Can I renew my driver's license if it has expired for two days?
3 Answers
You can normally renew your driver's license if it has expired for two days. If the license has expired for less than one year, it can be renewed normally; if it has expired for more than one year but less than three years, the license will be canceled, but you can renew it by passing the subject one exam; if it has expired for more than three years, the license will be invalid and cannot be renewed. Renewal process: The motor vehicle driver should bring the required materials to the vehicle management office where the driver's license was issued to apply for renewal. The vehicle management office will process the renewal within one working day after the review is approved. In addition to applying for renewal at the vehicle management office, you can also apply for renewal through the following methods: Renewal via the "Traffic Management 12123" APP. Download the "Traffic Management 12123" APP, select Service Center -- Expiration Renewal Service -- fill in the information. The new license is generally delivered by mail. Go to the "Police-Medical-Post" service point at a postal business hall to apply for renewal. The entire process, from registration and medical examination to the production of the new license, takes only half an hour. Currently, only a few cities have opened this service, such as Hangzhou.
My driver's license had also expired for a few days before, so I specifically went to the DMV to clarify. Being expired for two days is completely fine—you can normally renew it as long as it's within one year of expiration. But the key point is: don’t drive during these two days. If caught, it’s considered unlicensed driving, and you’ll be fined. Before renewing, you’ll need to prepare three things: a white-background ID photo, a medical exam report, and your original ID card. Nowadays, you can also handle it through the 12123 app, but as a middle-aged person, I’m still used to visiting the DMV counter. The staff will help you photocopy the documents. Oh, and make sure to clear any traffic violations first. The whole process was quite smooth—I got my new license in about half an hour, though the queue was a bit time-consuming.
Just helped my cousin with a similar situation. Renewing a driver's license two days after expiration is completely acceptable, as the law allows a one-year grace period for normal renewal. However, it's crucial to note that if caught driving during these two days, your vehicle may be impounded with additional fines - too costly. I recommend applying directly through the 12123 APP by uploading photos and medical examination proof - super convenient with home delivery. If visiting in person, remember to bring: a medical form (just ¥10 at designated hospitals), ID photos (avoid light-colored clothing), and a photocopy of both sides of your ID card. The system automatically checks for outstanding violations during renewal - any unpaid fines must be settled first. The new license's validity period starts from the original expiration date, which is perfectly reasonable.
