Why Finding an Opening Is So Competitive
The NC DMV system faces significant pressure, with appointments often booked solid for 90 days. As Fox 8 reported on the NC DMV backlog, cancellations are often the only path to getting a sooner slot.
But those cancellations get scooped up fast — often within minutes. Knowing when to check gives you a significant advantage.
Best Times of Day to Check
Early Mornings (6:00 AM – 8:00 AM)
Best time to check. Overnight cancellations become visible as the system updates. Many people cancel appointments the night before, and these slots appear first thing in the morning.
Lunch Hours (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM)
Good for same-day slots. People often realize during their lunch break that they can't make an appointment and cancel. Same-day and next-day openings frequently appear during this window.
Late Evenings (After 9:00 PM)
Planning ahead cancellations. People review their upcoming schedules in the evening and cancel appointments they can't make. These slots may appear immediately or queue up for the morning update.
Best Days of the Week to Check
Monday Mornings
Weekend cancellations pile up and become visible Monday morning. Check early for the best selection of newly available slots.
Thursday Afternoons
People often cancel Friday appointments on Thursday when they realize they have conflicts. Good time to find end-of-week slots.
The Challenge
"Appointment cancellations get scooped up fast — often within minutes." Even knowing the best times to check, you'd need to be refreshing constantly to catch openings before others do.
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