How Long Can a C1 Driver's License Be Expired?
3 Answers
C1 driver's license can be expired for up to three years. If the license has been expired for less than one year, it can be renewed normally; if it has been expired for more than one year but less than three years, the license will be revoked, but it can be renewed by passing the subject one exam; if it has been expired for more than three years, the license will be invalid and cannot be renewed. The driver's license is a certificate required by law in the People's Republic of China for motor vehicle drivers. Anyone driving civil motor vehicles on the road must apply for a motor vehicle driver's license in accordance with relevant regulations. The vehicle types permitted by a C1 license include small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles, and light, small, and micro special-purpose vehicles.
Last time my driver's license expired, I procrastinated for nearly a year before remembering to renew it. The DMV staff informed me that for a C1 license expired within one year, I could still normally process the renewal procedure without taking any tests - just bring my ID card and the old license to the counter. However, if it's expired for more than one year but less than three years, things get more complicated - you must retake the theoretical exam (Subject 1) to reinstate the license. I recall a friend whose license expired for over two years without attention, and it got completely voided, requiring him to retake all exams from scratch. Also, a reminder: never drive even one day past expiration, as traffic police will penalize it as unlicensed driving.
I once flipped through a traffic regulation booklet, which stated that a driver's license can be directly renewed within one year after expiration. If it exceeds one year, you'll need to retake the written test (Subject 1). If left unprocessed for over three years, the entire license will be revoked. Actually, the Traffic Management 12123 app is quite convenient now—it sends SMS reminders three months before the expiration date for license renewal. However, it's important to note that even a recently expired license cannot be used for driving—if caught, it could result in fines or even detention. Last time I renewed my license, I saw several people who had to retake Subject 1 due to overdue renewals, which was both costly and time-consuming.
