Can I Renew My License Immediately After Receiving Points?
3 Answers
Points on your license do not allow for immediate renewal. According to the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses' (Order No. 123 of the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China): if your driving license has points, you must handle the traffic violation, pay the fine, and if required, attend theoretical study sessions before applying for a license renewal. The renewal time and required materials for a driving license are as follows: Driving License Renewal Time: Motor vehicle drivers should apply for renewal at the vehicle management office of the license issuing authority within 90 days before the expiration of their driving license. If the driving license is not renewed for more than one year after its expiration, it will be canceled. Required Materials for Driving License Renewal: Original driving license; ID card and its copy; three recent 1-inch color photos with white background and without hats, along with the digital photo collection receipt (provided by the photo studio); medical examination certificate (issued by a local county-level or higher medical institution, or a medical examination point of the vehicle management office); for non-local residents, the original residence permit and its copy are also required.
I had just been deducted 9 points before my last license renewal and specifically went to the DMV to ask. The deduction itself doesn't affect the renewal, but note there are two scenarios: if your accumulated points are under 12 when renewing, just bring your ID, medical exam form, and old license to process it directly, pay the fee, and get the new license on the spot; but if you've reached 12 points, you'll need to attend a seven-day traffic rules course first, retake the written test (subject one), and obtain the score report before renewing. The license point reset cycle is calculated as one full year from the date you received your license, not the calendar year. By the way, you can now renew your license via the app without having to visit in person.
Here's a practical tip from an experienced driver: Driver's license demerit points and license renewal are two separate processes. As long as your points haven't reached 12, you can apply for renewal anytime, even on the same day after receiving points. However, if you accumulate 12 points, the renewal process will be blocked until you complete the penalty phase. You'll need to attend a full seven-day traffic course and pass the written test (Subject 1) before becoming eligible for renewal. My buddy encountered this situation before New Year and it took him half a month to sort it out. Also, be aware that there might be delays when handling out-of-town violations - it's best to complete all fine payments at least two weeks before renewal. The medical examination requirement for renewal has been relaxed now, with certificates from county-level hospitals being valid.
