If you are getting a driver’s license, learner’s permit or a state ID card for the first time in North Carolina, you will need to provide:
- Proof of your identity and your date of birth*
- Proof of your residence address and proof of either a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayers Identification Number (ITIN).
- Valid Passport, I-20, I-94, F-1 visa.
- Proof of Automobile Liability Insurance.
*If you have a valid, unexpired driver license or photo ID issued by DMV in another state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or a US Territory or by a Canadian province, that is sufficient as proof of identity and date of birth, as long as it shows your full name.
If you do not have one of those documents, you must provide two forms of identification from the following list of acceptable documents. One document must have your date of birth. The name must be same on both the documents. The documents cannot come from the same category (e.g. two school documents).
The following are the acceptable Proof of Identity Documents, effective February 2, 2004:
- Driver License or State-Issued Identification Card from another state, Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, or a Canadian province.
- Certified or original birth certificate. • Original Social Security card (must not be laminated)
- Official North Carolina School Registration records signed by a school official and Diplomas issued by North Carolina schools, including secondary schools, community colleges, colleges and universities
- Unexpired U.S. Military Identification, including DD-2, DD-214, Common Access Card, and U.S. Military Dependents Card
- Valid, unexpired Passport from any nation
- Certified marriage certificate from a Register of Deeds or appropriate government agency in the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories or Canada.
- Limited Driving Privilege issued by North Carolina.
- Valid, unexpired documents issued by the U.S. Bureau of Immigration Services (BIS) formerly known as Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS)
- Court documents from U.S. jurisdiction, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories or Canada.
- U.S. Veterans Universal Access Card.
Social Security Number or ITIN Requirements
To obtain a driver license, learner’s permit, or ID card, you must have either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayers Identification Number (ITIN). If you do not have a SSN, you will be required to swear or affirm you are not eligible for an SSN. You will then be required to show proof of an Individual Taxpayer Number (ITIN) issued by the IRS.
Proof of Residency in North Carolina
All first-time customers must show proof of their residence address in North Carolina. This is in addition to showing proof of identity. You can obtain a Proof of Residency letter from the International Admissions office.
Acceptable proof of residency documents include:
- Any document issued by the State of North Carolina or any of its political subdivisions (county, city, tax district, etc.) or by the federal government
- North Carolina voter registration card
- Preprinted bank or other corporate statement
- Correspondence on preprinted business letterhead
- Apartment lease, housing contract, mortgage statement
- Utility bill (power bill, cable bill, water bill, etc.) or contract for utility service
- School records
- Matricula Consular issued by the Mexican consulate
- Letter from homeless shelter
- A sworn affidavit may be used ONLY if one of the above documents is NOT available.
Proof of Insurance
If you are getting a driver license, you will need to provide proof of liability insurance coverage from a North Carolina-licensed insurance carrier. Otherwise, your driving privilege will be restricted to fleet vehicles only (rental cars, company cars, etc.).
Proof of insurance documents include:
- Form DL-123 from your insurance agent
- Copy of the insurance policy with your name on it and the issue and expiration date
- An insurance binder
- An insurance card with your name, the policy number, and issue and expiration date.
For more information, visit the NC DMV website.
WARNING! The use of any fraudulent documents can result in your arrest and prosecution.