North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 20

The full text of G.S. 20-14 (Duplicate licenses), with plain-English commentary from North Carolina DWI defense attorneys Chris Adkins and Chris Purkey in the side column. Article 2: Uniform Driver’s License Act.

Attorney commentary

This section explains when you can get a duplicate driver’s license and what it costs. The fee is $16.75, and you must give DMV satisfactory proof of one of four reasons: the license was lost or destroyed; your name or address needs to change; your age now entitles you to a license with a different color photo background or border; or DMV revoked the license, the revocation period has ended, and the license’s original term has not yet expired.

Practical note: That last reason matters after a revocation ends. If your original license term is still running, a duplicate may be the route back to a physical license, though other restoration requirements and fees in Chapter 20 may also apply.

Commentary by Attorney Chris Adkins & Attorney Chris Purkey, Adkins & Purkey, PLLC · Reviewed November 2026 · General information, not legal advice.

§ 20-14. Duplicate licenses.

A person may obtain a duplicate of a license issued by the Division by paying a fee of sixteen dollars and seventy-five cents ($16.75) and giving the Division satisfactory proof that any of the following has occurred:

(1) The person’s license has been lost or destroyed.

(2) It is necessary to change the name or address on the license.

(3) Because of age, the person is entitled to a license with a different color photographic background or a different color border.

(4) The Division revoked the person’s license, the revocation period has expired, and the period for which the license was issued has not expired. (1935, c. 52, s. 9; 1943, c. 649, s. 2; 1969, c. 783, s. 2; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, s. 41; 1981, c. 690, s. 11; 1983, c. 443, s. 3; 1991, c. 682, s. 2; c. 689, s. 327; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1007, s. 28; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 675, s. 2; 2004-189, s. 5(b); 2005-276, s. 44.1(c); 2015-241, s. 29.30(c).)

Official text of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-14 as published by the North Carolina General Assembly (Chapter 20 PDF, retrieved November 10, 2026). Verify the current version on ncleg.gov ↗.

§ 20-14. Duplicate licenses.

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