Can a driver's license be replaced with a permanent one after 16 years?
2 Answers
If a motor vehicle driver has not accumulated 12 penalty points in any scoring cycle during the six-year validity period of the motor vehicle driver's license, the license can be replaced with a ten-year validity period; if the driver has not accumulated 12 penalty points in any scoring cycle during the ten-year validity period, the license can be replaced with a long-term valid motor vehicle driver's license. Driver's license replacement process: The motor vehicle driver needs to prepare 3 photos (1-inch size), with the following requirements: recent bareheaded, full-color front-facing photos with a white background (those who need vision correction must wear glasses); the motor vehicle driver must obtain a medical certificate from a county-level or higher medical institution or a military regiment-level hospital, which must include a pasted photo and be stamped by the medical institution; the motor vehicle driver must fill out the 'Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form,' which also requires a pasted photo. The motor vehicle driver's license must not be suspended, revoked, canceled, or have accumulated 12 penalty points, unresolved violations, or unpaid fines. If any of these conditions exist, they must be resolved before the license can be replaced. The motor vehicle driver must submit the medical certificate, 'Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form,' current driver's license, and photos to the vehicle management office at the place where the license was originally issued. The vehicle management office will process the replacement within one working day after verification.
I've been driving a taxi for almost 20 years and have renewed my license several times. I remember when I first got my license, it was valid for 6 years. Later, after 10 years of safe driving, I was able to exchange it for a long-term license, though it's not absolutely permanent. When I went to the DMV to apply, they checked my record for no accidents or serious violations, along with a medical certificate. After 16 years, if you meet the conditions, you can renew it, but if you're over 70, you'll need to undergo periodic re-examinations every few years. I recommend always driving safely—no speeding or drunk driving—otherwise, you won't qualify for a long-term license. The renewal process isn't complicated; just bring your ID, old license, and medical form. It saves you the hassle of frequent renewals over time.
