How Long is the Validity Period of a Long-Term Driver's License?

[LaGage]

The validity period of a motor vehicle driver's license is divided into 6 years, 10 years, and permanent. During the 6-year validity period of the driver's license, if the driver has not accumulated 12 penalty points in each scoring cycle, they can exchange it for a 10-year validity license. If they have accumulated 12 points, the license will remain valid for 6 years. During the 10-year validity period, if the driver has not accumulated 12 penalty points in each scoring cycle, they can exchange it for a permanent validity license. Below is additional information: Article 57 of the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses' stipulates: A motor vehicle driver shall apply for a license renewal at the vehicle management office of the issuing authority or another location 90 days before the expiration of the current driver's license. When applying, the driver must fill out an application form and submit the following documents: 1. The driver's identity proof; 2. The current driver's license; 3. A medical certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution or a military medical institution at the regimental level or above. For applicants 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 must be submitted.

[CarsonFitz]

Just got my long-term driver's license renewed a couple of days ago, let me share the details with you. The first-time license is valid for 6 years, during which you mustn't accumulate 12 penalty points. When renewing after this period, if you've maintained a clean record without reaching 12 points for 6 consecutive years, you'll qualify for a 10-year license. Then before the 10-year license expires, if you've kept a perfect record every single year (yes, each year counts) without hitting 12 points, you can apply for a permanent license. But remember, after turning 70, you'll need to submit annual medical reports – even permanent license holders must undergo regular check-ups. Several friends of mine missed out on upgrading to permanent licenses because they got penalized during intermediate scoring periods.

[Baker]

I've been driving for over 30 years and renewed my license three times. The long-term driver's license is indeed convenient. However, there are two key conditions: you must be at least 20 years old, and you cannot have all 12 points deducted in any scoring cycle during the 10 years prior to application. Note that this applies to every cycle! For example, if you suddenly lose all 12 points in the ninth year, it won't matter even if you had perfect scores for the first eight years. Although the long-term license is marked as 'permanent,' you must submit a medical certificate of physical condition annually after your 70th birthday, otherwise it will automatically become invalid. When obtaining the license, it's advisable to set a reminder on the 12123 APP, as older people tend to forget things easily.

[Addyson]

Just helped my dad renew his long-term driver's license. Simply put: The first license is valid for 6 years. If you haven't accumulated full demerit points in the first 6 years when renewing, you'll get a 10-year validity license. When the 10-year validity is about to expire, as long as you confirm that you haven't accumulated 12 points in any scoring cycle over the past 10 years, you can renew it for a long-term license. However, there are three key points: 1. You must be at least 26 years old to apply for a long-term license (if you got your license at 16, the earliest you can get a long-term one is at 26); 2. You need to bring a medical examination form when renewing; 3. After turning 70, even with a long-term license, you must undergo an annual medical exam. The vision test chart is quite crowded, so it's better to prepare your glasses in advance.

[DelGage]

Last month, I saw a notice posted at the vehicle management office window: a long-term driver's license = no fixed expiration date. However, to obtain it, you need to complete two upgrades: from a 6-year term to a 10-year term, and then from a 10-year term to a long-term one. Each upgrade requires meeting the demerit point record requirements. There's a catch to note: even if the total demerit points are less than 12, as long as you have been penalized in any scoring cycle, that cycle will not count as 'not accumulating 12 points' when upgrading to a long-term license. It is recommended to check the scoring cycle after each traffic violation is handled; you can view the specific start and end dates on the 12123 APP. A long-term driver's license is not a one-time solution; after the age of 70, you need to submit a medical examination report annually.

[DiBrantley]

As a fleet manager, I remind you: Long-term driver's licenses actually have hidden expiration rules. The core principle is 'two upgrades + continuous compliance'. After the first 6 years of holding a license, if conditions are met, you can upgrade to a 10-year license; after another 10 years, if still compliant, you qualify for a long-term license. Note two critical timelines: The demerit point cycle is always calculated from the original license issuance date, unrelated to calendar years; the 90-day period before expiration is the renewal window. After age 70, even with a long-term license, annual driving medical exams at tier-3 hospitals are required, including additional tests for reaction time and visual field beyond standard physicals. Many experienced drivers fail at this medical examination step.