Welcome to Raleigh

Raleigh The City

New residents who plan to drive must obtain a N.C. driver’s license within 60 days of establishing a permanent residence here. Most newcomers, unless they drive commercial vehicles, will want a Class C license, which permits operation of personal cars and small trucks. If you drive a motorcycle, you’ll also need a motorcycle endorsement. Licensed drivers who are 16 or 17 years old must present proof of completion of a state-approved driver education course in their former state; otherwise, they receive a temporary license pending completion of the course here.

To get a license, apply in person at a driver’s license office and take the vision, sign recognition and written tests. (It’ll help to study the “Driver’s Handbook,” available at DMV offices.) When you apply, present your current out-of-state license or two other accepted forms of ID, as well as proof of liability insurance (for example, the original policy, original binder or Form DL-123 from your insurance agent) from an insurer licensed in North Carolina. You’ll also need to supply your Social Security number.

A class C license is $4.00 per year. The motorcycle endorsement is an additional $1.75 per year, and you must pass a road skills test on your motorcycle to receive it.

Driver’s License Offices
104V Carrboro Plaza, Carrboro
919-929-4161

1201 Hwy. 70 W., Hillsborough
919-732-2427

211 N. Academy St., Cary
919-468-0319

101 S. Miami Blvd., Durham
919-560-6896

N.C. 54 West, Durham,
919-560-3378

131 S. Fuquay Ave., Fuquay-Varina
919-552-1895

Forest Hills Shopping Center
222 Forest Hills Drive, Garner
919-662-4366

9701 Capital Blvd. Ste. 110,
Raleigh (North),
919-570-1016

3231 Avent Ferry Road,
Raleigh (West),
919-816-9128

208 Butternut Lane, Clayton
919-550-2351

3783 U.S. 301 S., Smithfield
919-934-3187

4 Wilson Ave., Wendell
919-365-9516

South Bickett Blvd., Louisburg
919-496-2590

Hwy. 421 S. and Hwy. 64 W., Siler City
919-663-2601

You must register your vehicle before the reciprocity agreement between North Carolina and your former state expires (usually 30 days). Registration is renewed annually.

To register your vehicle, apply in person at a license plate agency and present your title (unless title is held by a lienholder) and a valid registration card from your former state. If your title is held by a lienholder, you must provide the lienholder’s name and address on a state form for title release. You also must present proof of vehicle liability insurance at or above minimum standards (see driver’s license information for the list of acceptable documents).

Fees due when you receive N.C. registration include title fee, $40; registration fee, $15; and highway use tax, which is

3 percent of your vehicle’s tax value. There is a regional transportation authority fee of $5 to vehicles registered in Durham, Orange, and Wake counties. Motorcycles must also pay an additional $5.
You also must get a vehicle safety and emissions inspection within 10 days of receiving your N.C. license plate. This costs $30 and can be done at any state-authorized inspection station. Inspection is required annually.

Although the state does not levy sales tax on motor vehicles, N.C. counties assess property taxes annually. Your car will be registered when you receive your license plate, and you’ll receive a bill in about three months.

Motor Vehicle Registration
South Hills Mall
1251 Buck Jones Road, Cary
919-469-1444

University Mall
201 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill
919-929-0204

Northgate Shopping Center, Durham
919-286-4908

1920 Hwy. 54 Ste. 430, Durham
919-544-6607

1100 New Bern Ave., Raleigh
919-715-7000

3070 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh
919-872-2815

2012 S. Main St. Ste. 504,
Wake Forest
919-554-0770

131 Fuquay Ave.,
Fuquay-Varina
919-552-9043

103 N. Fourth St., Smithfield
919-934-8707

815 N. Arendell Ave., Zebulon
919-269-0117

1205 N. Second Ave. W., Siler City
919-742-2436

1801 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg
919-496-4655

Rules of the Road
Speed limits range from 55 mph to 70 mph on interstates; the limit is 35 mph inside municipal corporate limits unless otherwise posted.

Motorcyclists must wear helmets and drive with lights on at all times.

Seat belt use is mandatory for driver and front-seat passengers. Children 4 and under and weighing less than 40 pounds must use an appropriate child-restraint system at all times. They also must sit in the back seat if the vehicle has an active passenger-side air bag and a back seat that can hold a child-safety seat. All children younger than 16 must be buckled up no matter where they sit in the vehicle.

Drunken-driving rules are strict. A motorist is guilty of driving while impaired (DWI) if his blood alcohol level meets or exceeds 0.08 percent or if he is under the influence of or affected by alcohol and/or other drugs. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment and license revocation. The best rule: Don’t drink and drive.

Voter Registration
To vote here, you must be at least 18 or older, a legal resident of the county where you register and a U.S. citizen. You also must register at least 25-30 days before an election (the exact deadline varies for each election). For more information on registering to vote, call your county’s board of elections office.

Where to register:
Durham County Board of Elections,
706 W. Corporation St., Durham
919-560-0700

Orange County Board of Elections
110 E. King St., Hillsborough
919-245-2350

Johnston County Board of Elections
212 Market St., Smithfield
919-989-5095

Wake County Board of Elections
337 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh
919-856-6240

Franklin County Board of Elections
113 S. Main St., Louisburg
919-496-3898

Chatham County Board of Elections
80F East St., Pittsboro
919-542-8206

Any public library.

Many government offices, including county Department of Social Services and city and town halls.

2005-2006 Property Taxes
Per $100 assessed valuation
County
Chatham County 0.597
Durham County 0.809
Franklin County 0.79
Johnston County 0.78
Orange County 0.843
Wake County 0.604
Municipalities
Apex 0.40
Bunn 0.69
Carrboro 0.6244
Cary 0.42
Chapel Hill 0.522
Clayton 0.49
Durham 0.583
Franklinton 0.68
Fuquay-Varina 0.52
Garner 0.56
Goldston 0.12
Hillsborough 0.566
Holly Springs 0.53
Knightdale 0.50
Louisburg 0.485
Mebane 0.50
Morrisville 0.4677
Pittsboro 0.3730
Raleigh 0.395
Rolesville 0.485
Siler City 0.43
Wake Forest 0.54
Wendell 0.54
Youngsville 0.56
Zebulon 0.49

Depending on where you live, you’ll pay a combination of taxes (for instance, county and city tax); your bill also may include taxes for fire districts, school districts, revitalization districts, vehicle decal fees and the like. Property tax rates are revised each year in conjunction with budget planning. For details on property taxes, call the tax office for your county:

Wake County 919-856-5400

Durham County 919-560-0380

Orange County 919-732-8181

Johnston County 919-989-5130

Chatham County 919-542-8250

Franklin County 919-496-1197

Local Governments
Chatham County
www.co.chatham.nc.us
919-542-8200