How early can I renew my driver's license before it expires?
4 Answers
Article 57 of "Traffic Regulations and Penalty Points Rules": The motor vehicle driver shall apply for renewal at the vehicle management office of the driver's license issuing place or other places within 90 days before the expiration of the motor vehicle driver's license. If the traffic police find that the driver's license has expired, a fine will be imposed without penalty points. There is a latest deadline for driver's license renewal. If it expires within one year, the renewal can be processed normally; if it expires between one to three years, the license will be canceled, and it can be re-obtained by passing the subject one test; if it expires for more than three years, the license will be canceled. Article 57 of "Traffic Regulations and Penalty Points Rules": The motor vehicle driver shall apply for renewal at the vehicle management office of the driver's license issuing place or other places within 90 days before the expiration of the motor vehicle driver's license. When applying, the applicant shall fill out the application form and submit the following documents and certificates: the identity proof of the motor vehicle driver, the motor vehicle driver's license, and the medical certificate of physical condition issued by a county-level or above medical institution or a military regiment-level or above medical institution. For applying for a special small automatic passenger vehicle for the disabled, a medical certificate of physical condition issued by a specialized medical institution designated by the provincial health authority shall be submitted. Materials required for driver's license renewal: original ID card and its copy, qualified medical examination form from a hospital designated by the vehicle management office, three one-inch white-background color photos, completed driver's license renewal application form, and the processing fee. Photos and medical examination certificates for renewal can be brought by yourself. If you are worried about the self-brought ones being unqualified, you can directly handle them at the traffic police station's certification hall to avoid delays. Relevant matters for renewing the driver's license upon expiration: About renewal: For annual review and renewal of the expired driver's license, the old driver's license needs to be surrendered to the vehicle management office. Before renewal, all relevant traffic violation information on the driver's license must be processed; otherwise, the application cannot be accepted. The motor vehicle driver's license can be renewed through the mobile app Traffic Management 12123, or through the vehicle management office, traffic management department, or public security authorities, effectively renewing the motor vehicle driver's license.
I remember you can renew your driver's license three months before it expires, which is a pretty reasonable timeframe. Just two days ago, I helped a friend with the process, and the 90-day buffer period is more than enough to handle the medical checkup and document preparation. You'll need to bring your original ID card, old driver's license, three one-inch white background photos, and a medical report from a designated hospital. The DMV often has long queues, so it's best to go early on a weekday to avoid peak hours. Many people overlook that the medical report is only valid for six months, so getting it too early might cause it to expire. You can get your new license on the same day of renewal—just remember to double-check your personal information for any errors. Some cities now offer online renewal services, but for your first renewal, it's safer to visit in person to familiarize yourself with the process, making it easier next time.
Last year when I was working out of town, my driver's license was about to expire, so I specifically checked the policies. Actually, all regions implement the policy of renewing the license 90 days in advance, but there are some minor differences in details. For example, when I renewed my license in Hangzhou, the DMV required making an online appointment for a time slot first, which actually saved waiting time on-site. It's advisable to check the local DMV's official website requirements in advance, as some places may require a copy of your residence permit. For the medical check-up, you must go to a hospital partnered with the DMV – don't just go to any clinic. Also, remember to clear any traffic violations on your old license, as unpaid fines will prevent you from getting a new one. When I went on a Friday afternoon, it was particularly crowded, and I had to wait for over an hour.
Veteran drivers remind you to renew your license three months in advance. I've renewed my driver's license three times, each time going about two months before expiration. Nowadays, the vehicle management office has improved its services with self-service medical exam machines and photo booths, getting it done in half an hour. Pay attention to passing the eye test; if you're nearsighted, remember to wear glasses. The cost is about 40 yuan for the medical exam plus a 10 yuan processing fee, so don't forget to bring change. If you lose your old license, you'll need to apply for a replacement before renewing, which means an extra trip—too troublesome. Now, you can check the application progress via an app, but it's best for elderly people to have their children accompany them to operate the smart machines.
