Executive Order Waives Certain DMV Fees, Requirements in Helene-Affected Counties

​Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 323 to ease requirements and fee collections for residents of western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

As a result, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend the collection of various late fees, suspend certain requirements for both residents and businesses, and extend certain licenses for mechanics and businesses.

Fees Waived

DMV fees have been waived for the following items in the affected counties (listed below) from Sept. 27 through Dec. 31:

• duplicate or corrected vehicle titles
• duplicate registration cards
• salvage certificate of title
• replacement license plates and/or stickers
• duplicate driver licenses (including CDLs)
• duplicate State ID cards (note: State ID cards are already free for ages 17 and over)

The following late fees are also being waived from Sept. 26 through Dec. 31 in the affected counties (listed below) for:

• late vehicle registrations fees for vehicles that expired on or after Aug. 31
• late interest payments on vehicle registrations and property taxes that expired on or after Aug. 31
• title fees on or after Aug. 31
• late fees and interest on limited registration plates and vehicle registration renewals for limited registrations that expired on or after Sept. 30
• late fees for dealer plates that expired on or after Aug. 31

Refunds

Fees (and late fees) that were paid and that have now been waived as outlined above by the executive order will be refunded. Customers will not have to take any action to receive refunds. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks (until Dec. 6) for refunds to be processed. Refunds will not be given in-person at offices.

The division and its IT partners are currently working with programmers to allow for customers in the designated counties to:

• order duplicate driver licenses and ID cards online without being charged, and
• pay vehicle registration renewals and property tax payments online without having to pay late fees and interest.

Please allow 3 weeks (until Nov. 22) for this service to be available online.

In the meantime, customers in the affected counties can go in-person to an office to request the items above and they will not have to pay for them. But again, refunds will not be given in-person at offices.

Suspension of Duplicate Title Waiting Period, Inspections

The duplicate title waiting period, which is usually 15 days, has been suspended through Dec. 31 in the affected counties.

Safety and emissions inspections for vehicles registered in the affected counties have been suspended through Dec. 31.

Mechanic and Dealer License Extensions

The licenses for safety and emissions mechanics have been extended through Dec. 31 in the affected counties.

Motor vehicle dealer and sales representative licenses, and dealer license plates, have also been extended through the Dec. 31 in the affected counties.

Dealer education requirements for dealer license renewals have also been suspended through Dec. 31 in the affected counties.

Affected Counties

The following 39 counties (map​), along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, have been designated to receive the relief outlined above:

​Get the latest information on DMV's response to Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina at ncdot.gov/DMVHelene.​