How Long After a Driver's License Expires Do You Need to Retake the Written Test?
1 Answers
If a driver's license has been expired for more than one year, the written test (Subject 1) must be retaken. If it has been expired for three years, the entire driver's license examination must be retaken. Below are details regarding different expiration periods: Driver's license expired for less than one year: The license is in an "overdue for renewal" status. The driver can bring their ID card, expired license, and a medical certificate issued by a county-level or military regiment-level medical institution to the DMV to complete the renewal process without taking any exams. Driver's license expired for more than one year but less than three years: During this two-year period, the license is in a "revoked but recoverable" status. Although revoked, it can be reinstated. The driver only needs to take and pass the Subject 1 exam at the DMV to proceed with the renewal. Driver's license expired for more than three years: The license is now "permanently revoked," meaning the driving qualification is canceled and cannot be restored. The driver must retake all driving tests, just like a new applicant, to obtain a new license. Driver's license examination subjects are as follows: Subject 1: Road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge. The exam question bank structure and basic question types are set by the Ministry of Public Security, while provincial traffic management authorities adapt it to local conditions. Subject 2: Field driving skills test, including: reversing into a parking space, stopping and starting on a slope, right-angle turns, curve driving, and parallel parking. In cities like Shanghai, Subject 2 includes nine mandatory items: reversing, right-angle turns, parallel parking, tunnel driving, parking to retrieve a card, curve driving, narrow-road U-turns, emergency stops, and slope stops and starts. Subject 3: On-road driving skills test, covering: pre-drive checks (walk around the car counterclockwise, fasten seatbelt, turn on left signal, shift gears, release handbrake, honk), starting, straight-line driving, lane changes, crossing intersections, pulling over, pedestrian crossings, school zones, bus stops, meeting traffic, overtaking, U-turns, and night driving. Subject 4: Safe and civilized driving knowledge, testing awareness of safe driving practices. Exam precautions: Subject 1 is a theoretical test—don’t take it lightly. Double-check your ID before the exam. After seat assignment, do not click "Confirm" on the screen until instructed. Any unauthorized action may lead to disqualification. Ensure your video feed (top-left corner) remains visible throughout the test; otherwise, the exam may be invalidated. Subject 2 involves five skills: reversing, right-angle turns, parallel parking, curve driving, and slope stops/starts. Adjust your seat properly—failure to fully depress or release the clutch can have serious consequences. Subject 2 evaluates technique, not speed. Drive slowly to allow adjustment time and distance. No stopping, rolling back, gear slips, stalling, or crossing lines is permitted. Subject 3 requires pre-drive checks: seatbelt, mirrors. Follow voice prompts cautiously—watch for unexpected pedestrians or cyclists. After completing the test, shift to neutral before stopping to avoid stalling. Subject 4 (final test) shares precautions with Subject 1.
