Can I still renew my driver's license after the renewal deadline?
3 Answers
If the license has been expired for less than a year, it can be renewed normally; if it has been expired for more than one year but less than three years, the license will be canceled, but it can be renewed by passing the subject one exam; if it has been expired for more than three years, the license will be invalid and cannot be renewed. Renewal deadline: A motor vehicle driver shall apply for renewal at the vehicle management office of the place where the motor vehicle driver's license was issued within 90 days before the expiration of the motor vehicle driver's license. When applying, the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form" shall be filled out. Penalty regulations for expired driver's license: Driving a motor vehicle is not allowed during the expired period, otherwise it can be treated as driving without a license. If the driver's license has been expired for less than one year, the driver can renew it at any time, but once driving on the road, a fine of 200 yuan will be imposed. If the driver's license has been expired for more than one year without renewal, the traffic management department will cancel it according to the law. Among them, if the expiration period is less than three years, the driver must retake and pass the subject one exam to restore the driving qualification. During this period, if driving on the road, a fine of more than 200 yuan but less than 2000 yuan will be imposed. If the driver's license has been expired for more than three years, the driver's license will be completely canceled, and the driver must retake the driver's license test if they want to drive again. Otherwise, driving on the road will be treated as driving without a license, with a fine of 2000 yuan and administrative detention for up to 15 days.
You can definitely renew your driver's license after the renewal deadline, but don't delay. Last year, I was too busy with work and forgot about it. When I went to the local DMV two months after it expired, luckily it hadn't been over a year. They just charged a small fine and had me retake the vision test. The process was quite simple, and I got my new license in half a day. If it's been expired for too long, like over a year, you might have to retake the written or road test, which is more troublesome. I recommend checking local regulations and preparing your ID and a copy of your old license to avoid bigger losses. Driving with an expired license is considered unlicensed driving, which can result in hefty fines or even having your car impounded—it's very risky. Setting a reminder app to handle it before the deadline is the most hassle-free way.
You can still renew an expired driver's license, just with a few extra steps. Most local policies allow renewal within one year, though additional fines will apply, and you'll need to retake the health check to ensure your vision meets the standard. If it's been over a year, the situation becomes more complicated, and you may be required to retake the driving test. So don't hesitate—visit the traffic management office's website to book an appointment or go in person immediately, bringing your ID and old license. Driving without a valid license is a serious offense; insurance won't cover claims, and the consequences of an accident can be severe. Renew it early to drive with peace of mind, and don’t repeat my friend’s mistake of getting caught with an expired license.
