Yes, NCDOT is sending Hurricane Helene relief checks

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some people are finding a surprise in their mailboxes: a check from the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles refunding certain late fees because of Helene. But some are questioning if these checks are real or fake:

From Viewer Chuck M,

“I received a check from NCDOT for $25.50 in reference to Hurricane Helene. Is this legitimate?”

Yes, if you received a check from NCDOT for Hurricane Helene, it is legit.

It’s a check that looks like this- that several people are questioning.

You can see it is issued by the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles. The check references Hurricane Helene relief.

Executive Order 323 allowed the NC DMV to suspend various late fees and ease certain requirements for residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. According to the NCDMV, some fees were waived from Sept. 27 to Dec. 31. 

These waived fees include:

• Duplicate or corrected vehicle titles
• Duplicate registration cards
• Replacement license plates or stickers
• Duplicate driver licenses

Many late fees were also waived during that time frame including 

• Late vehicle registration fees
• Late interest payments
• Title fees
• Late dealer plates.

According to the NCDMV, if those fees were paid and were waived by the executive order, you will receive the refund automatically. These refunds are not given in-person. They are only sent by mail.

If you believe you are entitled to a refund and didn’t receive one by Jan. 17, you can call 919-615-7000.

Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.