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How you can avoid the 10th circle of Hell: The line at the DMV

Interior of the new NCDMV office in Huntersville.  The people spoke, and the NC Department of Motor Vehicles listened.
Interior of the new NCDMV office in Huntersville. The people spoke, and the NC Department of Motor Vehicles listened. jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

Procrastinators, unite! Technology just made your life easier. You no longer have to spend hours at the DMV feeling like you’re in purgatory.

If your driver’s license expiration date is looming, salvation has come. You are free to renew your North Carolina driver’s license online every other time your license expires.

You can make up for lost time.

You can cut back on horror stories.

You can find joy.

We overheard a colleague sharing her joyous experience of the online option. She said her procrastination in renewing her license paid off because the second she saw the news about renewal, she took care of business. She received a receipt of payment and everything.

Another exciting bit o’ news:

The DMV is issuing a redesigned driver’s license. Expect greater durability.

The redesigns will be gradually coming out during the summer and are currently only available to those renewing online.

Check out the new style:

ncdot.gov

– Additional laser etching, like the outline of N.C.

– Designations for organ donors.

– Designations for active military personnel plus veterans.

– Designations for people under age 21.

Don’t panic, but you might still have to physically drag yourself to the DMV for a license in these circumstances:

– To get a new license.

– To get a commercial license.

– If you have restrictions other than corrective lenses.

– If your license has been suspended or revoked.

Time to renew? Ready, get set, go.

Photo by Jeff Wilhelm/Charlotte Observer.

This story was originally published June 12, 2015 at 1:00 AM.

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