Can I still renew my driver's license if it has been expired for over a year?
4 Answers
Driver's licenses that have been expired for over a year can still be renewed, but you will need to retake the subject one exam before you can renew your driver's license. Documents required for renewing a driver's license: The original driver's license of the driver; The driver's ID card and a copy; A physical examination certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution or a military medical institution; Three one-inch personal photos of the driver. Go to the vehicle management office to fill out the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form" and submit it along with the above documents to the relevant window of the vehicle management office for processing. Related services of the vehicle management office: The vehicle management office is mainly responsible for handling motor vehicle registration, modification, transfer, mortgage, and cancellation, as well as applications for driver's licenses, replacements, renewals, inspections, and other services related to motor vehicles and drivers.
My driver's license had also expired for over a year before, and I was so panicked that I rushed to the DMV to ask. The staff said it could be renewed, but I had to retake the written test on traffic regulations (Subject 1). I spent two days reviewing the question bank and passed the exam before getting my new license. During that time, I couldn't drive to work and had to spend a lot on ride-hailing, which was really inconvenient. A reminder to everyone: don't procrastinate like I did—just set a phone reminder before your license expires. If it's been expired for over a year, there might still be a way to fix it, but you need to act early. If you wait too long and it gets canceled, you'll have to retake all the exams, which is even more troublesome. Always pay attention to your license's expiration date and develop good habits to avoid unnecessary losses.
My buddy forgot his driver's license had expired for a year and a half, thinking it was hopeless to renew. Surprisingly, when he checked at the DMV, he found he could still process it—just had to pass a short theory test. He practiced on an app for a week and passed easily. Nowadays, the process is efficient with shorter queues, and he got his new license in two weeks. He admitted being too busy to check the date, and this experience was a wake-up call for me. Don't panic if your license expires—within a year, it's usually fine. Beyond that might require extra steps, but it's still better than driving unlicensed. I recommend downloading the traffic management app to check service guides—it saves time and effort.
Driving with a license expired for over a year poses extreme risks as it constitutes unlicensed driving. In case of an accident, you'll bear full responsibility plus face fines and penalty points. I've seen a friend severely penalized for this—he later reinstated his license by passing the theoretical exam, finally resolving the issue safely. I strongly advise you to stop driving immediately and consult your local DMV about the reinstatement process. Note the critical timeframe: licenses expired beyond one year require retaking the written test (Subject 1) to ensure skill currency. Prioritize safety—don't delay to avoid worse consequences. Regularly checking your license status is a fundamental responsibility.
