opens official site)

Source:NCDMV: all fees(opens official site)

Source:NCDMV: highway-use tax(opens official site)

Source:NCDMV: 2024 fee changes (PDF)(opens official site)