The NC Department of Transportation oversees everything from the Department of Motor Vehicles to the large trucks that plow the roads when snow occasionally falls. There are thousands of workers which fill a myriad of jobs at the department of transportation. With the right education and training, you may be able to obtain one of those state jobs.

So before you rush off and submit your application for a job with the NC Dept of Transportation, make sure you research the kind of education and training you need for the specific job you wish to obtain. Also be sure to review the health and pension benefits associated with the different jobs as those are certainly part of the package.

1. Learn the core values of the North Carolina DOT along with the available positions they are looking to fill.

2. Obtain the required education to have a successful career in the NC Dept of Transportation.

3. Fill out an application for the North Carolina Dept of transportation and complete additional courses as part of your North Carolina Department of Transportation education and training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out about the employment culture of NC Department of Transportation

Every work place, whether it be public or private, has a work culture associated with it. It's important to understand what that work culture will be like in terms of what the day-to-day tasks will be as well as how one advances within the department. Take the time to read through materials that the state of North Carolina provides about working for the DOT. Also, check the job listings as North Carolina transportation department jobs range from servicing state vehicles to working at the counter at the DMV. Both of those jobs require different education standards.

I recommend: Check out the website for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. They offer a guide entitled "Your NCDOT Career." In that guide they cover how they provide development opportunities and room for advancement as well as the core values which will help you obtain that advancement. Also, check out the North Carolina Department of Transportation's available job listings. They are updated frequently.

Get a degree in order to work for NC Department of Transportation

When it comes to working for the North Carolina state DOT, it's advisable to obtain an education from an accredited institution. If you wish to work on the actual machines that the department of transportation operates, then a degree from a technical school specializing in heavy machinery is advisable. If you wish to work in the actual office of the department of transportation, then obtaining a degree in civil engineering or transportation planning is the route to take for a successful career with the DOT.

I recommend: Check out the website for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. They offer a special section dedicated to "College Programs." This includes everything from their recruitment schedule to programs they offer in conjunction with local technical schools and colleges which help you obtain the required education to work for DOT in North Carolina. Also visit the website for North Carolina State University; they offer a comprehensive civil engineering program.

Get hired by the North Carolina DOT and finish your education

The application process for the state of North Carolina Department of Transportation involves filling out a form which includes general information about yourself inclusive of education, personal information, and what job you'd like to obtain within the DOT. There is not a separate examination as with some other states. Once hired, you may be required to take additional courses offered by the state which get you up to speed on the infrastructure within North Carolina. Other departments like the DMV may have course work to complete as well.

I recommend: Go to the website for the North Carolina Department of Transportation and fill out an application. They offer the application in both word and pdf formats. Check out the TEA program. It's an 18-month course that is meant to familiarize new engineer graduates with the "rules of the road" so to speak. It's a crash course on the highways, by-ways and roads of the state.

The North Carolina Transportation Department is a great starting point for many business resource links including driving records, available highway projects and roadside sponsoring programs. Whether you need to find out where to send your drivers for a DMV test, or would like to put a bid in on a highway department project, you'll find the information you need at the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation website.

Use the Department of Transportation North Carolina website as a gateway to many other transportation-related venues. Find out the latest road closures and restrictions before your shipment leaves the dock, or keep your employees informed of any upcoming road construction and traffic hassles so they can prepare ahead of time and get to work on time. This guide will help you learn how to:

1. Access DMV records, forms, handbooks and testing center schedules.

2. Help your employees and fleet drivers stay informed about road closures, conditions and traffic reports.

3. Get information on highway projects or other business dealings with the North Carolina DOT.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search within the North Carolina Department of Transportation for DMV records and more

Start all your DMV searches at the NC DOT site. Order driving records for potential employees who will be driving company vehicles, or help your employees obtain the registration and licensing they need by printing out forms and handbooks for them to read. Use online forms to access driving records.

I recommend: The North Carolina Department of Transportation is a one-stop shop for information relating to driver's licensing, regulations and other motor vehicle information. Request driving records from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Use the NC Dept of Transportation to get the latest road closure and traffic information

Keep yourself and your employees informed by using one of several traffic report websites available. If your employees have easy online access to the latest traffic reports, they are more likely to get to work on time. Help them commute hassle-free by providing them with a daily morning report.

I recommend: Get road closures and detour information from North Carolina Traveler Information website, or check BeatTheTraffic.com for Charlotte and other city area traffic updates. Get the latest traffic updates for the Raleigh-Durham area at WRAL.com.

Bid on projects or apply for other programs through the DOT in North Carolina

Whether you're looking to bid on a highway project, or want to sponsor a roadside clean up, you'll be able to find the information you need on the NC DOT website.

I recommend: Check out the regulations for doing business with the North Carolina Department of Transportation Project Letting, or find projects through the North Carolina Turnpike Authority. To sponsor a roadside beautification project, consider the Adopt-A-Highway Program through the Roadside Environmental Unit.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your company has an employee website, make a direct link to DOT North Carolina area traffic reports through the website so your employees can check road status before heading to or from work.
• •  Make sure you follow all state regulations through the NC Department of Transportation when bidding on any highway projects. Fill out all paperwork completely, and contact the department's bid division to answer any questions before you submit your bids.

Whether you live in North Carolina or are only passing through, you need to familiarize yourself with the laws of the state. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is in charge of licensing both passenger and commercial vehicles, maintaining the highways, and overseeing safety and environmental programs. Contractors who wish to work on roads or bridges also need to contact the NC Department of Transportation to submit bids.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Project letting

Any companies wishing to bid on bridge or road projects in North Carolina must contact the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Project letting is done through their office.

I recommend: The North Carolina Department of Transportation provides information on project letting and supplies the forms contractors need. Click on the appropriate link to find the specific information you need.

International Registration Plan (IRP)

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has adopted the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a national plan for truckers who travel on interstate highways and move between the United States and Canada. Rather than requiring trucking companies to purchase licenses in every state, the program requires them to pay IRP fees. The states and provinces of both countries have a reciprocal agreement to apportion the fees according to use.

I recommend: See the International Registration Plan website for more information about the plan.

Safe Routes to School

The North Carolina Department of Transportation oversees the Safe Routes to School program. This national program encourages students to walk and bike to school safely.

I recommend: The National Center for Safe Routes to School explains their program and has links to resources and a podcast with more information.

NC DOT Wildflower Program

The NC Roadside Environmental Unit, a division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, maintains the plantings along the roads and highways. To beautify the state, they have planted wildflower beds throughout the state. The flowers bloom at different times of the year to provide splashes of color for travelers as well as to ensure that wildflowers continue to proliferate.

I recommend: The NC Roadside Environmental Unit offers an overview of the wildflower program and has links to the many different species that grow throughout the state.

Vehicle inspection

North Carolina residents are required to have a yearly vehicle inspection from a qualified mechanic. These inspections verify the safety of the vehicles and check the amount of emissions a vehicle is putting out. The inspection results are recorded by computer and are sent to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Resources (NCDENR), a division of the NC DOT. The program was recently updated so vehicle owners no longer need stickers.

I recommend: The North Carolina Department of Environmental Resources (NCDENR) has information about vehicle inspections and provides a calculator that residents can use to figure out when their vehicle needs to be inspected.

U.S. DOT Number

North Carolina is among the states that require a US DOT Number. Truckers or other carriers who cross state lines and operate vehicles over 10,000 pounds, who carry nine or more passengers, or who transport hazardous materials must have a US DOT Number. These numbers need to be registered with the NC DOT.

I recommend: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration explains U.S. DOT Numbers.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation does more than administer driver and vehicle services such as issuing licenses, processing vehicle titling and registration and overseeing vehicle emissions and safety inspections. The North Carolina State DOT is also responsible for maintaining state roadways, bridges and other transportation infrastructure, which often require projects going out for bid. It is also subject to federal and state laws and regulations.

The NC DOT adheres to laws and regulations designed to:

1. Ensure public health and safety

2. Ensure public transit is accessible to individuals with disabilities

3. Ensure that all businesses submitting a bid for a project have an equal opportunity of being awarded the contract

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Review North Carolina Department of Transportation laws and regulations pertaining to bicycles

The NC Department of Transportation adheres to the Bicycle and Bikeway Act of 1974 that established a bicycle program for the state. This Act classifies a bicycle as a vehicle and requires the North Carolina DOT to assist local jurisdictions with developing and implementing bicycle programs and facilities, provide safe biking environments for bicyclists and motorists and create a state bikeway system. The NCDOT Bicycle Policy further supports the notion of bicycles being an essential part of North Carolina's transportation system and that the NC Dept of Transportation locates bicycle facilities within highway rights of way where feasible and in accordance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials guidelines.

I recommend: Refer to North Carolina Department of Transportation website for information regarding the Bicycle and Bikeway Act of 1974 and the NCDOT Bicycle Policy.

Review North Carolina Department of Transportation laws and regulations pertaining to individuals

The North Carolina Dept of Transportation adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II by ensuring newly purchased modes of public transportation, such as buses, rail transit and subways, are accessible to those with disabilities and, if required, provide paratransit services to those individuals who are not able to utilize public transportation due to a physical or mental condition. CFR Title 49 provides regulations regarding the transportation of elderly and handicapped individuals and applies to all transportation projects receiving federal funding. Provisions of CFR Title 49 and include providing reduced fares for the elderly and handicapped.

I recommend: Reference the U.S. Department of Justice A Guide to Disability Rights and Laws and CFR Title 49 for detailed information regarding law and regulations pertaining to individuals with disabilities.

Review the policies from the North Carolina State DOT Office of Civil Rights & Business Opportunity

The DOT in North Carolina has an Office of Civil Rights & Business Opportunity and Workforce Development Office whose function is to ensure that all businesses have the same opportunities, regardless of the business owners' race, sex, religion or other variables protected by the Civil Rights Act. The Office of Civil Rights & Business Opportunity and Workforce Development Office oversees the North Carolina Transportation Department's equal employment opportunity programs for federal state funded projects such as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, the Title VI program and for state funded projects, minority owned and women-owned business enterprise programs.

I recommend: Refer to the State of North Carolina Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights & Business Opportunity and Workforce Development Office to learn more about their mission and functions. Learn more about Title VI by referencing the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division website.