From North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is encouraging customers to plan ahead for increased fees for many driver and vehicle services that will become effective with the new year. To upload the new fee schedule, the NCDMV online services website will temporarily close on New Year’s Eve. Customers should plan to complete online DMV business and payments prior to the 9 p.m. closure on Dec. 31. The website will return to service at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1 with the new fees in place.

The NCDMV online services website offers vehicle registration renewals, driver license renewals, orders for duplicate vehicle registration cards or driver licenses, requests for driving records, payments for insurance lapses, and orders for personalized and special license plates.

The new fees were drafted and passed by the N.C. General Assembly in budget appropriations legislation, House Bill 97. They reflect the first DMV fee increases in 11 years. The legislation applies to vehicle titles and registrations as well as driver license issuances and renewals on or after Jan. 1, 2016.

After that date, interest charged on late registration fees will also be calculated on the new fee amount.

For example, standard Class C driver licenses will increase by $1 for each year issued, making an 8-year license $40 and a five-year license card $25; standard ID cards will be $13. Vehicle registration will increase by $8, making the annual registration fee for a standard private passenger vehicle $36.

Other changes include the elimination of the 10-Day Trip Permit. Instead, vehicles that require temporary registration for transfers, sales, travel or inspections will be issued a 10-Day Temporary Registration Permit. Beginning Jan. 1, the temporary permit will cost $10 and must be notarized.