How to Renew an Expired Shanghai Driver's License?
4 Answers
You can renew your driver's license within 90 days before its expiration date by bringing your ID card, driver's license, physical condition certificate, and three passport-sized photos to the local vehicle management office where the license was issued. Fill out the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form" and submit it along with the required documents to process the renewal. After paying the processing fee, you will receive your new driver's license. Below is some relevant information about the renewal process: 1. Time for renewing a driver's license: The initial driver's license is valid for 6 years, with the first year being a probationary period. The second renewal after 6 years will be valid for 10 years, and subsequent renewals after 10 years will be valid indefinitely. Drivers should apply for renewal at the local vehicle management office within 90 days before the expiration of their current driver's license. 2. Expiration time for vehicle license: The "Motor Vehicle License" does not actually have an expiration date. As long as the vehicle passes inspection and review, it will continue to be endorsed as valid. The so-called renewal is essentially just going to get a new endorsement stamp. Electronic monitoring of overdue vehicle inspections provides a 30-day grace period for vehicles that have not undergone inspection. After 30 days, if the owner still has not inspected the vehicle, the electronic monitoring system will automatically record such violations.
Oh, I have experience with expired driver's licenses. First, confirm the expiration time. If it hasn't exceeded one year, you can directly renew it. If it's over one year, you'll need to retake the written test (Subject 1). You can download the Traffic Management 12123 APP on your phone, upload photos, and apply for renewal. But remember to get a medical examination report from the hospital in advance and upload it online. Offline renewal is more convenient—Shanghai has many vehicle management office locations. Just bring your ID card and old driver's license, and you can complete the medical check and photo on-site. The Pudong Minsheng Road location even offers self-service kiosks—the whole process takes just half an hour to get your new license. A special reminder: renew it early! Don’t let it exceed three years, or you’ll have to retake the entire driving test!
I just helped a friend with their license renewal last week. The key is to prepare three things: the original valid ID card, the old driver's license, and the medical examination form from a designated hospital. I recommend going directly to the vehicle management office for on-site processing, as trying to save time online might end up causing delays. The location at Shuangliu Road in Changning has fewer people, and the self-service medical examination machine can complete vision and color vision tests in just five minutes. Don't worry if you forget to bring a photo; you can get one taken on the spot for 10 yuan. If your license has expired within the past year, it's the most hassle-free, and you'll get the new license the same day; if it's overdue, you'll have to make an extra trip to the exam center to retake the subject one test. Almost all branches in Shanghai can handle this, just search for 'vehicle management office' on Gaode Maps and pick the nearest one.
Remember to check the expiration time first, it's crucial: If it hasn't exceeded one year, you can directly renew; between one to three years, you'll need to retake Subject One; over three years will result in direct cancellation. Online processing is recommended: Submit your application via the Traffic Management 12123 App, and complete the medical check at a networked hospital. For offline processing, bring your ID card and original driver's license to the Vehicle Management Office, with over 20 service points available citywide. The medical check mainly tests vision, so remember to wear your glasses if you're nearsighted. Photo replacement can be done on-site with a quick photo machine. The Minhang Qinchun Road service point also operates on weekends, making it especially convenient for working professionals. Don't delay, handle it early.
