Stein: DMV wait times down by 90% since summer 2025

On Aug. 20, during a press conference, Gov. Josh Stein stated that DMV wait times have decreased almost 90% from the summer of 2025. 

“Headlines from last summer about people waiting in line for hours at the DMV, often outside in the heat, struggling to find appointments online, one year later, we have made a ton of progress,” said Stein. “I’m proud that our team in the DMV is providing excellent customer service throughout this summer’s rush. There’s always an uptick in demand at the DMV in the summertime. In office wait times are down almost 90% since last year, with the average customer waiting only 22 minutes, which compares to an average time of nearly three hours in the summer of 2025.”

Digital tools are contributing to decreased wait times, as implemented by SB 245, which Gov. Stein signed into law last year and authorizes the remote renewal of driver’s licenses. More than 337,000 customers have completed services online without a trip to the DMV. Not only can these customers complete services at home at their convenience, but they also do not clog the queue at the DMV for customers who do need to make a physical visit. 

 In 2025, on average, there were approximately 3,900 people in line each morning, with about 2,000 appointments scheduled online. 

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek said in 2025 that he saw a TV news report showing a line of people who had been waiting at the Avent Ferry DMV in Raleigh since 4am, and called it unacceptable.

The Carolina Journal reported in 2025 that the average wait time from check-in was 1 hour 15 minutes, up 15.5% since 2019; 13.8% of visits in FY 2025 were over 2.5 hours, up 78.8% since 2019; and 47.5% of transactions occur outside customers’ closest office.

More than 1,000 appointments are available across the state each day, compared with March, according to Stein. Additionally, more than 70,000 customers have uploaded documents, such as proof of insurance, from their phones rather than bringing a physical copy to the DMV. 

While scheduling appointments online is easier than previously, walk-ins are not only welcomed but encouraged; appointments are not needed for DMV business, according to Stein. To choose the best office for a visit and check live wait times, the DMV said to visit www.dmv.nc.gov. Arriving at the DMV before opening to get in line is not necessary. Stein said that once someone is checked in at the DMV and has given them their cell phone number, they can wait at the location of their choice. 

“What we also want to be clear, as we have made a lot of progress, but we know that the job is not done,” said Stein. “We’re not satisfied with the 22-minute wait time. The DMV is now opening a number of new and renovated offices around the state, hiring more examiners and modernizing its IT systems.” 

“Stein: DMV wait times down by 90% since summer 2025” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.