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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

​The N.C. Department of Transportation issues driver licenses and identification cards to applicants qualified under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which grants work permits to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.

To qualify for DACA status, an applicant must meet very specific criteria and:

  • Be current students, recent graduates (or have obtained a GED) or active military personnel or honorably discharged from the military
  • Have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions

North Carolina driver licenses and ID cards are issued based upon the same period of duration as that provided by the federal government, usually not more than two years.

Licenses carry a designation that clearly denotes the limited duration of the license. North Carolina typically issues such limited duration licenses for visiting students, agricultural workers and others.

For questions about DACA, including how to apply or renew, call 800-375-5283 or visit the website of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Preguntas Frecuentes

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  • ¿Cómo deben prepararse los solicitantes de la DACA para obtener su licencia/Tarjeta de Identificación de Carolina del Norte?
  • ¿Por cuánto tiempo estarán vigentes las licencias de conducir de los solicitantes de la DACA?
  • ¿Serán diferentes estas licencias?
  • ¿Están obligados los solicitantes a proporcionar una prueba de seguro?
  • ¿Es notificado el NCDMV si el seguro expira?
  • ¿Requiere Carolina del Norte verificación de antecedentes penales o huellas digitales como parte del proceso de emisión de la licencia de conducir?
  • ¿Deberían sentir temor los solicitantes de la DACA a responder preguntas relacionadas con su ciudadanía o alguna otra pregunta planteada por el NCDMV?

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • How should DACA applicants prepare to obtain their North Carolina driver license/ID card?
  • How long will DACA applicants’ driver licenses be valid?
  • Will the license look different?
  • Are these applicants mandated to provide proof of insurance?
  • Is NCDMV notified if the insurance expires?
  • Does North Carolina require background checks or fingerprinting as part of driver license issuance?
  • Should DACA participants be afraid to answer questions about their citizenship or other questions posed by NCDMV?

Last updated Jul. 21, 2019

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