Can a 10-year driver's license be replaced with a lifetime one?
3 Answers
A 10-year driver's license can be replaced with a lifetime one, but certain conditions must be met. The specific conditions and annual review are as follows: To obtain a lifetime valid driver's license, the following conditions must be met: After obtaining the driver's license for the first time, the validity period is 6 years. Only if the driver has not accumulated 12 penalty points in any of the 6 consecutive scoring cycles, the new license obtained upon renewal after the expiration of the validity period will be upgraded from a 6-year validity period to a 10-year validity period. After obtaining the 10-year validity driver's license, only if the driver has not accumulated 12 penalty points in any of the 10 consecutive scoring cycles, the new license obtained upon renewal after the expiration of the validity period will be upgraded from a 10-year validity period to a lifetime valid driver's license. Driver's license annual review: No annual review is required during the 6-year validity period of the driver's license. The driver should go to the local traffic police branch to renew the license within 90 days before the expiration date; drivers holding Class A, B, N, or P licenses, although no longer required to undergo annual review during the validity period, should go to the Vehicle Management Section of the local traffic police branch within 15 days of the original annual review deadline to obtain the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form," fill it out as required, attach a photo, undergo a medical examination at the designated hospital, and then submit the form back to the Vehicle Management Section for computer confirmation; drivers aged 60 and above, regardless of the type of license held, must go to the Vehicle Management Section of the local traffic police branch during the original annual review period each year to obtain the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form," undergo a medical examination at the designated hospital, and then submit the form back to the Vehicle Management Section for computer confirmation.
I was curious about this when I first started driving. Actually, a driver's license doesn't directly become a lifetime license after its 10-year expiration. The first license is valid for 6 years, and after renewal, it becomes valid for 10 years. When renewing after 10 years, the key factor is your driving record over the past decade: you must not have accumulated 12 penalty points. Only if this condition is met can you get a lifetime license. I remember when I first renewed my license for 10 years, I had to undergo a medical check, which was very cheap, just a few dozen yuan. It's important to drive responsibly in daily life—no speeding or drunk driving—to maintain a clean record. Letting your license expire without renewal is not an option; the license will become invalid, requiring you to retake the theory test, and you might also face fines. I recommend making an appointment for renewal in advance at the DMV or through an app, bringing your ID card and photos. A lifetime license saves a lot of hassle, but the prerequisite is that you must be a responsible and good driver.
As a new driver, I've discussed driver's licenses with friends. A 10-year expiration on your license doesn't mean automatic renewal for a lifetime license. The first license has a 6-year validity period, and the first renewal extends it to 10 years. The key condition for renewal after 10 years is maintaining a good driving record without accumulating 12 penalty points; otherwise, you'll only qualify for a regular-term license. I've checked online, and a clean driving record is crucial, so I drive carefully now. Renewal requires a medical check-up and photo, which is straightforward, but letting it expire complicates things. A lifetime license reduces trips to the DMV, but remember, keeping a low penalty point record is essential.
