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The Triad
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| Driver’s License All new residents who plan to drive must obtain a North Carolina 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. North Carolina driver’s licenses are good for five years. 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 or check the Web site below. When you apply, present your current out-of-state license or two other accepted forms of identification, as well as proof of liability insurance from an insurer licensed in North Carolina. You’ll also need to supply your Social Security number. For more information on North Carolina driver’s license and motor vehicle registration rules, call DMV at 919.715.7000. You can access recorded information 24 hours a day using a touch-tone telephone and following the prompts. Or check the DMV website at www.ncdot.org/DMV. Driver’s License Offices 2527 E. Market St., Greensboro 336.334.5745 2391 Coliseum Blvd., Greensboro 336.334.5438 650 Francis St., High Point 336.884.1003 3637 N. Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem 336.761.2259 2001 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem 336.761.2258 910E S. Main St., Kernersville 336.993.5651 111 E. Crescent Square, Graham 336.570.6811 2754 U.S. Hwy 220, Asheboro 336.629.1949 2314 S. Main St., Lexington 336.248.5179 1033 Randolph St., Thomasville 336.472.7334 308 E. Stadium Drive, Eden 336.623.6528 1230 School St., Wilkesboro 336.838.4725 Motor Vehicle Registration 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 the 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 must also present proof of vehicle liability insurance at or above minimum standards (see driver’s license information for the list of acceptable documents). Payments due when you receive North Carolina registration include the $35 title fee and the $20 registration fee. You must also get a vehicle safety inspection within 10 days of receiving your North Carolina license plate. The safety inspection is $9.25. Most counties in the Triad also require an emissions inspection. The total cost of safety and emissions inspections is $30. Both can be done at any state-authorized inspection station and must be done every year. Although the state does not levy sales tax on motor vehicles, North Carolina 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 for 3 percent of your car’s value. Vehicle Registration Offices 2248 Golden Gate Shopping Center, Greensboro 336.379.7980 5551 Guilford Shoppes Station, Greensboro 336.856.1510 1175 E. Lexington Ave., High Point 336.882.8327 1127 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem 336.725.2795 667 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem 336.725.7060 1325 E. Hwy. 66 South, Kernersville 336.993.5226 85 Plaza Shopping Center, 2668 Ramada Road, Burlington 336.228.7152 338 S. Fayetteville St., Asheboro 336.629.9623 804B S. Main St., Lexington 336.248.2202 1033 Randolph St., Thomasville 336.476.4927 307 W. Meadow Road, Eden 336.623.3103 112 W. Murphy St., Madison 336.548.6055 85 Boone Trail, North Wilkesboro 336.903.1283 Rules of the Road Speed limits range from 55 mph to 70 mph on interstates and from 55 mph to 65 mph on open highways; 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. Approved child-restraint seats are required for children 4 years and younger; all children 16 and younger must be buckled up no matter where they sit in the vehicle. Right turn on red is permitted after a complete stop unless otherwise posted. Drunken-driving rules are strict. A motorist is guilty of driving while impaired 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 be eligible to vote in North Carolina, you must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of the county where you register and a resident of your precinct for at least 30 days prior to the election you wish to vote in. To register to vote, pick up a registration form, fill it out completely and mail it to the address on the form. Your registration card will be mailed to you. Forms are available at individual county offices. The North Carolina State Board of Elections number is 919.733.7173 and the Web site is www.sboe.state.nc.us. Alamance County Board of Elections Caswell County Board of Elections Davidson County Board of Elections Davie County Board of Elections Forsyth County Board of Elections Guilford County Board of Elections Montgomery County Board of Elections Randolph County Board of Elections Rockingham County Board of Elections Stokes County Board of Elections Surry County Board of Elections Wilkes County Board of Elections Yadkin County Board of Elections Caswell County Davidson County Davie County Forsyth County Guilford County Montgomery County Randolph County Rockingham County Stokes County Surry County Wilkes County Yadkin County |
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