Do I Need to Retake the Test If My Driver's License Expires?
2 Answers
If your driver's license has been expired for more than two years, you will need to retake the test. Here is some additional information about expired driver's licenses: Expired or revoked driver's license: Although the expiration date of the driver's license is indicated on the inner page of the license, many people overlook it. If the driver's license has been expired for less than one year, the holder only needs to submit the required materials to the vehicle management office within one year of the expiration date to renew the license. Driving with an expired license: If a driver continues to drive a motor vehicle with an expired license, they will face a fine. Driving after the license has been revoked will also result in a fine and may lead to administrative detention.
My driver's license expired last time, and I thought I would have to retake all the tests. However, when I went to the DMV to inquire, I found out it wasn't that serious. According to the regulations, if you renew your license within one year after it expires, you generally don't need to retake any tests. You just need to undergo a medical checkup, take a photo, and pay a small fee of a few dozen yuan to get a new license. I renewed mine when it had been expired for three months, and it only took half a day to get the new one. But if you delay too long—for example, if you don’t renew it for over a year—you might have to retake the written test (Subject 1). If you don’t handle it for three years, the license will be invalidated, and you’ll have to reapply for driving school. I recommend setting a phone reminder for your license’s expiration date and handling the renewal a month in advance, so you don’t end up rushing at the last minute like I did. Safety first—driving with an expired license counts as unlicensed driving. If caught, you could face fines of several thousand yuan, and it could also affect insurance claims.
