Can a driver's license be renewed in a different location?
2 Answers
A driver's license cannot be directly renewed in a different location. You need to transfer it to your current place of residence before applying for renewal. Documents required for driver's license renewal: Bring your ID card, driver's license, four one-inch white-background color photos, and a medical certificate (physical examination form) issued by a county-level or military regiment-level medical institution to the local vehicle management office for processing. Driver's license renewal cycle: The validity period of a motor vehicle driver's license is divided into six years, ten years, and long-term. If the driver has not accumulated 12 penalty points in any scoring cycle during the six-year validity period, the license can be renewed for a ten-year validity period.
Now it's indeed possible to renew a Chinese driver's license in a different location. In recent years, traffic management authorities have promoted convenient services, allowing vehicle owners to renew their licenses outside the original issuing region. The main requirement is that if you work or live in another location, you need to provide a local residence permit or household registration certificate, which enables you to apply for a renewal at the local vehicle management office. I recently helped my cousin renew his license in Shanghai—his original license was issued in Hunan, but with his Shanghai residence permit, he brought his ID card, original driver's license, one-inch photo, and medical examination report to the Pudong Vehicle Management Office, and it was done in half an hour. This policy is incredibly convenient, eliminating the hassle of traveling back and forth, especially for those who frequently travel for work. I recommend making an appointment in advance via the Traffic Management 12123 App to reduce waiting time. Failing to renew an expired license may result in a 200-yuan fine and affect driving safety, so don't delay the process.
