How Early or Late Can a Driver's License Be Renewed?
3 Answers
Driver's license renewal can be done up to 90 days in advance, but cannot be delayed. Motor vehicle drivers should apply for renewal at the vehicle management office of the original license issuing authority within 90 days before the expiration of their driver's license. When applying, they must fill out the 'Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form'. Renewal Materials: Bring two copies of ID card, two recent 1-inch color passport photos without hats, original ID card, original driver's license, and a medical examination certificate from a county-level or above hospital (free physical examination is also available at the vehicle management office). Renewal Process: The motor vehicle driver should bring the required materials to the vehicle management office of the original license issuing authority to apply for renewal. The vehicle management office will process the renewal within one working day after review and approval. If the driver's license has expired for less than one year, it can be renewed normally; if it has expired for more than one year but less than three years, the license will be canceled, but it can be renewed by passing the subject one test; if it has expired for more than three years, the license will be invalid and cannot be renewed.
I heard this from a traffic police friend - renewing your driver's license requires advance planning. According to traffic regulations, you can apply for renewal up to 90 days before expiration, meaning you have about three months' window. Last time I renewed mine two months early - just took a lunch break on a weekday to visit the DMV and got it done. The key point is never procrastinate - even one day past expiration makes your license invalid. If caught driving then, they'll confiscate your license, issue fines, and make you retake the written test. A neighbor got fined 500 yuan because work kept him too busy to notice the expiry date. My advice: set a phone calendar reminder one month in advance - that's the safest approach.
As a driver who's on the road every day for business, I know the license renewal timeline like the back of my hand. You can start the process 90 days in advance, but missing that window by even one day is a no-go. Last year, my partner's license expiration date fell right during peak transport season - he went to the DMV on day 89, and still had to queue for two hours to get it sorted. Had he delayed another two days, all his long-haul assignments would've been scrapped. Nowadays I always advise new drivers to stick a reminder note in their document holder about handling renewal three months before expiration. Pro tip: bring your original ID, medical report, and old license for renewal, and check DMV operating hours if going on a weekend.
