 All new residents who plan to drive must obtain an 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.
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.) When you apply, present your current out-of-state license or two other accepted forms of ID, as well as proof of liability insurance from an insurer licensed in North Carolina.
A Class C license, the license needed by most drivers to operate personal automobiles and small trucks, costs $4 per year. In most cases, licenses are issued for five years. The DMV offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Check out www.ncdot.org/DMV for more details.
Driver’s License Offices
One Station Road (U.S. 17), Wilmington
910-350-2005
2390 B-5 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
910-251-5747
910-251-5748
5298-3 S. Main St., Shallotte
910-754-5114
215 Atlantic Ave., Southport
910-218-6250
805 S. Walker St., Burgaw
910-259-2799
Motor Vehicle Registration
2390 B-6 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
910-763-6752
13 S. Kerr Ave., Wilmington
910-397-0277
102 S.E. 58th St., Long Beach
910-278-9036
5300-A Main St., Shallotte
910-754-4591
14689 U.S. 17, Hampstead
910-270-9010
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 lien holder) and a valid registration card from your former state. If your title is held by a lien holder, you must provide the lien holder’s name and address with the valid registration card. 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, and registration fee, $15.
You also must get a vehicle safety and emissions inspection within 10 days of receiving your N.C. license plate, which can be done at any state-authorized inspection station for $30. Inspection is required annually.
N.C. counties assess annual property taxes on motor vehicles. Your car will be registered when you receive your license plate, and you’ll receive a bill in about three months.
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. Children 8 and under who weigh less than 80 pounds must be restrained in an appropriate child-safety seat 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 the safety seat. Everyone younger than 16 must use a seat belt or child-safety seat at all times, 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 (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 30 days before an election. For more information on registering to vote, contact your county’s board of elections.
New Hanover County Board of Elections
230 Market Place Dr., Suite 180
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-798-7330
www.co.new-hanover.nc.us/BOE/
BOEmain.asp
Pender County Board of Elections
805 S. Walker St., Room 138
Burgaw, NC 28425
910-259-1220
www.pender-county.com/Departments/boe
Brunswick County Board of Elections
10 Referendum Dr. NE
Bolvia, NC 28422
910-253-2620
www.co.brunswick.nc.us
2005-2006 Property Tax Rates
Per $100 assessed valuation
New Hanover County $0.68
Wilmington $0.46
Carolina Beach $0.38
Kure Beach $0.295
Wrightsville Beach $0.143
Pender County $0.65
Burgaw $0.54
Topsail Beach $0.27
Surf City $0.35
Brunswick County $0.54
Southport $0.27
Bald Head Island $0.465
Calabash $0.10
Caswell Beach $0.21
Holden Beach $0.18
Ocean Isle Beach $0.14
Oak Island $0.33
Boiling Spring Lakes $0.25
Shallotte $0.32
Sunset Beach $0.13
Leland $0.18
Property tax rates are revised each year in conjunction with budget planning. For details on property taxes, contact your county’s tax office.
New Hanover County
910-798-7300
www.nhcgov.com/TAX/TAXmain.asp
Pender County
910-259-1221
www.pender-county.com
Brunswick County
910-253-2829
www.brunsco.net
Local Governments
New Hanover County
910-341-7184
www.nhcgov.com
Pender County
910-259-1200
www.pender-county.com
Brunswick County
910-253-2000
www.brunsco.net
Wilmington
910-341-7800
www.wilmingtonnc.gov
Carolina Beach
910-458-2999
www.carolinabeach.org
Kure Beach
910-458-8216
www.townofkurebeach.org
Surf City
910-328-4131
http://surfcity.govoffice.com
Topsail Beach
910-328-5841
www.topsailbeach.org
Southport
910-457-7900
www.cityofsouthport.com
Bald Head Island
910-457-9700
www.villagebhi.org
Caswell Beach
910-278-5471
www.caswellbeach.org
Holden Beach
910-842-6488
www.hbtownhall.com
Oak Island
910-278-501
www.oakislandnc.com
Utilities
Electricity
Progress Energy Carolinas
800-452-2777
www.progress-energy.com
Brunswick Electric
910-754-4391
www.bemc.org
City of Southport
910-457-7936
www.cityofsouthport.com
Four County Electric
910-259-2171
www.fourcty.org
Jones-Onslow Electric
910-353-1940
www.joemc.com
Telephone
BellSouth
888-757-6500
www.bellsouth.com
Atlantic Telephone
888-367-2862
www.atmc.net
Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas
800-752-7504
www.piedmontng.com
Cable
Time Warner Cable
910-763-4638
www.timewarnercable.com
Charter Communications
866-472-2200
www.charter.com
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