Having a North Carolina state REAL ID can be very helpful for international students. These small picture ID cards can be used as a form of official identification, so you can leave your passport in a safe and secure place rather than carrying it with you. You can even use a REAL ID to fly within the US! A North Carolina driver’s license is not only a REAL ID card, but also gives you permission to operate a motor vehicle throughout the entire U.S. Should you wish you drive campus vehicles, you will need to obtain a US driver's license first.
A few things to think about:
- The first step in obtaining an NC REAL ID or driver's license is getting an appointment at the DMV. The Asheville DMV generally has a long wait time, so please time ahead and plan carefully. You can schedule an appointment here.
- Once you've made your appointment, be sure to request transportation with transportation crew, GEO, or with a friend. Keep in mind: if you are getting a driver's license, you MUST find a vehicle to take the driving test in - WWC campus vehicles are not available for the driving test. Learn about NC driving laws here.
- If you are getting a driver's license, you will need to purchase car insurance. Here is a helpful overview of affordable car insurance options if you own a car in the US. Here is a helpful overview for non-owner car insurance options.
To apply for a NC state REAL ID or driver's license, please see below for necessary documentation:
To see examples of these documents, please view the DMV website here.
