The clock seems to be frozen in one state with 2 extra years on an expired card being offered. This rare move sees certain driver’s licenses that were soon to be expiring not expiring after all. From the beginning of July 1, 2025, Class C licenses will remain valid for in-state driving for up to two years after their expiration date. According to Senate Bill 391 signed by Governor Josh Stein, this temporary policy is in place to ease off pressure on the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Offering Class C drivers a 2 year extended grace period
According to the new moratorium in one state, all Class C licenses that were issued for standard passenger vehicles will still be considered valid for in-state driving purposes for another 2 years. This would include all Class C driver’s licenses that expire on or after July 1, 2025.
The extension means that these licenses will remain valid for in-state driving purposes, however, as per the policy, the following options are not allowed:
- Increased extension for commercial driver licenses (CDLs).
- Increased extension for suspended, revoked, or canceled licenses.
- Expired licenses being used for identification purposes .
- Expired licenses permitted for out-of-state recognition.
The state has taken this decision due to consistent service delays as more customers are paying a visit to DMV offices. While all driving priveledges still remain in the state, all expired licenses cannot be used for identification verification processes.
Understanding the neccesity of this new policy in this particular state
The Division of Motor Vehicles in this state has been battling with staff shortages and increasing customer demands at the same time. Many of the citizens have even complained that waiting time at DMV offices throughout the state has become far too long and that the process to access appointments has become rather tedious too. Rural counties in the state are finding inconsistencies in accessing appointments.
This temporary policy is in place to allow drivers and others with pressing needs to be addressed first. Commercial drivers, drivers with suspended licenses, or even REAL ID applicants will be attended to first. With the extension in place, the DMV can work more effectively and have some available time to hire more staff, improve their online systems, and offer expanded weekend services.
A further initiative enforced by the state to assist the DMV
Since the demands of the DMV in this state were still not being met, Saturday service hours had been enforced at 20 locations throughout the state. Up until August 23, walk-in services were even permitted on Saturdays between 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for all:
- License and ID renewals
- Address changes
- REAL ID issuance
- Road tests (after passing written tests)
No appointments were needed but the move refelected the department’s added effort to ensure service for citizens. Residents in the state are encouraged to use online services for address updates and renewals. The offering on the digital platform has been extended as well to ensure that less citizens will need to come into offices. In states like Idaho, a driver’s license change was also seen this year.
In which state are drivers expected to take no action on expired Class C licenses?
According to North Carolina Department of Transportation, the expired license is valid for in-state driving, however, an expired license may severely limit a driver’s access to other services. Drivers have more time to drive using an expired Class C license that permits them to drive legally in North Carolina and to say goodbye to license renewals for another two years. The expired license, however, may not be accepted in other states so drivers with expired licenses cannot drive across state lines. If a driver’s license is required for ID purposes, to board a fligt, or to travel across states, the license should be renewed as early as possible.
This is a temporary legal extension due to end on December 31, 2027, but all drivers in the state must aim to renew their licenses before then.
