If your North Carolina driver’s license was suspended or revoked, the exact steps you’ll have to complete will depend on your offense(s)—but they’ll likely include payment of all fines and legal fees and completion of any other court requirements.
Losing a driver’s license, even temporarily, is a huge inconvenience—so reinstating it is likely your top priority. How long it will take to reinstate your license will depend on why it was suspended or revoked in the first place, but you’ll typically have to pay a variety of fees, apply for a new license, and perhaps satisfy additional court requirements.
In North Carolina, the typical license restoration fee is $70 plus a required service fee of $50. But depending on your original offense, additional fees and requirements might apply—which can get confusing rather quickly. Fortunately, car insurance
comparison super app Jerry
created a comprehensive guide to reinstating your North Carolina driver’s license. Before we finish, we'll even fill you in on how to lower your North Carolina car insurance costs
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Why you might need a license reinstatement in North Carolina
North Carolina’s Department of Motor Vehicles reserves the right to suspend or revoke your license for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:
Refusing to submit to a blood or breath test
Accumulating excessive points on your license
If your North Carolina license is suspended, you’ll be notified in writing. Your suspension period will vary depending on the severity of your offense. Once your suspension period is over, however, your license won’t automatically be restored.
In addition to satisfying any and all court-mandated requirements and paying the applicable fees, you will be required to reapply for a new driver’s license. This may even include taking a new written and/or driving test.
How to get a license reinstatement in North Carolina
Exactly how you’ll go about reinstating your North Carolina driver’s license will depend on the nature of your suspension or revocation. Generally, you’ll have to pay a combined fee of $120, satisfy all court requirements, and reapply for a new license.
Note that you’ll be subject to higher fees if you were convicted of a DWI.
Traffic citations and court suspensions
If your license was suspended because of a severe traffic violation or was otherwise ordered to be suspended by the court, you’ll probably have to pay some fees before you can reinstate your license. In some circumstances, you may have to retake your written—or even your driving—test when applying for a new license.
If you were convicted of a DWI, you may need to complete court-ordered driving courses. You’ll also have to pay an additional fee of $140.25 when applying to restore your license.
If the courts ordered your license suspension for non-driving-related reasons, such as failure to pay child support, you’ll have to settle these payments plus court fees and fines before reinstating your license.
Point suspensions
If your license was suspended because you’ve accumulated too many points, you will be able to apply for reinstatement after your suspension period has expired. You will have to pay the standard $70 fee and a mandatory $50 service fee before applying for a new license.
Once your license is reinstated, any points you previously accrued will be canceled.
Revocations
If your driver’s license was revoked, you’ll be informed of the revocation period and can apply for reinstatement once it’s over. You’ll follow the same process—paying the $70 fee plus a $50 service fee, and then reapplying for a new license.
Key Takeaway In most cases, you’ll have to pay a $70 reinstatement fee and $50 service fee before applying for a new North Carolina license. Some offenses will require additional steps and fees.
How to get a hardship license in North Carolina
A North Carolina hardship license—also called a “paper license,” “restricted license,” or “Cinderella license”—allows you restricted driving privileges during your suspension period.
With a hardship license, you’ll only be able to drive to essential destinations, such as:
Your places of employment
Not everyone can qualify for a hardship license in North Carolina. If you received a DWI while underage, for example, you won’t be eligible.
Adults who have received a DWI may be eligible if they complete a substance abuse assessment, provide documentation of their school and work schedule, and pay the applicable fees.
When can you apply for a hardship license?
A hardship license is actually a court order signed by a judge. This means you’ll have to go in front of a judge to apply for one. And even if you qualify, there’s a chance they may not grant your request.
Once your license is suspended, contact your local courts (or ask your attorney) if you’re eligible to schedule a court date and request a hardship license.
What is an SR-22 certificate?
Many states require an SR-22 certificate
after a major driving violation to prove you carry the minimum required level of liability coverage. This is not the case in North Carolina. Instead, you may be required to file a DL-123 form to regain your driving privileges. Your car insurance provider will file this on your behalf to ensure that you carry the minimum level of car insurance before you can reinstate your driver’s license.
How to save money on car insurance in North Carolina
Your driving history is a major factor that affects your car insurance rates, which means that you might be subject to higher prices after reinstating your license. You can save money on car insurance
by comparison shopping—but this process can be even more exhausting than trying to get your license reinstated! Fortunately, the car insurance expert app Jerry
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