How long in advance should I renew my driver's license before it expires?

[VonFaith]

Article 57 of the "Traffic Regulations and Penalty Points Rules": Motor vehicle drivers should apply for license renewal at the vehicle management office where the driver's license was issued or at another vehicle management office within 90 days before the expiration of the motor vehicle driver's license. If the driver's license expires, the traffic police will impose a fine upon discovery but will not deduct points. There is 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 it has been expired for one to three years, the license will be canceled, but it can be re-obtained by passing the subject one exam; if it has been expired for more than three years, the license will be canceled. Article 57 of the "Traffic Regulations and Penalty Points Rules": Motor vehicle drivers should apply for license renewal at the vehicle management office where the driver's license was issued or at another vehicle management office within 90 days before the expiration of the motor vehicle driver's license. When applying, the applicant should fill out an application form and submit the following documents and certificates: the identity proof of the motor vehicle driver, the motor vehicle driver's license, and a medical certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution or a military medical institution at the regiment level or above. For those applying for a special small automatic passenger vehicle for the disabled, a medical certificate issued by a specialized medical institution designated by the provincial health authority should be submitted. Materials required for renewing a driver's license: original ID card and its copy, a qualified medical examination form from a hospital designated by the vehicle management office, three one-inch white background color photos, a completed driver's license renewal application form, and the processing fee. The photos and medical examination proof required for renewal can be brought by the applicant. If worried about the self-brought materials being unqualified, they can be processed directly at the traffic police station's license office to avoid delays. Relevant matters for renewing the driver's license upon expiration: Regarding renewal: For the annual review and renewal of an expired driver's license, the old driver's license needs to be surrendered to the vehicle management office. Before renewal, all related traffic violation information must be cleared; otherwise, the application will not 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.

[SanJosie]

I've been driving to and from work for several years and have gone through several driver's license renewals. From my experience, it's best to start the renewal process 90 days before the license expires. Starting this early helps avoid missing details, such as bringing the original ID card and a one-inch photo for vision tests and other medical checkups at the hospital. I remember one time when I procrastinated until there were only a few days left—the DMV was packed, and I had to stand in line for hours, which was exhausting. Now, I've developed the habit of scheduling online renewals directly through the 12123 Traffic Management App, which saves time and effort. By the way, don’t overlook the medical report—poor vision could affect the approval rate. Remember, renewing early is not only compliant with regulations but also ensures worry-free driving and avoids fines for an expired license.