Or maybe go to a third-party vendor office to renew it at the current $25.50 rate, similar to going to a private license plate agency for new vehicle plate tags?
Both those scenarios could happen under pilot programs proposed for Forsyth and Guilford counties in the state House 2025-26 budget proposal, as lawmakers look for ways to shorten lines at DMV offices around the state.
The in-home pilot program would be in Forsyth County, while the third-party renewal program would be tested in Guilford County.
Only Class C driver’s licenses — the kind most motorists have — would be eligible for the pilot program.
“I have been hearing from many citizens in Forsyth County (on driver’s license renewals) and have been looking at creative ways to solve some of the complaints,” Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, and senior House budget writer, said Tuesday.
“As a senior budget chair, I have the opportunity to suggest some options. In this case, some pilots to test different scenarios.
“I offered both these areas since they are similar in problem issues.”
Details are slim in the current legislation about how the programs would work and how third-party vendors would meet DMV data security, personnel and facilities standards.
Lambeth said both pilot programs would be funded from available N.C. Transportation Department reserves.
The DMV said it does not provide on pending legislation.
Forsyth residents would get to test out the in-home renewal pilot over a two-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
For the Forsyth residential renewal pilot program, either DMV personnel or third-party vendors would provide the services.
The legislation permits the DMV or third-party vendors to charge up to $51 for in-home renewal.
The DMV would track the number in-home renewals, then decide whether to recommend continuing, expanding or ending the program.
Meanwhile, residents of Guilford and Harnett counties would experiment with going to private vendors for license renewals, also for a two-year period starting Jan. 1, 2027.
For the in-person, third-party vendor renewal program, the DMV could select one or more vendors to provide the service.
In this instance, the private vendor would not be allowed to charge more than the DMV.
In both scenarios, the DMV would have to select third-party vendors by July 1, 2026.
The two pilot program options are not the only proposals lawmakers a mulling to ease lines at the DMV. The House could soon vote on a House bill that would give N.C. drivers extra time to get their licenses renewed.
After clearing the gatekeeper House Rules and Operations committee on May 14, House Bill 821 appears to have been paused by bill sponsors to address questions raised during that committee meeting, such as what would happen if a North Carolina driver with an expired license was stopped in another state.
If the bill passes, it would give drivers two years from the date their driver’s license expires to get it renewed with all drivers having their licenses renewed by Dec. 21, 2027. The bill affects just Class C licenses. The legislation would go into effect immediately upon becoming law.
There would be two exemptions: any driver’s license that is currently canceled, revoked or suspended; or a Real ID compliant driver’s license that has been valid for eight years or more. The bill requires a study to determine what issues are affecting the DMV, particularly the long lines.
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