Can I still renew my driver's license if it has been expired for five months?
2 Answers
You can normally renew your driver's license if it has been expired for five months. If the expiration period is less than one year, you can renew it as usual; if it has been expired for more than one year but less than three years, the license will be canceled, but you can renew it by passing the subject one test; if it has been expired for more than three years, the license will become invalid and cannot be renewed. Renewal process: The motor vehicle driver should bring the required materials to the vehicle management office where the driver's license was issued to apply for renewal. The vehicle management office will process the renewal within one working day after approval. In addition to applying for renewal at the vehicle management office, you can also apply for renewal through the following methods: Renewal via the "Traffic Management 12123" APP. Download the "Traffic Management 12123" APP, select Service Center--Expired License Renewal Service--Fill in the information. The new license is usually delivered by mail. Visit the "Police-Medical-Post" service point at a postal business hall to process the renewal. The entire process, from registration and medical examination to the production of the new license, takes only half an hour. Currently, only a few cities have opened this service, such as Hangzhou.
I've been driving for almost twenty years. Last time, my driver's license was expired for half a year, and I still got it renewed without any issues. Five months is definitely fine as long as it doesn't exceed one year. Just bring your ID card, old driver's license, and medical examination report to the local DMV. The process is simple: fill out a form, pay the fee, and it usually takes half a day to complete. Nowadays, some cities support online appointments via the Traffic Management 12123 APP, making it even more convenient. But don’t take it lightly—it’s best not to drive with an expired license to avoid getting fined, although police usually just give a warning. Hurry up and get it done; if you delay too long, you might have to retake the test, which is a huge hassle and costs more. My neighbor last year delayed for a year and a half and ended up retaking the written test—now he regrets it deeply. Also, keep up with regular medical check-ups; maintaining good health is key to safe driving.
