Can I renew my driver's license if it has expired for a few days?
2 Answers
If your driver's license has expired for a few days, you can still renew it normally as long as it hasn't exceeded one year. Renewal time regulations: If expired for less than one year, normal renewal is possible; if expired between one to three years, the license will be canceled but can be renewed by passing the subject one exam; if expired for over three years, the license becomes invalid and cannot be renewed. The renewal process for a driver's license expired for a few days is the same as the normal renewal process. The motor vehicle driver should bring the required materials to the vehicle management office at the license issuance location to apply for renewal. The vehicle management office will process the renewal within one working day after approval. Besides applying at the vehicle management office, you can also renew through the following methods: Renewal via the "Traffic Management 12123" APP. Download the app, select Service Center -- Expired License Renewal Service -- fill in the information. The new license is generally delivered by mail. Visit the "Police-Medical-Post" service point at a postal office for renewal. The entire process from registration, medical examination to new license production takes only half an hour. Currently, only a few cities offer this service, such as Hangzhou.
My driver's license had also expired for a few days before I remembered to renew it, which is actually quite common. I quickly went to the local DMV, where the staff explained that as long as it's within one year of expiration, renewal is usually straightforward and not too difficult. The process was simple: I brought my ID card and old driver's license, filled out an application form, took a photo at a self-service kiosk, and had a quick vision check—the whole thing took about half an hour. The cost was minimal, just a small processing fee of a few dozen yuan. However, I must remind you that driving with an expired license is risky. If caught by traffic police, you could face anything from a warning and fine to complications with insurance claims. After finishing the renewal, I felt so relieved and have since made it a habit to check my documents regularly. In short, don’t procrastinate—if your license has expired recently, renew it as soon as possible. The earlier you do it, the easier it is. If it’s expired for over a year, you’ll have to retake the theory test, which is a real headache.
