Need a new license, Real ID, or other DMV service? Expect a wait.
Viewer complaints about long DMV delays are at an all-time high. Whether booking an appointment or walking into one of North Carolina’s 115 offices, neither option seems to work. Some walk-ins report waiting all day, only to be turned away when the line fills up.
As for appointments, virtually none are available for many main services over the next three months. The website does not allow bookings beyond that timeframe.
On Monday, the DMV announced that by April 7, 80% of its offices will operate for 10 hours a day, with appointments starting at 7 a.m. However, when WRAL 5 On Your Side checked, all the newly added appointments were already booked.
Here are three factors driving up DMV wait times right now:
- Real ID deadline: The deadline to get a Real ID is May 7, and only about 50% of North Carolinians have theirs. Real IDs will be required for domestic air travel if you don’t have a passport. To determine if your North Carolina driver's license or ID is a Real ID, look for a gold star in the upper right-hand corner.
- In-person renewals: Many drivers who renewed their licenses online eight years ago must renew in person this year.
- Staffing shortages: Some DMV locations, like Raleigh East, have 15 workstations but only eight employees.
“I probably spent eight or nine hours trying to get my license,” said Chris Dell, a frustrated WRAL News viewer who waited in line at multiple Wake County locations before driving an hour and a half to find an available appointment. “It’s an embarrassment to the state.”
For years, 5 On Your Side has tracked long DMV lines. But frustrations boiled over recently when current DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin faced criticism from lawmakers over the delays. Last month, Goodwin announced he would step down once a replacement is found. No replacement has been named yet.
“I think everyone has recognized that there’s an issue here that needs to be fixed. I see this as a step forward,” said Rep. Allen Chesser, R-Nash County, at the time of Goodwin’s announcement.
While state lawmakers have criticized the DMV, they haven’t supported the budget increases officials say are necessary to hire more staff and build additional offices to accommodate the influx of new residents in North Carolina over the last three years.
Last fall, Goodwin requested funding to hire around 60 new employees, but the request was denied.
However, as part of his 2025-2027 budget proposal, newly elected Gov. Josh Stein recently proposed a $20 million budget to add more than 100 DMV employees over two years, including eight at Raleigh East and establishing three new offices in Cabarrus, Durham and Brunswick counties.
WRAL News reached out to every state lawmaker to gauge their support for the funding.
Democrats like Rep. Aisha Dew voiced their approval.
“This is a much-needed increase, and I hope we can get this moving,” said Dew, who represents Mecklenburg County.
Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, questioned why the Democratic governor hadn’t requested even more funds.
“I get a lot of questions in my office about appointment wait times and long lines,” Lambeth said when the budget proposal was unveiled.
Conversely, Rep. Jake Johnson, R-Polk, said, “Just throwing more money is not going to fix the problem. There must be structural changes made to the entire dynamic of the DMV.”
Many are now looking to State Auditor Dave Boliek for insight on what those structural changes should be. Boliek, who campaigned on improving the DMV, launched an audit of the agency shortly after taking office. While the state previously audited the DMV in 2018, Boliek says this review is different.
“This is a deep dive. Unlike past performance audits, we are examining every line item,” Boliek said. “We’re trying to figure out where the rubber meets the road and what the root cause is.”
Three months into the audit, Boliek said one thing is already clear: The DMV’s technology is outdated.
“I’m going to be point blank and say there’s a clear lack of leadership in terms of technology transformation,” Boliek said.
Dell shared that he saw a mother and daughter turned away because they only had a digital copy of their insurance policy, not a printed version.
“It is 2025, it’s not 1995,” Dell said.
Boliek emphasized that the DMV’s issues extend beyond Goodwin’s tenure.
“The bones of the structure have not changed in at least two decades,” Boliek said.
Boliek said he plans to ensure his audit provides actionable solutions, testing any recommendations before finalizing them.
Stein’s budget director, Kristin Walker, said the governor is waiting on the audit results before deciding how to allocate the proposed funds. Boliek told WRAL News he’s still unsure if he will recommend additional spending or suggest maximizing the DMV’s existing resources.
“Whether the root cause is a lack of money, that’s still to be determined. Or whether it’s how we’re spending the money that’s already appropriated,” Boliek said.
What NC lawmakers have to say about NCDMV issues
On March 25, WRAL 5 On Your Side asked all 170 lawmakers the following questions:
1. Do you support Governor Josh Stein’s budget proposal, which includes a multimillion dollar increase in DMV funding?
2. While the auditor has yet to put out an official recommendation, we are curious to hear if you would support implementing the state auditor’s recommended changes to the DMV, if those changes involve increased spending?
3. If you don't support increased spending, what are some of the ways you think the DMV can improve operations without additional funds?
Sen. Woodson Bradley, District 42 (D)
- Absolutely! North Carolina's population has grown over 30% over the last two decades but the NCDMV has not been able to scale proportionately due to Republican caps on staff and resources. At a time when the NCDMV's capacity needs to expand,
- Yes! I was impressed with Auditor Boliek's presentation in the General Government Appropriations committee and any solution to the DMV crisis needs bipartisan support. As a small business owner myself, I appreciate Boliek's hands on, all business demeanor. I hope we can all agree that the NCDMV needs resources to scale and that appropriations can be blended with Boliek's initiatives to streamline and modernize the DMV. I look forward to considering his conclusions in committee.
- Aside from spending, there's really refreshing bipartisan consensus around common sense solutions like Senator Hanig's
Sen. Kandie Smith, District 5 (D)
- The Division of Motor Vehicles is one of the most visible and critical branches of our state government, directly serving countless citizens every day. Governor Stein’s proposal is the first step to improve service, but we must continue to explore all options, such as hiring additional examiners and personnel or opening new locations. It's our responsibility and should be our priority as legislators and representatives to ensure that the DMV functions effectively, providing the best possible service to the people of North Carolina.
- To date, the Auditor has not made any recommended changes, so I cannot speak to my support for such recommendations. However, with the Governor’s proposed budget in hand, I can express my support for this increased funding, including the allocation for 50 new examiners. This is only the first step in what I recognize will be a long process, but it is crucial that we begin now to ensure a more streamlined DMV experience.
Rep. Pricey Harrison, District 61, (D)
- I fully support the Governor’s budget, especially on this point. While I have not experienced it myself, I understand there are members who hear from unsatisfied constituents. More funds for more positions to address delays and long waits should help.
Rep. Julie von Haefen, District 36, (D)
- Yes, I support increasing funding for the DMV and expanding the number of examiners the DMV is allowed to hire. Difficulties accessing DMV services are the single most common issue my constituents contact my office about, and the root cause is always that the NCDMV simply is not allowed to hire enough staff to meet our state's needs.
- State Auditor Boliek has said he wants to conduct a "floor-to-ceiling" audit of the NCDMV, focusing on "modernizing" the division. That audit has not been released yet, so I can’t comment on what his potential changes might involve. I do feel that we need to increase spending at the DMV to implement any changes it might need, including staffing increases and infrastructure modernization.
- North Carolina's population has experienced explosive growth over the last 20 years, with almost 3 million new residents. For any state service to be efficient, it must have adequate staffing to reflect that growth, which is why I believe expanding the DMV workforce is the minimum first step we must take to ensure North Carolinians can access the essential services they deserve. Any plan that doesn't start with expanding the workforce to meet the needs of our state's growing population will not succeed in improving the DMV's operations.
Rep. Lindsey Prather, District 114, (D)
- Yes
- I would need to see specifics before responding to this
- We’ve got to spend more money on the DMV
Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, District 15 (D)
1. North Carolinians deserve a DMV that works efficiently. I’ve received dozens of calls and emails from frustrated constituents and new Wake County residents waiting four hours in line only to be turned away at the door; working parents scheduling appointments three months out at a DMV two hours away just to get their son’s learner’s permit. They deserve better and Governor Stein’s budget takes a responsible step forward by investing in the people and systems that are critical to keeping our state moving.
2. I welcome the State Auditor’s suggestions that are based on strong evidence and research, especially if they reduce waste and improve service for everyone. Taxpayers expect accountability and efficiency.
3. The DMV should consider creating a FAST PASS where the renewal process in an office is the same as that online. We’re able to use identity proofing technology with the Internal Revenue Service. We should do the same with DMV. A FAST PASS would be able to triage the most pressing DMV customer requests, including drivers license renewal and new resident license.
Sen. Paul A. Lowe, Jr. District 32, (D)
“ I fully support Governor Josh Stein’s budget proposal, including the $13.9 million increase in DMV funding. Raising the DMV’s base appropriation to $173.8 million will provide the resources needed to create new jobs, significantly reduce wait times, and improve efficiency for North Carolinians. This investment is a vital step toward creating a more accessible and effective DMV system for residents across our state."
Rep. Phil Rubin, District 40 , (D)
- I support the Governor's budget proposal, including the increase to DMV funding. Increasing funding for the DMV is sorely needed because even while North Carolina has grown dramatically over the past decades, its funding for entry-level positions hasn't grown with it. That's left it understaffed and underpaid, which leads to staffing shortages and, as so many North Carolinians have seen, long waits. If we want to fix it, we have to fund it.
2. We'll need to see the Auditor's recommendations first, of course, but I'll be very interested to hear them.
Rep. Kelly Hastings, District 110 (R)
“We are currently monitoring all of the recommendations as well as respecting separation of powers as the legislature works to address many of the problems with which North Carolinians are dealing.”
Rep. Eric Ager, District 114 (D)
- I do support Governor Stein's budget proposal that would significantly increase DMV funding. It's clear that we do not have enough capacity in the current structure to serve our entire state and this will help to expand services. Expecting the DMV to serve a growing population without providing the funds to do so has led to real problems for the citizens of North Carolina.
- While I can't commit to specific recommendations without seeing them, I would hope that increased spending would be one of them and I would be inclined to support that.
- I support increased funding, but think that agencies should always be looking for ways to be as efficient as possible with the funds that they receive.
Robert Reives II, District 54, (D)
- Yes, Governor Stein understands that government efficiency means we actually fund our government agencies at a level sufficient enough to provide North Carolinians the services they need. Providing enough funding to ensure DMV offices have the staff and software they need to be effective is common sense and I support it.
- I would welcome any sensible solutions to help improve state agencies like the DMV.
Rep. Jake Johnson, District 113, (R)
“Thank you for reaching out. I believe that DMV is at the point where just throwing more money is not going to fix the problem. There must be structural changes made to the entire dynamic of DOT and DMV.”
Rep. Allen Buansi, District 65, (D)
“Yes, I support Governor Stein’s budget proposal that would increase funding for the DMV. Our state population has grown by about 2.8 million between 2000 and 2024. In that time span, only three new driver license offices have been opened, increasing the number from 112 in 2003 to 115 in 2024.
Ultimately, funding for these driver license offices is up to the General Assembly. The General Assembly sets the number of people who can work in these DMV offices, and the number has been capped at 568. The DMV has sked for 61 more positions because we have many more North Carolinians who need quality, efficient service and not enough DMV staff to serve them.”
Sen. Graig Meyer, District 23, (D)
1. Yes, I do support the Governor’s request.
2. I would like to see the Auditor’s recommendations. I asked him in committee if he would consider funding adequacy, and he said he would. I look forward to seeing what he says.
3. I don’t see any way to fix DMV without better funding it, and specifically with better funding employee salaries.