Which DMV in Charlotte to go to? Switching to NC license from out of state but no car to get to DMVs outside Charlotte (Jacksonville: credit card, hotel)
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I've seen here that everyone advises against going to Charlotte city DMVs due to busy lines, crowds, etc. However, I'm in the unusal position of having to take buses to get to the DMV (for switching my out-of-state license to NC), since I don't currently have a car! And it seems like the only DMV offices I can get to by bus are within the city. (Unfortunately, don't have anyone who can give me a ride to the DMV since they all work 8 - 5 jobs & the DMVs don't have ANY evening/weekend hours!!)
I've already ruled out going to the Brookshire DMV location because it's not a good idea to walk almost 20minutes from the bus stop in that area (CATS transit itself advises against this on their online trip planner!) Of the 3 DMVs remaining, I'm located in the middle of all 3 (near Southpark Mall), so it would take me approximatly the same amt of time by bus(s) to get to each one (over an hour by buses to each DMV!) What I'd like to know is which one(s) you would recommend goin to as far as being the least busy & being in a relatively safe area for a female walking from a bus stop to get there? (each one has bus stops within a 5minute walk.) Here's the 3 locations:
-- 6407 Idlewild Road, Suite3rm112
-- 8446 North Tryon Street, 28213
-- 201-H West Arrowood Road, 28217
Would appreciate feedback about these locations, they're in areas I NEVER go to and I know they're not the safest areas. And if anyone knows of a non-Charlotte DMV nearby that's bus-accessible (Huntersville?), would like to hear about that also, would be willing to travel longer by bus to get there. Thanks
If the bus lets you out within 5 minutes of the place, North Tryon is pretty safe. This location is close to UNCC, University Hospital, Ikea & Walmart. You should be more than safe in this area. Closer to Charlotte on N. Tryon however and I would not make this statement. It's not real convenient for pedestrians however. I seem to recall there are no sidewalks on that part of N. Tryon. It's at the intersection of Harris. If the bus lets you off at The Promenade (a shopping center) you should be able to walk there fairly easily however.
I went to the Arrowood location about a month ago, and there was a long line first thing in the morning. I had to wait out in the cold for about 45 minutes because they only let a certain number in at a time. My wife went around 10:30 and got in relatively quickly. I would not go on a Monday or Friday if you can help it.
The area wasn't very nice, and I'm not sure about the bus stops. I would think you would be safe there though.
I would expect at least 2-4 hours of your time spent though. Make sure your ID has your full middle name!
Thanks for the replies. The N. Tryon DMV is very close to the University, I've already stayed at a hotel near there & know that the bus stop is close to the DMV and relatively safe (at least during daylight.) I just hate having to catch the #11 N. Tryon bus from the downtown transit center (now, that's an adventure!) to get there. While the #11 runs quite frequently, from my past experience it's one of the worst buses to take in terms of lots of strange characters, smelly homeless men, people drunk/high/acting out even sometimes during the day but definitely after dark! (I know this because I was stuck taking this bus for a week 2 years ago when I stayed at a hotel near the University my first week here in Charlotte, what a great intro to the city!) But I already have an appt set up at the N. Tryon DMV for a week from now and might take my chances going there, might even try on an early morning before that appt (How are the lines there early mornings, anyone know?)
The reason I have to get that NC drivers license is because my out-of-state license expired last June, never took care of it (not driving at all), haven't taken a flight since then but I'm planning to fly on US Airways from CLT to Jacksonville FL in mid-March. So I'm worried about presenting an expired license as my ID (have no other photo ID) even though whenever I've shown this license here the last few months for ID at stores no one has ever questionned it or pointed out that it's expired. (And since I'm not driving at all, no car, not risking any tickets.) When researching on line I've seen different opinions about whether I'll have trouble trying to fly with an expired drivers license. A US Airways phone rep said I should be OK as long as I get there extra early & have other ID such as SS card and credit cards under my name, which I do have (although who knows what kind of extra searches I might get subjected to?)
However even if I go the DMV tomorrow (Thurs 2/18) & pass the vision/written tests (the DMV reps told me that as long as my license expired less than a year ago I shouldn't have to take a road test), I would only get a temporary license w/no photo & it's likely that I wouldn't get my permanent photo license in the mail in time for my flight! So has anyone else tried to fly a domestic flight out of CLT airport with your only photo ID being an expired drivers license? What happened? Barred from the flight? Long delay? Strip-searched? Was it thru US Air (yeah, I know they're not the best carrier but I want to fly nonstop for cheap to Jacksonville FL!) If you've experienced going thru this at Charlotte airport or the Jacksonville airport, would like to hear about it.
Also, can anyone give me an opinion about the DMV at Idlewild Rd? Thanks.
I visited the Idlewild location twice with my daughter. It was very slow moving and the workers had a bad attitude. The overall experience took about two hours.
I've seen here that everyone advises against going to Charlotte city DMVs due to busy lines, crowds, etc. However, I'm in the unusal position of having to take buses to get to the DMV (for switching my out-of-state license to NC), since I don't currently have a car! And it seems like the only DMV offices I can get to by bus are within the city. (Unfortunately, don't have anyone who can give me a ride to the DMV since they all work 8 - 5 jobs & the DMVs don't have ANY evening/weekend hours!!)
I've already ruled out going to the Brookshire DMV location because it's not a good idea to walk almost 20minutes from the bus stop in that area (CATS transit itself advises against this on their online trip planner!) Of the 3 DMVs remaining, I'm located in the middle of all 3 (near Southpark Mall), so it would take me approximatly the same amt of time by bus(s) to get to each one (over an hour by buses to each DMV!) What I'd like to know is which one(s) you would recommend goin to as far as being the least busy & being in a relatively safe area for a female walking from a bus stop to get there? (each one has bus stops within a 5minute walk.) Here's the 3 locations:
-- 6407 Idlewild Road, Suite3rm112
-- 8446 North Tryon Street, 28213
-- 201-H West Arrowood Road, 28217
Would appreciate feedback about these locations, they're in areas I NEVER go to and I know they're not the safest areas. And if anyone knows of a non-Charlotte DMV nearby that's bus-accessible (Huntersville?), would like to hear about that also, would be willing to travel longer by bus to get there. Thanks
newbie, I tell ya what - dm me, one day next week I'll pick you up myself and take you to the one on Idlewild okay? Best time is right after lunch, I've zipped in and out of there myself twice in the last year. Making an appt really helps.
The DMV on North Tryon has been a nightmare every time I've been there. Definitely expect to spend several hours of your day there. I recently went to the DMV in Concord, and it wasn't that much better. (Thankfully I don't have to go for another eight years.) Someone there had an appointment though and was seen within five minutes of walking in the door, so having an appointment seems to be the way to go.
Also, I got my picture taken for my license last Monday (2/8) and received the license in the mail today (2/17), so I would think you'd be okay as far as getting it before your trip.
All of the DMVs in Charlotte are overloaded slow and full of people you really don't want to be around. If there was some way possible for you to get there, I would recommend getting a ride to one of the offices in the surrounding counties as mentioned in the previous post. I recently had to renew my license and I went to Mooresville and it went very fast. Interestingly I was in that N. Tryon DMV just this week and it reminded me of the intake center for the county jail. (I had to bail out someone once) Not a place that you would want to say in for a long time.
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(Unfortunately, don't have anyone who can give me a ride to the DMV since they all work 8 - 5 jobs & the DMVs don't have ANY evening/weekend hours!!
)
) But I already have an appt set up at the N. Tryon DMV for a week from now and might take my chances going there, might even try on an early morning before that appt (How are the lines there early mornings, anyone know?)
)
Was it thru US Air (yeah, I know they're not the best carrier but I want to fly nonstop for cheap to Jacksonville FL!) If you've experienced going thru this at Charlotte airport or the Jacksonville airport, would like to hear about it.
