Can I drive with an expired driver's license?
2 Answers
Driving with an expired driver's license is not allowed. The driver's license must be renewed at the vehicle management office within 90 days before its expiration. Penalties for driving with an expired license: If you are caught driving with an expired license, it will be treated as driving without a license. The vehicle will be impounded, and you will face corresponding fines and up to 15 days of detention. Circumstances considered as driving without a license: Driving without a license includes situations such as not having obtained a driver's license, having the license temporarily suspended or revoked, driving a vehicle that does not match the permitted vehicle type, or obtaining the license through illegal channels.
Driving with an expired license? Absolutely not. A driver's license is like our ID card—it has an expiration date, and once it's expired, it's invalid. I've seen too many people thinking it's fine for a short trip, only to be caught by traffic police for unlicensed driving, facing a minimum fine of 500 to 2,000 yuan, possibly even 12 demerit points. In severe cases, you could be held fully liable in an accident, with insurance covering nothing. Last time, my neighbor drove to work with a license expired for a month, got pulled over by the police, fined 1,500 yuan, and lectured—totally not worth it. Renewing is actually simple: just bring your ID and photos to the DMV, and it can be done on the spot. Or use the 12123 Traffic Management App to apply online. Don’t cut corners for convenience. Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility—if your documents are invalid, don’t drive. Just handle the renewal properly to avoid big trouble.
