Appointments with the North Carolina DMV

Many drivers would like to be able to make appointments with the DMV, but unfortunately, the North Carolina DMV provides appointments only for driver’s license exams. For the most part, wait-times are a given for the general public. However, you may be able to save time and run your errands more efficiently by planning out when to visit and how to get everything done as quickly as possible.

Drivers License Examination

The driver’s license exam is the only service for which you can make prior appointments. This can be done by contacting your local North Carolina DMV branch on the phone; they currently do not offer online appointment services. Be sure to do your research; your closest branch may not offer the driving test, and you may have to set an appointment with a further office.

Times to Avoid Going to the DMV

Evidence shows that certain days and times are much more crowded at the DMV than others. It is best to avoid visits during these periods of high congestion because a simple DMV trip can end up consuming your entire day. If possible, try to avoid:

• The lunchtime rush; try to avoid those who try to make a quick trip to the DMV on their lunch break
• Mondays and Fridays, as people will want to take care of their errands right before or after a weekend
• Going right before or after a major holiday

It’s highly recommended to visit a DMV location during:

• Early morning, preferably right as they open
• In the middle of the week, between Tuesday and Thursday
• Toward the middle of the month, and far from any major holiday.

Taking Advantage of Online Services

You can avoid going to the DMV altogether if you make use of the many online services they offer. Most of the DMV errands that may have previously required a physical visit to a branch office can now be settled from your desktop with a few clicks of a mouse. Learning to take advantage of North Carolina DMV online services can save drivers an immense amount of time and hassle. Registration renewals, vehicle taxes, duplicate cards, and driving record requests can all be done online. Keep in mind, however, that not all services and transactions can be handled via the internet, so you will still have to go in person to a branch for major things like driving tests and vehicle titling.