Wait times at the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles across the state as almost down 90%
He provided an update on Thursday morning on the efforts to help improve customer experience at the NCDMV.
“I am really proud of our team at DMV for providing excellent customer service throughout the summer rush,” Stein said.
Last September, Governor Stein signed Senate Bill 245 into law. This gave North Carolina drivers without a Real ID the chance to renew their driver’s license online for a second consecutive time. It only applies to driver licenses that are not REAL IDs, and not to REAL ID licenses or State ID cards.
Governor Stein said since then, more than 337,000 customers have been able to pay online and skip the trip to the DMV. More than 70,000 customers have also been able to upload documents like proof of insurance, instead of having a physical copy.
This time last year, people spent hours waiting outside the DMV in the heat. It happened after they announced all drivers license offices across the state would serve walk-in customers all day.
Governor Stein said now the average customer is only waiting 22 minutes, compared to over three hours in summer 2025. He encouraged residents to check for the live wait times here.
“I just went on yesterday afternoon as a matter of curiosity, and there was one DMV that said, “come back tomorrow,” and there was another that said 15 to 35 minute wait. Don’t go to the one that’s full up, go to the one where you can get served,” Stein said.
In addition to new technology streamlining DMV processes, the state is adding more appointments and positions.
“We have made a lot of progress, but we know that the job is not done. We are not satisfied with a 22 minute wait time,” Governor Stein said.
The NCDMV plans to open a larger driver’s license office in Fuquay-Varina by early next year.
