Can I renew my driver's license in a different location?
2 Answers
Renewing a driver's license can be done in a different location. According to national regulations, motor vehicle drivers should apply for license renewal at the vehicle management office of the license issuing location or another location within 90 days before the expiration of the current driver's license. If the license has expired but renewal hasn't been processed yet, as long as the expiration period is less than 1 year, you can still apply for renewal at the vehicle management office of the original license issuing location. Whether renewal can be done in a different location after expiration needs to be confirmed with the local vehicle management office. If the license has been expired for more than 1 year but less than 3 years, the license is in a "canceled but recoverable" status. You just need to retake the subject one exam at the vehicle management office, and after passing, you can proceed with the renewal. If there are unresolved traffic violations when the license expires, they must be settled before applying for renewal; otherwise, out-of-location renewal cannot be processed.
As a seasoned driver who frequently travels for work, my driver's license expired last year while I was attending a conference in Shenzhen, making it impossible to return to my hometown Suzhou for renewal. Through online research and friends' recommendations, I discovered that cross-city license renewal was indeed possible. I brought my ID card, old driver's license, and a pre-prepared medical examination report to Nanshan Vehicle Management Office. The staff warmly guided me through the entire process, including on-site photo taking and document verification, which took about half an hour to complete. My new license was delivered to my home a week later – incredibly convenient. Now with relaxed policies, regardless of where you work or travel, as long as you have all required documents (including ID copy, photos, and health certificate), you can process it at any city's vehicle management office. I've also heard that appointments can be made via APP to reduce queuing time – such thoughtful design that saves unnecessary legwork.
