Thanks to a new state law signed by Governor Josh Stein, residents with a standard Class C driver’s license can now legally operate their cars in-state for up to two years after their licenses expire.

The goal is to ease the pressure on the state’s overwhelmed DMV system

But before you toss your renewal reminder in the glovebox, know this: that expired license grace period probably won’t fly beyond state lines. And, yeah, pun intended: keep in mind that U.S. airports require a valid ID to cross through TSA.

The new law, passed by the North Carolina Senate and now in effect through the end of 2027, doesn’t cover licenses that are suspended, canceled, or revoked

And while it means you won’t get ticketed in North Carolina for driving on an expired license, officials say it’s unlikely to help if you get pulled over in another state. States typically don’t honor grace periods from other jurisdictions.

This move comes as North Carolina continues to face major appointment backlogs, a problem plaguing DMVs across the U.S.

Since the pandemic, many agencies have struggled to catch up. Long wait times, limited staffing, and surging demand for services related to driver’s licenses have created a perfect storm. North Carolina’s temporary fix offers a creative, if imperfect, way to relieve some of the pressure.

To help further, the state is also rolling out Saturday walk-in hours at 20 DMV locations, local ABC11 shared. Starting this weekend through August 23, offices will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. No appointments needed. Drivers can renew licenses and ID cards, update addresses, get duplicates, apply for REAL ID, or take road tests if they’ve already passed the written portion.

So yes, you’ve got more time…but don’t forget the expiration date entirely. Other states, airports, and even your insurance company might not be so forgiving.