Can an expired ID card with a magnetic strip be used for the Subject 3 driving test?

[AdamAnn]

An expired ID card cannot be used for the Subject 3 driving test. You need to take your ID card to the local police station in your permanent residence area to apply for a replacement. At the same time, you should apply for a temporary ID card, which has the same legal effect as a formal ID card within its validity period. The temporary ID card is valid for three months, and it usually takes three days to obtain, though you can often get it on the same day. You can use the temporary ID card to take the Subject 3 test. The driving test is a qualification examination organized by the Vehicle Management Office of the Public Security Bureau. Only by passing the driving test can you obtain a driver's license and legally operate a motor vehicle. The test content and passing standards are uniform nationwide, with corresponding test items specified for different types of vehicles. The "Interim ID Card Management Regulations" stipulate in Article 14: Citizens engaged in relevant activities that require identity verification have the right to use a temporary resident ID card to prove their identity. Relevant units and their staff are not allowed to refuse. However, the temporary ID card is valid for only three months, so it is recommended to apply for a new ID card as soon as possible. If you know your ID card has expired before the test, you can first inquire with the driving test center or the Vehicle Management Office whether other valid documents (such as a residence permit) can be used. If not, go to the local police station in your registered residence to apply for a temporary ID card as soon as possible. If you really cannot apply for a temporary ID card in time, cancel the test at the Vehicle Management Office at least one day in advance. This way, it will not be counted as a failure or absence, and you will not waste a test attempt. There are a total of five attempts for the Subject 3 test. If you fail the first attempt, you get one free retake on the spot. If you still fail the retake, the test session will be terminated. Subject 3 includes the road driving skills test and the safe and civilized driving knowledge test. It is part of the motor vehicle driver's license examination and is also referred to as the road driving skills and safe and civilized driving knowledge test for motor vehicle drivers. The road driving skills test content varies for different types of vehicles. Test content: Getting into the car, lighting simulation test, starting, driving straight, shifting gears, changing lanes, pulling over, driving straight through an intersection, turning left at an intersection, turning right at an intersection, crossing a pedestrian crossing, passing a school zone, passing a bus stop, meeting another vehicle, overtaking, making a U-turn, and nighttime driving. The safe driving knowledge test generally includes: safe and civilized driving operation requirements, safe driving knowledge in bad weather and complex road conditions, emergency handling methods such as tire blowouts, and post-accident handling knowledge.

[StArabella]

I encountered this situation before when taking the driving test (Subject 3). My ID card had expired, but the magnetic strip still worked fine. However, the test center said they wouldn’t accept any expired documents, so I had to rush to the police station to get a temporary ID, which wasted a whole day. Now I understand—test identity verification is very strict, and only valid documents within the expiration period are accepted; the magnetic strip functionality doesn’t matter. My advice is to check all your documents one or two months before the test and renew them immediately if they’ve expired. If you really don’t have time, bring your household register or passport as a backup, but it’s best to call the test center first to confirm the rules to avoid unnecessary trips and stress. In short, preparing in advance is always the right move.