Renewing US (NC) Driving License

Just wondering if any UK residents with NC driving licenses have advice about how to renew the license?  Mine expires in June 2015 so I won't be able to renew it when we're visiting this Sept (you can only do it 150 days in advance). We're planning to move back to the States next summer (august probably) so I really don't want to let it expire and have to go through the whole driving test process again.  I doubt that I'll be visiting closer to June because I will be busy hopefully selling the house, etc. and it is very expensive flying back and forth.

I don't think I qualify to renew it by mail (online isn't an option) and I may have trouble with the residency requirement but my bank account, credit cards, etc are all still registered at my mom's address so hopefully not.  Do I have any options at all??  There is no grace period as far as I can tell.  TIA. x

I don't think I qualify to renew it by mail...

Looking at the NCDOT website, I think you probably could renew by mail because it says you must be either serving in the armed forces or "temporarily living outside North Carolina for 30 or more days".  It will depend on what their definition of "temporarily" is.

I renewed my Ohio Driving License a year early when I was home visiting. They say you're not supposed to renew that far in advance, but I looked into it and found out that if you're going to be abroad, you can renew early. The only drawback was that instead of the standard number of years until my next renewal, they knocked one off since I renewed so early.

It would be worth looking through NC's website and seeing if a similar provision exists. You could also try calling them and asking, though be wary that it's kind of unusual so every employee might not give you the correct answer on the phone.

I renewed my TX DL online, and had it mailed to someone who was able to forward it to me in the UK. TX is our "home base", and we will be returning in a few years so I count myself as temporarily overseas.

Thank you for your replies. 

According to their website the earliest you can renew it is 150 days in advance, but I will only get a chance to do it in person 9 months in advance.

Unfortunately they don't offer the option to do it online. 

As far as I can tell I would not meet the requirement for renewing by mail by "temporarily" residing outside of the state if I'm honest (I've lived in the UK for almost 4 years but we're moving back to the states next autumn - license expires in june) because then I would not meet the residency requirement.  I might try renewing it very early whilst I'm there and see what happens.  I'm not really comfortable being dishonest about being a NC resident but I also don't want the hassle of having to start fresh with driving tests!

I'm pretty sure you can still renew a license after it has expired.
On the NC DOT website, the first item in Step 1 to provide is

Your current or expired license, or proof of identity

The DMV in parents' hometown were strict about the length of time you could renew in advance.  I, unaware of such rules, showed up one day ahead of the 6 month window, because I was flying out to the UK 2 days later and didn't want to leave it to the last possible minute.  They sent me home, telling me I could return the next day. 

So I don't think NC is quite as flexible as OH in this instance.  But, depending on where you're based in NC, your mileage may vary-- so it could certainly be worth questioning anyway.  For what it's worth, my experience was in Carteret County.

You won't be 'starting fresh' with driving tests in NC, because you have held a license there and are on record with the DMV.

You aren't a resident and haven't been 'temporarily absent', as you have acknowledged. Just renew it when you return.

You aren't a resident and haven't been 'temporarily absent', as you have acknowledged. Just renew it when you return.

Clear and concise.

My Washington State license expired recently and I was able to apply for a one-year extension. I just had to print off the extension application and send it to them with a check (I brought my US checks with me thinking I'd never use them!) for a whopping $5. They emailed me the extension a few weeks later and if/when I drive in the US before getting it renewed, I just need to carry that with me.

Of course, every state is different, but maybe you can look in to getting an extension since you're out of the country.

Bumping this thread - anyone know about IL drivers' licenses? I was able to do the last renewal by mail (they send you a sticker that you put on the back of the license), but this time it has to be in person. I'm going to be back there soon and could renew if I wanted to, but I now have a UK license so not sure if I should bother with both - and also I wouldn't want to give IL a rationale for coming after me for state income tax.

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/drivers_license/drlicid.html

This should tell you what you need to know. Just glancing through indicates that you must be resident in IL to hold a valid drivers license, and it is very specific that you are required to notify them of any change of address.

You are right to think that a drivers license can be linked to continued domicile and therefore state tax liability. I wouldn't bother, particularly as you are no longer resident in IL.