North Carolina – Driver’s Licenses for Asylum Seekers

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Here are some key facts:

• Asylum seekers with valid work permits are eligible for driver’s licenses in North Carolina! Read more about the requirements below.

• If you have another kind of work permit or another kind of immigration status, you may be eligible for a driver’s license in North Carolina. Learn more about the rules on North Carolina’s website, or search for a local organization to ask for help.

• If you do not have any kind of immigration status, unfortunately you are not eligible for a driver’s license in North Carolina.

In most states, to receive a driver’s license, you need to: pass a written test, pass a driving test, pass a vision test, pay a fee, and bring documents to show that you are eligible.

Driver’s licenses for asylum seekers with work permits

Asylum seekers with valid work permits are eligible for driver’s licenses in North Carolina! 

You will need: 

• a valid work permit

• a Social Security card 

• 2 documents to show your home address in North Carolina

• proof of automobile insurance

Learn more about the requirements and fees in North Carolina. 

Should I bring other immigration documents that are not listed above?

In addition to your work permit card, it may be useful to bring proof that your asylum application is still pending – for example, your asylum application receipt notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or a notice of an upcoming hearing in immigration court.

If you applied to renew your work permit, you can also bring the receipt notice for your renewal application. If you applied to renew your work permit before your current card expired, your receipt notice is proof that your work permit is still valid for 540 days after the printed expiration date.

What documents should I bring to show my home address in the state?

To prove that you live in the state, you will need to bring official documents that show your home address and your full name. Some common examples include recent utility bills (such as an electricity bill), rental agreements, and official school records.

It is usually a good idea to bring several different documents with you, in case some are not accepted. 

Where do I go to apply for a driver’s license?

The office where you apply for a driver’s license is usually called the “Department of Motor Vehicles,” or “DMV,” but it could also have a slightly different name. Type the name of your state and “Department of Motor Vehicles” in an internet browser such as Google to find locations and the most up-to-date information.

What if I brought all the documents I need but I am told that I cannot get a driver’s license?

If you are an asylum seeker with a valid work permit and you have all the required documents, we recommend trying again. You can try to go to a different DMV location in your state, or even try talking to a different employee at the same DMV.

What else do I need to do, besides bring documents?

In most states, to receive a driver’s license, you also need to:

• pass a written test, which may be available in multiple languages

• pass a driving test, which may require you to bring a vehicle

• pass a vision test

• pay a fee

There may be other requirements as well, and you should check your state’s website!

I have all the documents, but I do not drive. Can I still get a state ID?

If you do not not want to drive or if you are not ready to take the driver’s license tests, but you still want a state ID, you can try applying for a state identification card instead. Most states require similar documents for state identification cards and driver’s licenses. You can usually apply for a state identification card in the same office where you apply for a driver’s license.

Search for a different state.