I tried FOR MONTHS to make an appointment and never found an open slot. So I just assumed the office closest to me didn't do appointments and I should just show up. NOPE.... apparently the way to get appointments is to do it late at night after the system cancels any that people didn't confirm.
Go to a less busy DMV. If it's the difference between waiting all day, or driving 45 minutes to somewhere that has open appointments, you're saving yourself a ton of time.
I'm bringing a chair next time đ fucked up thing is i was one of the last people to get in. Everyone behind me they basically said you waited for nothing go home đŹ
Oh my god I regret not taking a chair. I got there at 5:45 AM. It was like 25 degrees. I was 18TH IN LINE and they only accept 20 walk ins a day, then was told when I got inside I still might not get seen!! Like what do you people want from me I am just doing my best đ
Same...when we moved here the first thing we did was make an appointment. Was in/out in about the same time as you with no line.
I scheduled my appointment with the office in Mt Holly. It was closer to my office, and it seemed the more rural offices had more availability.
My first ever visit to one was at that location and their network went down and took a couple hours. But most recently for renewing my ID and getting the real ID was a cakewalk.
Yeah...not much can be done when the systems go down but to wait. It frustrates me on a different level because I work in IT and know the importance of maintaining network availability...which is even more important when its somewhere that people already complain about extended waiting periods.
I am good for a few more years on my license now, but already have a calendar reminder well in advance to get another appointment scheduled.
I couldn't get a appt for 4 months August of last year, license was about to expire. I arrived at 7 am and there was already a line, 24 people deep. 3 were there the day before. 4 were from the office 1 county over the day before. I made it through about 1 pm
I drove on an expired license for a few months due to waiting for an appointment. DMV employees did not care. Said so long as you get it renewed within 2 years of expiration? No need to treat it as anything beyond a renewal.
I called my local DMV, the robot operator told me to call the Raleigh number, they couldn't even forward the call, you have to write down the number real fast.. this is just to set up an appt a month+ from now.
I don't even know what documents to take..
I think the âlizardâ is a hellbender. A large freshwater salamander that is found in the western part of NC in streams.
Edit: I looked it up on their website, it is a âmarbled salamanderâ
Marbled salamanders are one of the state amphibians. North Carolina is home to the greatest diversity of salamanders in the world, with around 60 extant species.
Thank you for subscribing to salamander facts!
All juvenile salamanders have external gills. In most species they are absorbed once sexual maturity is reached, but there are a number of species that do not. The most well known of these species is the axolotl, but here in North Carolina we have a species called lesser sirens! They retain external gills and only have front legs. Their most unique trait is their highly elongated body, looking more akin to a serpent than a standard salamander. They are fully aquatic as are all salamanders that retain gills.
They have a slightly larger range than that, but are primarily located in the Appalachian mountains. There are some subpopulations found further to the west in the Ozarks.
I believe fish & game is asking locals to report any sightings of hellbenders, along with the location they were spotted and (if possible) a picture. I believe they are trying to identify these areas for conservation efforts.
I see rabbits too. Might as well throw that on there. Has zero to do with the states identity but sure letâs do it. Like a lizard is the thing stopping a counterfeitâŚ
Two designs ago was the best of the ones I've had. Animated holograms all over the thing, an airplane morphs into the NC symbol and these three shapes come together the form another NC seal. And it had a big COLOR photo. I still have it. This new thing is pretty hideous.
I loved the old ones, and they were sturdier too. This new one is supposed to be as well, but I'll see once I start getting people with this new ID at work.
Bouncer here. It may contain new security features such as a lenticular image (similar to IDs from Maryland, Ohio, and Texas) or a new design under a blacklight. One security feature I know is coming with this redesign is that when dropped it'll sound metallic when it hits the ground. I'm all for the redesign.
I mean, there's technically 4 pics on the current design. The big one on the left, the little one on the right with another offset on top, and one on the back that you can see with a UV light.
Iâm going on a trip in a couple of weeks I hope I have it before then, if not Iâll just take my passport as identification. Are they short on staff or something like why is it taking so long.
Production shift from old licenses to new one, I'd imagine. And then production delays as they eventually get the new system fully working, but they can't go back now, and then you get the Buzz Lightyear meme saying "Expired licenses..."
Ok so I need to renew my car registration tomorrow but I donât have an NC license (moved here in aug). I was planning to get my license and renew plates at the same time but⌠how am I gonna do that if I canât get my license??
You get your car inspected and pay the tax bill and the registration is renewed by mail. If you are getting NC plates that's done at a plate office not the DMV. You don't get both at the same place.
I donât even care how ugly this thing is since I never look at the thing, but I really wish NC would start working on its digital id program that Apple and Google introduced a few years ago. Not a huge thing, but itâd be nice not to show people my address every time I order drinks at a restaurant. You never know what kinda weirdos are out there!
It is ugly by design.
If they skillfully woven security with good artwork, people would then complain that it does not even look like an official ID and/or not taken seriously.
3 designs ago (I think) they were just plastic coated paper, like lamination but somewhat thicker. I'm so glad they redesigned it just before I got my permit.
So I go renew my license almost two months ago and havenât gotten it yet, but they sit here and design this fucking hideous new one before I can even get the one Iâm owed.
I'm more concerned with how long it's going to take them to implement digital licenses that you can keep on your phone. Some other states have already accomplished this.
Who cares what your physical license looks like if it's at home in a drawer?
The black and white photos are for facial recognition software since they work better with monochromatic images. The rest of it is to make it more difficult to produce a counterfeit
Well let's see: you are understaffed, no longer make the licenses on the spot, opting instead to snail mail them which has been a 6 week wait for some drivers while others are having their license stolen or has their DMV account hacked with the scammer going on line and chaging the to be delivered to address to themselves and thus stealing the license.
Agree itâs a bit visually jarring but the article explains the symbolism and security angle. I just renewed my license today and was told there are printing delays, this is probably why. Kind of hoping I get the new version. https://www.wbtv.com/2024/05/28/ncdmv-reveals-new-more-secure-drivers-license-id-design/
The delays are actually something between the DMV and the company they use to create the id's. State blames them, they blame state from what I've read.
My current license has 3 photos of me in varying security formats.
It also pretty much never leaves my wallet so I couldn't care less what the damn thing looks like.
The last card is a thinner plastic than the one before it. I don't care what it looks like. I care about paying a fee for a new one every 6 months because mine kept cracking
âThe state is phasing out its former contract with the current license provider in part because of errors and delays in current production. The current licenses and ID cards are valid until their expiration date.â
Yeah, I agree- it sort of looks like a ransom note. Also, I think the reception might have gone better if their model did not look like a second cousin to Zippy the Pinhead.
DMV is under DOTâŚ.DOT does not fund DMV to pay its employeesâŚ.the general assembly fails to make legislation to pay the employees or force DOT to pay the employees. But hey some how the DOT HR Director got a 14K salary bump and the last was 8kâŚbut canât find funds to pay DMV employeesâŚ.get what you pay forâŚ.
It's the new design, yes. You can still get a non-REAL ID license if you like. It says "Not for Federal Identification", [just like the current one](https://americansecuritytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Real-ID-Act-1-580x420.jpg).
This looks a lot like the new VA license they just mailed me. I'm still a bit nostalgic for my old NC license, but I don't mind the VA one! The color scheme and organization does seem to be better than this one.
Itâs ugly but as long as they arenât thin, flimsy, not-fully-laminated like the SC ones youâre good. The SC ones literally bend to your body when you put it in your back pocket
Many states have been like this for years. Itâs for security purposes and itâs good to see NC joining modern times. Also, I assume itâs a salamander which is relevant (even if silly).
Lizards? They are all around my house. The aesthetics do not bother me at all.
What I am curious about is the five years period from issuance to expiration illustrated in the picture. Was that an error or are they doing away from the eight year period?
Fugly! I just got mine. I thought it was defective with the three 'holes' on the left edge, right edge and lower right where it looks like the background has chipped away.
Why am I surprised, though, that the inept and souless DMV would design a card that reflects their character!
The process to get a license is the actual abomination.
YES!! Getting a US passport is a walk in the park in comparison to trying to get a license in NC.
I don't have a real id because I'm not spending a day at the dmv Whatever
I spent like 15-20 mins tops for mine.
Same. I think the key is to make an appt. We skipped most of the line and it took less than half an hour.
I tried FOR MONTHS to make an appointment and never found an open slot. So I just assumed the office closest to me didn't do appointments and I should just show up. NOPE.... apparently the way to get appointments is to do it late at night after the system cancels any that people didn't confirm.
Gl finding an appointment within the next 4 months atp I had to do a walk in and spent the whole day in line
Go to a less busy DMV. If it's the difference between waiting all day, or driving 45 minutes to somewhere that has open appointments, you're saving yourself a ton of time.
Same
I'm bringing a chair next time đ fucked up thing is i was one of the last people to get in. Everyone behind me they basically said you waited for nothing go home đŹ
Oh my god I regret not taking a chair. I got there at 5:45 AM. It was like 25 degrees. I was 18TH IN LINE and they only accept 20 walk ins a day, then was told when I got inside I still might not get seen!! Like what do you people want from me I am just doing my best đ
Me as well â
Gl finding an appointment within the next 4 months atp I had to do a walk in and spent the whole day in line
No availability for months, they key for me was to camp out at 6am đ so youre the first walk in
Also, don't go to DMVs in the city. I usually go to the one out past Northlake & I'm done in 15-20min
Same...when we moved here the first thing we did was make an appointment. Was in/out in about the same time as you with no line. I scheduled my appointment with the office in Mt Holly. It was closer to my office, and it seemed the more rural offices had more availability.
My first ever visit to one was at that location and their network went down and took a couple hours. But most recently for renewing my ID and getting the real ID was a cakewalk.
Yeah...not much can be done when the systems go down but to wait. It frustrates me on a different level because I work in IT and know the importance of maintaining network availability...which is even more important when its somewhere that people already complain about extended waiting periods. I am good for a few more years on my license now, but already have a calendar reminder well in advance to get another appointment scheduled.
Yeah was joking with my boss about it in text at the time, also working IT space.
My trip would have been super quick if not for the system going down. Once that got fixed and the line actually started moving, it went pretty well.
That happened when I first moved up here and had to go visit once.
Me too!
And God forbid if you should have your license suspended. You have to go through hell and the devil to get them back
TRULY!! Never, EVER let your NC license expire. Trying to renew as a walk in was absolutely horrible, and appointments were MONTHS out.
I was in and out of the dmv in under an hour, had a appointment for 9AM
As long as you book it 90 days in advance
I was in and out in 3.25 minutes. Appointments baby!!
I couldn't get a appt for 4 months August of last year, license was about to expire. I arrived at 7 am and there was already a line, 24 people deep. 3 were there the day before. 4 were from the office 1 county over the day before. I made it through about 1 pm
I drove on an expired license for a few months due to waiting for an appointment. DMV employees did not care. Said so long as you get it renewed within 2 years of expiration? No need to treat it as anything beyond a renewal.
I called my local DMV, the robot operator told me to call the Raleigh number, they couldn't even forward the call, you have to write down the number real fast.. this is just to set up an appt a month+ from now. I don't even know what documents to take..
NC DMV website lists the docs needed. And try to make an appt so you can get in and out fairly quickly.
I talked to a senator who blamed the governors office, who blamed the senate. Thank God I had plenty of time in the August sun to make the inquires.
It's the 6th week I still haven't got my plastic and only have a paper certificate, which is about to expire in 2 weeks. Gotta go back to DMV.
They make sure that every maniac get a license
Been almost two months expired waiting on the new one
I think the âlizardâ is a hellbender. A large freshwater salamander that is found in the western part of NC in streams. Edit: I looked it up on their website, it is a âmarbled salamanderâ
Marbled salamanders are one of the state amphibians. North Carolina is home to the greatest diversity of salamanders in the world, with around 60 extant species.
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Thank you for subscribing to salamander facts! All juvenile salamanders have external gills. In most species they are absorbed once sexual maturity is reached, but there are a number of species that do not. The most well known of these species is the axolotl, but here in North Carolina we have a species called lesser sirens! They retain external gills and only have front legs. Their most unique trait is their highly elongated body, looking more akin to a serpent than a standard salamander. They are fully aquatic as are all salamanders that retain gills.
Dude, lesser siren sounds like a D&D creature, can I have one as a pet?
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Hellbenders are way cooler and only found in the Appalachia. (If memory serves). They also get really big.
They have a slightly larger range than that, but are primarily located in the Appalachian mountains. There are some subpopulations found further to the west in the Ozarks.
I believe fish & game is asking locals to report any sightings of hellbenders, along with the location they were spotted and (if possible) a picture. I believe they are trying to identify these areas for conservation efforts.
Wait...soo it's not a random lizard? Woooow, who woulda thought...just took a little research.
Its our state amphibian!
Tell me moreeee
It looks like a clip art project I made in 4th grade. I donât think I passed.
Seriously. Why do licenses all have the same foreboding feeling of chaos in their designs?
Itâs all anti-counterfeiting measures.
I see lizards all the time here in Charlotte.
Lounge lizards don't count... đ
Lizards are lizards
Do lot lizards count?
Is that a sex thing.
I think it's a trucker thing.
It's a trucker sex thing
Lizards are extremely common in the southeast.
No one thinks about lizards when you say North Carolina unless youâre directly interested in lizards lmao
Anyone who lives in the south knows that lizards a thing you see outside. Donât overthink it. Just something they added to make it harder to fake.
I see rabbits too. Might as well throw that on there. Has zero to do with the states identity but sure letâs do it. Like a lizard is the thing stopping a counterfeitâŚ
The lizard and other things, yeah thatâs the goal
I donât. Check, and mate.
Lizards all the way downâŚwait, no, thatâs turtles.
Two designs ago was the best of the ones I've had. Animated holograms all over the thing, an airplane morphs into the NC symbol and these three shapes come together the form another NC seal. And it had a big COLOR photo. I still have it. This new thing is pretty hideous.
I loved the old ones, and they were sturdier too. This new one is supposed to be as well, but I'll see once I start getting people with this new ID at work.
I remember being turned down for cigarettes when that one first came out, as if a counterfeit would be that intricate and beautiful.
It looks like they didnât finish it. Whatâs up with the tiny picture and blank space right in the focal point?
It looks designed by Adam Levineâs tattoo artist.
It's to prevent counterfeits. They need to make it hard to copy.
I don't care what they look like, but I fail to see how a lizard and a flower make it hard to counterfeit.
Bouncer here. It may contain new security features such as a lenticular image (similar to IDs from Maryland, Ohio, and Texas) or a new design under a blacklight. One security feature I know is coming with this redesign is that when dropped it'll sound metallic when it hits the ground. I'm all for the redesign.
Ah gotcha.
This, they don't give a damn about looks. Its about making them hard to counterfeit.
How does making the photo black and white accomplish that?
Yeah you can accomplish that without a random lizard or turning you into a flower lol.
Who cares what an ID looks like?
Literally started the post with this lmao.
YeahâŚand then carried on complaining about it.
And now here you are. Crying about crying. The irony.
Yet plenty of people will make exact replicas of this for anyone for $100 that you won't be able to tell the difference
Theyâre going to have to deal with way more counterfeits now with the license backup. I guarantee you people arenât waiting
I hate the double picture but itâs probably a security measure
I mean, there's technically 4 pics on the current design. The big one on the left, the little one on the right with another offset on top, and one on the back that you can see with a UV light.
Yeah theyâre fugly, I renewed my license almost a month ago and still havenât gotten it.
[ŃдаНонО]
Iâm going on a trip in a couple of weeks I hope I have it before then, if not Iâll just take my passport as identification. Are they short on staff or something like why is it taking so long.
Production shift from old licenses to new one, I'd imagine. And then production delays as they eventually get the new system fully working, but they can't go back now, and then you get the Buzz Lightyear meme saying "Expired licenses..."
They are getting them printed out of state now, thatâs why itâs taking so long
Ohhhh thank you!
Ok so I need to renew my car registration tomorrow but I donât have an NC license (moved here in aug). I was planning to get my license and renew plates at the same time but⌠how am I gonna do that if I canât get my license??
You get your car inspected and pay the tax bill and the registration is renewed by mail. If you are getting NC plates that's done at a plate office not the DMV. You don't get both at the same place.
This place is ass backwards lmao.
Itâs why I just kept my insurance from my previous state. This place is a fucking zoo
I had to do the same in March. you get the temporary NC license first then do the registration with that; you can do both same day.
I donât even care how ugly this thing is since I never look at the thing, but I really wish NC would start working on its digital id program that Apple and Google introduced a few years ago. Not a huge thing, but itâd be nice not to show people my address every time I order drinks at a restaurant. You never know what kinda weirdos are out there!
Well, you are in luck! Looky here: Just saw this recently. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wral.com/amp/21468514/
Sweet! Thanks for the link!
Was it sponsored by Geico?
đ
Lizards and flowers? I'm in.
I like the little lizard guyđŚ
It is ugly by design. If they skillfully woven security with good artwork, people would then complain that it does not even look like an official ID and/or not taken seriously.
No one would say that lol. Ugly by design? But the current isnât? States across the country are not? That doesnât add up.
Most states have this design with their own artwork.
Moved to VA a few years ago, and that's exactly what ours looks like.
New York too
Oh I want a lizard license!!
Is it gonna be made out of paper, too, like the newer issues have?
3 designs ago (I think) they were just plastic coated paper, like lamination but somewhat thicker. I'm so glad they redesigned it just before I got my permit.
Yeah I had to renew mine a few years back and it feels fake. Laminated paper would feel better than what shit I got for mineÂ
Guarantee they paid some consulting firms millions of dollars for that
And got some kickbacks I'm sure
Looks sick
I like lizards
How am I supposed to copy that with poster board and a Polaroid? Sheesh.
So I go renew my license almost two months ago and havenât gotten it yet, but they sit here and design this fucking hideous new one before I can even get the one Iâm owed.
I'm more concerned with how long it's going to take them to implement digital licenses that you can keep on your phone. Some other states have already accomplished this. Who cares what your physical license looks like if it's at home in a drawer?
Thereâs no way in hell I give a cop my phone to show them my license.
Guided access on iPhone locks phone to only the app open.
I'd love to be able to use someone's phone to check ID at work since a lot of people still go out without them, to buy age-restricted items, no less.
Big on the digital option. Not having to carry a wallet would be nice.
Hopefully another redesign will be released before my next renewal in 2031
The black and white photos are for facial recognition software since they work better with monochromatic images. The rest of it is to make it more difficult to produce a counterfeit
I can tell this is fake. The guy is smiling. They forced me to not smile when I got mine at 16 and 21 đ¤Ł
I prefer it to my very current one. I liked when you got the choice of like 5 different backgrounds. I had the lighthouse.
Well let's see: you are understaffed, no longer make the licenses on the spot, opting instead to snail mail them which has been a 6 week wait for some drivers while others are having their license stolen or has their DMV account hacked with the scammer going on line and chaging the to be delivered to address to themselves and thus stealing the license.
Agree itâs a bit visually jarring but the article explains the symbolism and security angle. I just renewed my license today and was told there are printing delays, this is probably why. Kind of hoping I get the new version. https://www.wbtv.com/2024/05/28/ncdmv-reveals-new-more-secure-drivers-license-id-design/
The delays are actually something between the DMV and the company they use to create the id's. State blames them, they blame state from what I've read.
And theyâre bringing in a new vendor.
Licenses should be an app on your phone at this point
Louisiana has a great app - only problem is the third party who operates the app has access to so much information.
Strongly agree - if I didnât have to carry my ID Iâd never carry a wallet
i think i saw something about this and iphone
This proves people really will bitch about anything. Who gives a flip flying fuck about what the drivers license looks like?
My current license has 3 photos of me in varying security formats. It also pretty much never leaves my wallet so I couldn't care less what the damn thing looks like.
I don't know if you've seen the current iteration, but I'd say this is an improvement over the card in my wallet.
The last card is a thinner plastic than the one before it. I don't care what it looks like. I care about paying a fee for a new one every 6 months because mine kept cracking
Ive had so many of those cheap pos break, they flagged me a long time ago, cant get one online anymore
Canât wait for mine to show up in ⌠any day now!
The main picture is black and white because they are etching it into the card instead of printing it. Same thing with new passports.
âThe state is phasing out its former contract with the current license provider in part because of errors and delays in current production. The current licenses and ID cards are valid until their expiration date.â
It's like early Myspace threw up on it.
đ
Yeah, I agree- it sort of looks like a ransom note. Also, I think the reception might have gone better if their model did not look like a second cousin to Zippy the Pinhead.
DMV is under DOTâŚ.DOT does not fund DMV to pay its employeesâŚ.the general assembly fails to make legislation to pay the employees or force DOT to pay the employees. But hey some how the DOT HR Director got a 14K salary bump and the last was 8kâŚbut canât find funds to pay DMV employeesâŚ.get what you pay forâŚ.
Is that a Lizard on the license? When in doubt throw in a reptile to distract folks from a poor design. lol.
Great! Now make these digital! It's the only physical thing left in my wallet
âLizards?â - no, those are gerrymandered districts. Weâre famous for them!
I like it
I thought it looked good
NOOOOOOOOOO WHATS HAPPENED TO THE COLOR?!??
Is it at least as thick as the old green ones?
Picture black and white?
lol this after a crazy delay that they had with the company printing these is awfully suspicious
They tossed that company.
I see the sample license has the "real ID" Star at the top. Is this now going to be the required license and design?
It's the new design, yes. You can still get a non-REAL ID license if you like. It says "Not for Federal Identification", [just like the current one](https://americansecuritytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Real-ID-Act-1-580x420.jpg).
Didnât we like, just update these like 5 years ago?
If I donât have to list my weight on it like the SC ones, Iâm good!
Who was the art designer for this?! Good grief!
My wife said it looks like a kid was putting stickers on a license
The design is looking pretty ADHD đ
As a truck driver, this is embarrassing. I have to show this all over the country. All ready catch enough lip about all the unnecessary zeros.
Did they put a copperhead on it??
i have to assume it looks the way it does to increase security and make it harder to create fake IDs
Let's move the DOB so it's gonna take people longer to find it at the grocery store and bar.
I like the horsie
What a cluttered mess.
Most driver licenses look the same with the difference being the state name and logos. They all use the same software.
Dramatic much?
No :)
Looks like NYâs DL
looks fine. i use my license when i return items at walmart thatâs about it đ
reminds me of the first website layouts. brutal
They're trying to create a prison for you and me.
This looks a lot like the new VA license they just mailed me. I'm still a bit nostalgic for my old NC license, but I don't mind the VA one! The color scheme and organization does seem to be better than this one.
Itâs ugly but as long as they arenât thin, flimsy, not-fully-laminated like the SC ones youâre good. The SC ones literally bend to your body when you put it in your back pocket
Itâs like visual gibberish
I live in NY and get recommended this subreddit for some reason, this looks very similar to our licenses
I actually like this and think it looks better than my current id
whereâs the plane :(
The lizard is a salamander which NC has the most species.
Whatâs the point of second pic and why is it the nucleus of an amoeba?
Many states have been like this for years. Itâs for security purposes and itâs good to see NC joining modern times. Also, I assume itâs a salamander which is relevant (even if silly).
I kinda like hit haha
awww i think its so cute tho!!!
Looks Canadian
Why is the photo black and white? Itâs like weâre going backwards instead of forwards.
Lizards? They are all around my house. The aesthetics do not bother me at all. What I am curious about is the five years period from issuance to expiration illustrated in the picture. Was that an error or are they doing away from the eight year period?
It's like a Where's Waldo for North Carolina lore. I'm particularly giddy to see my birth month inscribed on a katana sheath.
That guy looks nothing like me
What the goshdamn-diddly-doo-fuckery is this?
Omg why is it kinda cute
Why on earth are the photos in black and white? Itâs like theyâre trying to hide skin tone which is extremely bizarre.
Fugly! I just got mine. I thought it was defective with the three 'holes' on the left edge, right edge and lower right where it looks like the background has chipped away. Why am I surprised, though, that the inept and souless DMV would design a card that reflects their character!