How to Extend the Three-Year Expiration Period for Driving Test?
4 Answers
The validity period of the driving test admission certificate is three years. If you cannot pass all the driving tests within three years, you must start the exams from the beginning. For the initial application for a motor vehicle driver's license or applying to add a permitted driving category, the driving skill admission certificate will be issued within one day after passing the subject one exam.
The three-year validity period for the driver's license exam cannot be extended if it's about to expire—I learned this the hard way last year. I failed the second subject test three times, and with work being too busy, I ended up letting it expire. The traffic management office's rules are clear: the study certificate is valid for three years, and if it expires, all subject scores become void. The only solution is to start over—first, cancel the original file at the DMV, then re-register for a medical check-up, and retake the exams starting from Subject One. I suggest you quickly check the validity period on the Traffic Management 12123 app. If there are only a few months left, hurry up and schedule the remaining subjects. If it does expire, don’t panic—retaking the test might actually be easier since you’re already familiar with the routes and rules.
A few days ago, my neighbor's kid came to ask me about this. He failed the driving test (Subject 3) several times and his results were about to expire. Based on our experience here, there's no such thing as an extension—the DMV system automatically invalidates expired test results. The only option is to grit your teeth and reapply: first, bring your ID to the DMV to cancel the previous registration, then go through the process like a beginner—new medical checkup and registration for driving lessons. However, you can switch driving schools when reapplying, so it's a good chance to find a better instructor. If the expiration was due to pandemic or special circumstances, you can try calling the 12345 hotline to explain the situation, but most likely, you'll still have to retake the test. My advice is to plan the timing carefully to avoid wasted effort. The retake fee is around 3,000 yuan.
The three-year validity period is an ironclad rule, don't even think about finding a backdoor. When mine expired, I asked everywhere from the DMV to driving school principals—nothing worked. After expiration, the 12123 system directly locks your file, requiring you to personally bring your ID card to the DMV front desk to cancel. Re-registering for the written test (Subject 1) might get you scheduled faster, but you'll have to go through the entire process again, including the theoretical courses. However, those with prior experience can complete Subject 1 through Subject 4 in as little as two months. If you have thirty days left, you might still salvage it by taking Subject 3 and Subject 4 consecutively. Remember to check the exact start date of your validity period—it's calculated from the day you pass Subject 1.
