Do I need to go through procedures after my C1 driver's license expires?
3 Answers
C1 driver's license does not require any procedures after expiration. The initial driver's license is valid for six years. According to relevant laws and regulations, the validity period of a motor vehicle driver's license is divided into six years, ten years, and long-term. If the motor vehicle driver has not reached 12 points in each scoring cycle during the 6-year validity period of the motor vehicle driver's license, the driver's license will be replaced with a 10-year validity period; if the driver has not reached 12 points in each scoring cycle during the 10-year validity period, the driver's license will be replaced with a long-term valid one. Methods for renewing the driver's license: The motor vehicle driver can apply for renewal at the vehicle management office where the driver's license was issued by submitting the required materials. The vehicle management office will process the renewal within one working day after approval. Renewal via the "Traffic Management 12123" APP. Download the "Traffic Management 12123" APP, then select Service Center -- Expiration Renewal Service -- Fill in the information. The new license is generally delivered by mail. Visit the "Police-Medical-Post" service point at a postal business hall for 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 remember feeling a bit nervous last year when my C1 driver's license was about to expire. You need to start preparing for renewal three months before the expiration date, otherwise it'll be troublesome if it expires. I'm so used to driving to and from work every day—suddenly not being able to drive would really disrupt my life and job. So I made sure to visit the vehicle management office early, bringing my ID card, medical report (just a simple check-up at designated hospitals for vision, blood pressure, etc.), and a few one-inch photos. The cost was low, just a few dozen yuan. The renewal process was quick—just fill out an application form, and if the staff at the vehicle management office are efficient, you can get your new license the same day. Don’t wait until it expires—if it’s overdue for more than a year, you’ll have to retake both the written test (Subject 1) and the road test (Subject 3). Not only is it a hassle, but getting caught driving with an expired license could mean fines and demerit points, which is even worse. After driving for so many years, safety comes first, and renewing on time is a basic responsibility. After I got mine renewed, I even reminded a few newbie friends about it—they all found the advice super helpful.
As a middle-aged driver with over a decade of experience, I've gained deep insights into driver's license renewal. It's crucial to complete the renewal procedures before expiration to avoid unnecessary troubles. For a C1 driver's license, the validity period is typically six years. You should apply for renewal at the local vehicle management office 90 days before expiration – don't wait until it's overdue. During my last renewal, I brought my ID card, white-background photos, and medical examination certificate – the medical checkup is quite simple, taking just about ten minutes at the hospital. The vehicle management office can be crowded, and queuing is tedious, but it's worth the effort. The new license's validity period starts from the renewal date without any gap. Letting it expire for over a year would be disastrous, requiring you to retake the driving test from scratch, which costs both time and money. That's why I now set reminders on my phone a few years in advance to prevent forgetting. Additionally, your license status is linked to traffic violation records. If you're involved in an accident with an expired license, insurance companies might deny claims – this is something to be mindful of. Developing good habits makes driving more worry-free.
