Two Fees, Two Offices, One Reinstatement
The base fee goes to the NCDMV. The restoration fee goes to the clerk of superior court in the county where your suspension originated. Both must be paid and both must clear before your license processes.
Most drivers budget for the $100 DMV fee because that's the number the suspension notice lists. If you arrive at the DMV with only $100, your reinstatement will not process that day.
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Both must clear before license processing begins.
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles fee schedule
Which Fee Pays for What
The $100 base reinstatement fee covers the NCDMV's administrative cost of processing your license restoration. This fee applies to nearly all suspension causes: DUI, points accumulation, uninsured driving, unpaid tickets, and failure-to-appear. It is a flat $100 regardless of how long your suspension lasted or what triggered it.
This fee is collected by the clerk of superior court in the county where your suspension was issued. If your suspension originated from a court case (DUI, reckless driving, FTA), the restoration fee is mandatory. If your suspension was purely administrative (points, insurance lapse), the restoration fee may still apply depending on how the suspension was processed.
The two fees serve different offices. The DMV cannot waive the court's restoration fee, and the court cannot waive the DMV's reinstatement fee. Both must be paid in full before your license is restored.
Payment Sequence and Processing Timeline
Visit the clerk of superior court in the county where your suspension originated. Bring your suspension notice and a form of payment (cash, money order, or card depending on county). The clerk will issue a receipt showing the restoration fee has been paid. Keep this receipt — you will need it at the DMV.
Pay the $100 base reinstatement fee second. You can pay online through the NCDMV website, by mail, or in person at any NCDMV office. If you pay online or by mail, allow 3-5 business days for the payment to post to your driving record. If you pay in person, the fee posts immediately. Bring your clerk's receipt showing the restoration fee has cleared. The DMV will verify both fees before processing your license.
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Additional Costs Beyond the Two Fees
It does not cover underlying fines, court costs, or insurance filing requirements. If your suspension was triggered by unpaid tickets, those fines must be paid before the DMV will accept your reinstatement fee. If your suspension was triggered by a DUI or uninsured driving charge, you must submit a DL-123 certificate of insurance proving financial responsibility before reinstatement processing begins.
North Carolina does not use SR-22 filing. Instead, the state requires a DL-123 certificate issued by an NC-licensed insurer. The DL-123 is valid for 30 days from issuance and must be presented by you — it is not continuously filed by the carrier. Most carriers charge a small one-time fee to issue the DL-123. If your suspension was DUI-related, you must also complete a substance abuse assessment under G.S. 20-17.6 before applying for reinstatement or a Limited Driving Privilege.
If you need a Limited Driving Privilege while your suspension is still active, you will pay the $100 processing fee to the clerk of superior court in the county where the privilege is issued. The privilege processing fee does not reduce the reinstatement cost — it is an additional charge for court-granted restricted driving.
NC License Suspension Period
60-365 days
North Carolina license suspensions range from 60 days to 365 days depending on the violation.
North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 20
In-Person Reinstatement and Required Documentation
North Carolina does not allow fully online reinstatement for most suspension causes. You must visit an NCDMV office in person to complete the process. If your suspension was DUI-related, bring proof of substance abuse assessment completion.
The DMV will verify that all underlying violations have been cleared, all required fees have been paid, and all documentation has been submitted. If any piece is missing, your reinstatement will not process that day. Processing time at the counter is typically 15-30 minutes once all requirements are met. Your license will be issued the same day if you pass any required vision test.
What Happens If You Pay Only One Fee
The DMV system flags unpaid restoration fees and blocks reinstatement until the clerk's office confirms payment. You will need to leave the DMV, pay the restoration fee at the courthouse, obtain a receipt, and return to the DMV with proof of payment.
The clerk's payment does not trigger DMV processing — both fees must clear before the system allows reinstatement. Paying in installments or paying only one fee extends your time without a license and may trigger additional complications if you are required to maintain continuous insurance coverage during the suspension period.