How long can the renewal of a C1 driver's license be delayed?
2 Answers
The maximum allowable period for a C1 driver's license to be expired is 3 years. Article 57 of the "Traffic Regulations and Penalty Points Rules" states: A motor vehicle driver shall apply for license renewal at the vehicle management office of the license issuing authority or elsewhere within 90 days before the expiration of the motor vehicle driver's license. If a driver's license is expired, traffic police will impose a fine upon discovery, but no penalty points will be deducted. There is also a latest deadline for license renewal: if the license has been expired for less than one year, it can be renewed through the normal process; if expired for one to three years, the license will be canceled, but it can be re-obtained by passing the subject one exam; if expired for more than three years, the license will be canceled. When applying, the applicant must fill out the application form and submit the following documents and proofs: the identity proof of the motor vehicle driver; the motor vehicle driver's license; a medical condition certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution or a military medical institution at or above the regimental level. For those applying for a special small automatic transmission passenger vehicle for the disabled, a medical condition certificate issued by a specialized medical institution designated by the provincial health authority must be submitted. Relevant matters for renewing the driver's license upon expiration: The driver's license can be applied for renewal within 90 days of its expiration. You can apply for renewal at the local vehicle management office or online. When renewing, after filling out the renewal application as needed, the applicant must bring their ID card, driver's license, medical examination report, and other relevant materials. A recent one-inch color bareheaded photo with a white background must be used for the renewal. If the photo is not qualified, a new qualified photo must be taken. After the motor vehicle driver's license is renewed, the original license becomes invalid and cannot be used again. The driver's personal information on the license must be properly kept and not discarded at will to avoid information leakage, which could cause issues in the use of the motor vehicle driver's license. About renewal: Before renewal, all related traffic violations must be handled, otherwise the application will not be accepted. Processing location: Driver's license renewal can be processed at the vehicle management office of the license issuing authority or elsewhere. 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. The photos and medical examination proof required for renewal can be brought by the applicant. If concerned about the qualification of self-prepared materials, they can be processed directly at the traffic police office to avoid delays.
Regarding the issue of delaying the renewal of a C1 driver's license, I remember encountering it myself after driving for many years. After the license expires, there is a 90-day grace period stipulated by the state for delayed renewal. Failing to renew within this period may result in fines or even require retaking the theoretical exam. Many people overlook this because the validity period of the license is so long that it's easy to forget. I also recommend downloading a traffic management app and setting a renewal reminder to avoid unnecessary hassle. Before renewing, you need to undergo a medical check-up and bring photos to the vehicle management office. Avoid peak hours to save time on queuing. Driving without a valid license poses significant risks, and in case of an accident, insurance may not cover the damages, leading to greater losses. In short, don’t delay too long—renew early for peace of mind.
