Can I renew my driver's license one month before it expires?
2 Answers
Yes, you can renew your driver's license in advance. Article 57 of the "Traffic Regulations Penalty Points Rules" states: A motor vehicle driver shall apply for renewal of their motor vehicle driving license within 90 days before the expiration date, either at the issuing vehicle management office or another vehicle management office outside the issuing jurisdiction. If the driver's license expires, traffic police may impose a fine upon inspection, but no penalty points will be deducted. There is a latest deadline for renewing a driver's license. If it has expired for less than one year, the renewal can proceed through the normal process; if it has expired for one to three years, the license will be canceled, but it can be reinstated by passing the subject one exam; if it has expired for more than three years, the license will be canceled. Regulations: A motor vehicle driver shall apply for renewal of their motor vehicle driving license within 90 days before the expiration date, either at the issuing vehicle management office or another vehicle management office outside the issuing jurisdiction. When applying, the applicant must fill out an application form and submit the following documents and proofs: the motor vehicle driver's identity proof, the motor vehicle driving license, and a medical condition certificate issued by a county-level or military regiment-level medical institution. For applications involving small automatic transmission passenger vehicles for the disabled, a medical condition certificate issued by a specialized medical institution designated by the provincial health authority must be submitted. Materials required for renewing a driver's license: original ID card and its photocopy, a qualified medical examination form from a hospital designated by the vehicle management office, three one-inch white-background color photos, a completed driver's license renewal application form, and the processing fee. Photos and medical examination proofs for renewal can be brought by the applicant. If concerned about their validity, these can be processed directly at the traffic police department's certification hall to avoid delays. Relevant matters for renewing a driver's license upon expiration: Regarding renewal: For annual review and renewal of an expired driver's license, the old driver's license must be surrendered to the vehicle management office. Before renewal, all traffic violations associated with the driver's license must be resolved; otherwise, the application will not be accepted.
You can definitely renew your license in advance. I did this before. When my driver's license was about to expire in a month, I went to the DMV two weeks early and found that they not only accepted the application but there was also no queue. Just prepare the original ID card, old driver's license, a one-inch white background photo, and the medical examination certificate. Nowadays, many hospitals can upload medical data online, so you don’t need to bring a paper report. Fill out an application form on-site, and the new license will be ready in about half an hour. A special reminder: if you plan to travel far before your license expires, renewing it in advance is the most hassle-free way to avoid the awkward situation of being checked by traffic police when your license has only a few days left. After receiving the new license, the old one will be clipped and invalidated, but you can keep it as a souvenir.
