Can I renew my driver's license during the extension period?
3 Answers
Driver's licenses can be renewed within 1 to 3 years after expiration, but cannot be renewed after 3 years. Below are the relevant details: 1. Within one year of expiration: The driver's license can still normally process the 'expiration renewal' service, but driving motor vehicles on the road is not allowed during the overdue period. 2. One to three years after expiration: This situation falls under the 'recoverable cancellation' status. The driver can renew the license and restore driving eligibility after passing the subject one test again. 3. More than three years after expiration: In this case, the driver's license will be canceled, and the driver needs to retake subjects one, two, and three tests to restore driving eligibility.
I remember last year when my driver's license was about to expire, I applied for an extension in advance because I was too busy with work to renew it on time. The extension process was very simple—I just visited the local vehicle management office, filled out a form, paid a small fee, and received a temporary extension certificate valid for six months. During this period, I could still renew my license since the driver's license status remained valid. So, I took a weekend to gather my ID card, old driver's license photo, and recent medical report and went back to the same vehicle management office. After checking my documents, the staff confirmed that renewing during the extension period was allowed, and the process took only about ten minutes. The key is not to delay too long—once the extension expires, it becomes a problem, as driving without a valid license can result in fines and penalty points. I recommend everyone take action early and not wait until the last minute. This situation is quite common, and many people mistakenly think renewal isn’t possible during an extension, but it’s actually no issue at all. As long as the documents are complete and the physical condition meets the requirements, the traffic management system can process it directly.
My friend encountered this issue last week. His driver's license was in the extension phase, and he suddenly wanted to renew it, so he came to ask me. I checked the traffic regulations for him and found that during the extension period, the driver's license is considered valid as normal, so of course, it can be renewed. He was worried about needing to retake the test or something, and I said, why would it be so troublesome? Just go to the DMV window with all the required documents. I took him there, prepared a copy of his ID card, a photo, and a medical examination form. The process was super fast: first, fill out the application form, then the staff verified the extension record, and issued the new license on the spot. The whole process took less than half an hour, and the key point is that the fee didn't include any additional charges. If you're also in the extension status, don't panic—this is a protective measure set by the government to make it convenient for everyone to handle flexibly. Remember not to wait until the extension is about to end before going, as long queues might affect travel safety. Additionally, if the driver's license is damaged, you can also renew it during the extension period.
