How many months in advance can I renew my driver's license?
4 Answers
Driver's license renewal can be processed three months in advance, that is, within 90 days before expiration. Documents required for renewal: Properly filled "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form". Original "Motor Vehicle Driver's Physical Condition Certificate" issued by a medical institution at or above the county level. Original and photocopy of the applicant's identity proof; if processed by an agent, original and photocopy of the agent's identity proof are also required. Original motor vehicle driver's license. Three photos of the motor vehicle driver. Notes for renewal: If a motor vehicle driver has not accumulated 12 points in any scoring cycle during the six-year validity period of the driver's license, they can renew it for a ten-year validity period; if they have not accumulated 12 points in any scoring cycle during the ten-year validity period, they can renew it for a long-term valid driver's license.
I just renewed my driver's license, which can be done 90 days in advance, equivalent to a three-month window. Last time I went to the vehicle management office, I specifically asked the staff, and they said this standard is uniformly applied nationwide, so there's no need to fixate on the exact date. Before renewing, it's best to check on the 12123 app whether any traffic violations have been handled to avoid a wasted trip. Remember to bring your medical examination report and old driver's license. Many cities now also support on-site photo taking. If your license has expired for less than a year, you can still renew it, but if you're caught driving during the expired period, it counts as driving without a license, resulting in fines and vehicle impoundment. It's better to spare half a day to get it done three months in advance.
Yesterday, I happened to help a colleague with this matter and confirmed that the license can be renewed up to 90 days in advance. Key reminder: remember to complete the driver's physical examination first, which can now be done at community hospitals. Bring three white-background one-inch photos and a copy of your ID card. For out-of-town processing, it's even more important to start early. For example, our company's expatriate colleagues need to provide a residence permit, and the entire process takes two days longer than for local residents. License renewal upon expiration is usually done on the spot, but processing points often have long queues, so it's advisable not to wait until the last half month. The app will also send three reminder text messages when the expiration is near, but some people never receive them, so calculating the time yourself is the most reliable.
The current license renewal policy is quite user-friendly, with a 90-day grace period to handle various situations. Last week when accompanying a relative for renewal, I noticed: For licenses below Class C, no annual review is required for direct renewal, but Class A and B license holders must complete study sessions if they have penalty points. It's best to wear dark-colored clothes on renewal day, as the DMV's self-service photo machines are particularly sensitive to light-colored clothing. The fees are approximately 10 yuan for the license plus 50 yuan for the medical check-up. Some cities have launched the 'Police-Medical-Post' service, allowing you to receive your new license at home. Pay special attention to checking the permitted vehicle types on your old license, as some people only realized after renewal that their previously obtained motorcycle qualification wasn't carried over.
