Can You Drive Without a Driver's License During the Renewal Period?

[OSpencer]

Driving without a driver's license during the renewal period is allowed. Operating a motor vehicle during the renewal period does not constitute driving without a license, as the renewed driver's license will indicate on the supplementary page that it is valid from the renewal date to the start date of the license's validity period. The renewal and inspection must meet the following conditions: Holders of large passenger vehicle, tractor, city bus, medium-sized passenger vehicle, or large truck driver's licenses must have no demerit points in the current scoring cycle, or holders of other types of driver's licenses must have fewer than 12 demerit points in the current scoring cycle; Holders of large passenger vehicle, tractor, city bus, medium-sized passenger vehicle, or large truck driver's licenses who have demerit points in a scoring cycle, as well as holders of other types of driver's licenses who have been involved in a traffic accident resulting in death and bear equal or greater responsibility without having their driver's license revoked, must have completed the inspection education; The applicant must have no outstanding road traffic safety violations or traffic accidents; The applicant's physical condition must meet the driving permit requirements; The driver's license must not be seized, detained, temporarily suspended, revoked, canceled, or annulled by law.

[DiAngelina]

Once when I went to renew my driver's license, I specifically checked the regulations. During the renewal period, if the old license expires, you shouldn't drive—it's a legal requirement. The police will check, and if you don't have valid proof, it's equivalent to driving without a license. The penalties range from fines and demerit points to possible vehicle impoundment and even affecting insurance claims. A friend of mine tried driving to the license office and got stopped by traffic police, resulting in a fine and delays. So, I recommend waiting until the new license arrives before driving, or using a temporary license first. It's an interim document issued by the traffic management bureau during the application process, valid for a short period but legally usable. Driving is no small matter—safety comes first. In case of an accident, the responsibility is greater. We should develop the habit of handling document renewals before they expire and avoid rushing on the road. Public transportation is also a good alternative.

[Corinne]

I love driving around in my free time, but I never drive when renewing my license. That's because once the license expires, it becomes invalid, and the traffic police system can detect the unlicensed status. From personal experience: last time I renewed my license, I thought about taking a short drive for convenience, but stopped myself on the way—realizing the risk of insurance refusal in case of an accident, with all responsibility falling on me. Fortunately, temporary licenses are very convenient—you can get one right at the counter on renewal day, at a low cost, but you need to plan your time in advance. I advise everyone not to act impulsively; following traffic rules saves both peace of mind and money. In the long run, developing the habit of renewing on time avoids such troubles and keeps you worry-free on the road.

[OMiles]

I've seen too much in my years, and driving during the license renewal period is absolutely unacceptable. An invalid license means serious violations if caught, with police treating it as driving without a license—fines, warnings, or even affecting future approvals. I was impulsive when young and nearly had an accident; the thought still scares me. Rules are society's foundation—we should comply to protect ourselves and others. Just wait for the new license; missing a few days of driving is no big deal. Regularly check your documents and renew them early when they expire. Safe driving is everyone's responsibility.