Can I still renew my driver's license after it expires?
2 Answers
Driver's licenses can be normally renewed if expired for up to three months. According to Article 35 of the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses,' a driver's license can be renewed at local or non-local vehicle management offices within 90 days before the expiration date. If the license has expired for three months but within one year, it can still be renewed at local or non-local vehicle management offices. If the license has expired for more than one year, the holder must retake relevant courses before applying for renewal. Generally, it is recommended to apply for renewal within 90 days before the expiration date (but not earlier than 90 days, as applications submitted too early will not be accepted). The simple process is as follows: Medical examination (for driver's license renewal purposes). Fill out the 'Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form' (if the applicant cannot be present, a form signed by both the applicant and an authorized agent must be submitted, along with identification documents for both). Prepare the driver's ID card (original and copy), motor vehicle driver's license, and driver's photo. Online appointment. Submit documents in person, and the renewal will be processed after approval.
I've been driving for ten years, and my driver's license has expired once. A few months after it expired, I went to the DMV to get a new one, and it was totally fine! The process wasn't as troublesome as I thought—just bring your ID card and a copy of the old license, fill out a form, pay a fine of around a hundred yuan, and you're done. But be careful not to let it expire for too long, like over a year, as you might have to retake the theory test or a medical exam, which takes a lot of time. I think safety comes first, so always check the validity of your license before driving to avoid getting caught. You can usually book an appointment via WeChat mini-programs to save time and effort. Remember this: an expired license isn't a void ticket—just renew it in time, and it's still usable. Don't panic.
