Can I Renew My Driver's License Before It Expires?

[LeilaniRose]

You can renew your driver's license in advance. Article 57 of the "Traffic Regulations and Penalty Point Rules" states: A motor vehicle driver shall apply for license renewal at the vehicle management office of the license issuing location or elsewhere within 90 days before the expiration of the motor vehicle driver's license. If the driver's license expires, the traffic police will impose a fine upon discovery, but no penalty points will be deducted. There is a deadline for license renewal. If the license has been expired for less than a year, you can follow the normal renewal process. If it has been expired for one to three years, the license will be canceled, but you can regain it by passing the subject one test. If it has been expired for more than three years, the license will be canceled. Article 57 of the "Traffic Regulations and Penalty Point Rules": A motor vehicle driver shall apply for license renewal at the vehicle management office of the license issuing location or elsewhere within 90 days before the expiration of the motor vehicle driver's license. When applying, you must fill out an application form and submit the following documents and proofs: the identity proof of the motor vehicle driver, the motor vehicle driver's license, and a medical certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution or a military medical institution at the regiment level or above. For those applying for a small automatic transmission passenger vehicle for the disabled, a medical certificate issued by a specialized medical institution designated by the provincial health authority must be submitted. Documents required for driver's license renewal: original ID card and a copy, a qualified medical examination form from a hospital designated by the vehicle management office, three one-inch color photos with a white background, a completed driver's license renewal application form, and the processing fee. You can bring your own photos and medical examination proof for renewal. If you are concerned that your documents may not meet the requirements, you can process them directly at the traffic police department's service hall to avoid delays. Relevant matters regarding driver's license renewal upon expiration: About renewal: For annual review and renewal of an expired driver's license, the old license must be surrendered to the vehicle management office. Before renewal, all related traffic violations must be resolved; otherwise, the application will not be accepted. You can renew your motor vehicle driver's license through the mobile app "Traffic Management 12123," the vehicle management office, or the public security authorities.

[CarmenRose]

Yes, I think it's perfectly fine to renew your driver's license before it expires. In most places, like in China, the regulation allows you to renew it within 90 days before the expiration date, so you won't miss the deadline due to being too busy. Last time, I renewed mine two months in advance to avoid long queues on the expiration day. The renewal process is actually quite simple: bring your ID card, old driver's license, and medical examination certificate, then go to the traffic management office or apply online. The medical exam just checks your vision and reaction speed, which takes about half an hour, and photos are taken on the spot. Renewing early also gives you peace of mind—if you lose your old license, the new one can be issued directly. I recommend everyone start preparing a few months before expiration and not wait until the last minute.

[EllaRose]

That's right, I remember clearly that you can apply for a new driver's license before the current one expires, usually within three months prior to the expiration date. For young people like me who might be renewing for the first time and unaware of the details, it's actually super convenient: you can make an online appointment, fill out forms, and upload photos, with many medical check-up sites available nearby. The benefit is that you can also update personal information, such as your address or photo, and avoid the risk of expiration by renewing early. Last time, I completed the process a month and a half in advance, and it was incredibly fast—I got my new license on the spot and drove away. I recommend that new drivers pay more attention to notifications on the traffic management app to avoid last-minute rushes that could disrupt travel plans and daily life.