Can I drive with an expired driver's license?
3 Answers
Driving with an expired driver's license is not allowed and is considered unlicensed driving, which is illegal in China. Here is relevant information about expired driver's licenses: Legal provisions: According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, if a driver's license exceeds its validity period by more than one year without renewal, the motor vehicle driver's license will be automatically revoked; if it exceeds two years, the normal use of the driver's license can be restored after passing the subject one exam; if the license has been revoked for more than two years, the driver needs to reapply. Expired license: It is particularly important to note that driving a motor vehicle is prohibited once the driver's license has expired. Driving with an expired license is considered unlicensed driving or is treated as unlicensed driving. In the event of a major traffic accident causing personal injury or death, criminal liability will be pursued according to the law.
I've been driving for over 20 years and have seen too many cases like this. Once your driver's license expires, you absolutely cannot drive because it no longer has legal validity, which is equivalent to driving without a license. Last year, a neighbor in our community didn't notice that his license had expired and drove to the supermarket. He was stopped by the police, fined 500 yuan, and had his car impounded for several days. He regretted it terribly afterward, saying that if he had renewed it earlier, this wouldn't have happened. Renewing your license is quite convenient now—just bring your ID card to the DMV or use a mobile app to schedule an appointment. It takes at most half an hour. Safety comes first. Don't think it's okay for a short trip—if something happens, the insurance won't cover it, and it'll be even more troublesome. Regularly checking the expiration date is a good habit; don't wait until it's too late to panic.
I just got my driver's license not long ago, and during driving lessons, the instructor repeatedly emphasized that once the license expires, you shouldn't touch the steering wheel. An expired license means it's invalid, and if caught driving, it's directly considered a violation, with fines starting at over two hundred yuan, and possible points deduction and education. My friend Xiao Zhang forgot to renew his license last year and drove to a gathering three days after it expired, resulting in a fine of several hundred yuan from the police and having to write a guarantee letter. The renewal process is actually simple—just go for a medical check-up first, then complete the formalities at the vehicle management office. Young people tend to overlook this, so I set a phone reminder to check it annually. Remember, don't take chances on the road; it's high risk and costly. Renewing your license is much easier now, so don't make trouble for yourself.
