Say goodbye to renewing your driver’s license – new U.S. government legislation proposes that the DMV double the length of driver’s licenses

Why the Change?

North Carolina’s DMV system collapsed under demand for Real ID appointments, causing DMV appointment delays of weeks. House Bill 821, championed by Legislator Jay Adams, would grant a two-year driver’s license extension, letting you drive legally with an expired license while the system recovers.

How House Bill 821 Works

Validity Extended: Licenses automatically extended for two years.

No Fines: No penalty for driving with an expired license during the extension period.

Temporary Relief: A short-term patch for overwhelmed DMV offices.

What Drivers Should Do Now

Stay updated on Bill 821’s progress and visit DMV.org for the latest news. If you need a Real ID, book your appointment today—you’ll still need it for federal travel.

DMV’s Response

The DMV plans to add one extra hour to operating hours at 92 offices and open 20 branches on Saturdays starting summer 2025 to cut wait times.

Trusted Source

AAA supports temporary extensions during system backlogs to prevent penalizing drivers for administrative delays.