Can a downgraded driver's license be restored?
3 Answers
Yes, it can be restored by applying for an upgrade examination. After a driver's license is "downgraded," if the driver wishes to operate vehicles under the A or B class license again, they need to apply for an upgrade. According to the new "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," the time required for the upgrade examination has been extended compared to before, making it more difficult to obtain a higher-level license. Additionally, the driver must hold a C1 license for at least three years and have no full-point records in the two most recent scoring cycles before applying for an upgrade. Furthermore, the driver's license downgrade system only applies to large buses, tractors, city buses, medium buses, and large trucks, and the downgrade is step-by-step, with the lowest level being C1. Small cars, motorcycles, and other vehicle types are not subject to downgrade. It is important to note that if the downgrade conditions are met, only the highest-level vehicle type in the permitted driving categories will be revoked each time. For example, if a driver holds a license with both A1 and A2 codes, only A1 will be revoked the first time. Drivers holding licenses for large buses, tractors, city buses, medium buses, or large trucks will have their highest permitted driving category revoked by the vehicle management office under the following circumstances, and they will be notified to complete the downgrade and license replacement within 30 days: Being involved in a traffic accident resulting in death and bearing equal or greater responsibility, without constituting a crime. Having a full 12-point record in one scoring cycle. Failing to participate in the inspection for three consecutive scoring cycles. If the motor vehicle driver fails to complete the downgrade and license replacement within the specified time, the vehicle management office will announce the revocation of the highest permitted driving category as invalid. After completing the downgrade and license replacement, if the driver applies to reinstate the revoked permitted driving category, they must have no full 12-point records in the current scoring cycle and the most recent one before application, and must not have been involved in a traffic accident resulting in death with equal or greater responsibility. To complete the downgrade and license replacement for the highest permitted driving category: After passing the relevant examination, receive the "Motor Vehicle Driver’s Illegal Full-Point Examination Information Feedback Notice" (for A or B class licenses, the downgrade information will be noted on the notice). After the temporary suspension period ends, bring the ID card and the "Motor Vehicle Driver’s Illegal Full-Point Examination Information Feedback Notice" to the traffic police team where the license was suspended to retrieve the driver's license. Bring the following materials to the issuing vehicle management office to complete the downgrade and license replacement (if there are no pending traffic violations, the process will be completed within one working day): Original "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form." Original and copy of the motor vehicle driver's identity proof. Original motor vehicle driver's license. Three recent front-facing, bareheaded, white-background color ID photos (if local requirements include submitting a digital photo collection receipt, please submit it as well).
I've experienced this before. It's true that a downgraded driver's license can be restored, but it's not automatic. According to regulations, after downgrading, you must wait at least three years before applying for license upgrade again. During these three years, you must ensure no record of accumulating 12 penalty points or serious violations like drunk driving. When the time comes, enroll in a license upgrade course at a driving school and retake the theoretical test (Subject 1) and practical driving test (Subject 3). The whole process is quite exhausting, taking nearly half a year to prepare. The costs aren't low either, with exam fees alone exceeding a thousand yuan. So I sincerely advise everyone to drive carefully – restoring a downgraded license is really troublesome.
Having driven for over 20 years, I've seen many cases where friends had their driver's license downgraded and then restored. There are three key steps: First, after downgrading, you must complete a three-year safe driving period without any major violations; then pass a physical examination to prove you meet driving conditions; finally, pass the retest to upgrade. It's important to note that restoration becomes more difficult with age, and those over 60 can only maintain a Class C license. The entire process requires active application at the DMV. Honestly, it's as troublesome as getting a new license, so it's best to avoid violations that could lead to downgrades.
