Can I renew my driver's license if it expired two days ago?
2 Answers
You can renew your driver's license even if it expired two days ago. However, driving with an expired license will result in a fine. According to Article 95 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses": If a motor vehicle driver commits any of the following acts, the traffic management department of the public security organ shall impose a fine; if the motor vehicle driver's license is seized, detained, or temporarily suspended, and the driver obtains a replacement license by concealment or deception; if the driver's physical condition changes and is no longer suitable for driving a motor vehicle but continues to drive; if the driver fails to participate in the required review and continues to drive; if any of the circumstances specified in the first or second item of the first paragraph occurs, the traffic management department of the public security organ shall revoke the motor vehicle driver's license. Methods to renew a driver's license: The motor vehicle driver can apply for renewal at the vehicle management office where the license was originally issued by submitting the required materials. The vehicle management office will process the renewal within one working day upon approval. Renew through the "Traffic Management 12123" APP. Download the app, select "Service Center" → "Expired License Renewal Service" → fill in the required information. The new license is usually delivered by mail. Visit a designated postal service point with "Police-Medical-Post" services to renew the license. The entire process, including registration, medical examination, and license production, takes only half an hour. Currently, this service is available in only a few cities, such as Hangzhou. Penalties for driving with an expired license: Driving with an expired license is treated as driving without a license. If the license has been expired for less than one year, the driver can renew it at any time, but driving during this period will result in a 200 CNY fine. If the license has been expired for more than one year but less than three years, the traffic management department will cancel it. The driver must retake and pass the theory test (Subject 1) to restore the license. Driving during this period will result in a fine ranging from 200 CNY to 2000 CNY. If the license has been expired for more than three years, it will be permanently canceled. The driver must retake all driving tests to obtain a new license. Driving without a valid license will result in a 2000 CNY fine and up to 15 days of administrative detention.
The year I got my driver's license, I also forgot about this. Being overdue by two or three days is not a problem at all. According to regulations, you can normally renew your license as long as it's been expired for less than a year—no need to retake any tests or worry about extra hassles. Just bring your ID card, medical exam certificate, photos, and the old license directly to the DMV, and it usually takes just half a day to get it done. Don’t foolishly keep driving with an expired license—doing so counts as driving without a valid license, and if anything happens or you get caught, the trouble will be huge. That time, I renewed mine a week after expiration, and it went smoothly. The lesson is to set a phone reminder to handle it early and avoid forgetting. Life moves fast, and small things are easy to overlook, but as long as you deal with them promptly, there’s no risk.
