How to Replace a Driver's License in Another Location?
4 Answers
You need to go to a photo studio that can take driver's license photos and obtain the "Digital Image Collection System Receipt." Prepare photocopies of your "ID card" and "residence permit." Go to the designated location for a physical examination and obtain the physical examination report. Then, go to the vehicle management office to get the driver's license replacement application form. Fill out the form. After passing the review, wait for notification to collect your new driver's license.
Last time I was on a business trip in Shenzhen, my driver's license was about to expire, so I renewed it there directly. First, I applied for a driver's license transfer on the Traffic Management 12123 APP, and the system prompted me to get a medical examination at a designated hospital. I went to a community hospital where the vision and color blindness tests cost only twenty yuan. Then, I took my ID card, old driver's license, and medical report to the vehicle management office. Remember to wear dark-colored clothes for the photo—they have self-service machines for on-the-spot photos. The staff verified the information very quickly, and within ten minutes, I was given a temporary license while the new one was mailed directly to my hotel. The key point is that after completing the transfer procedures, I won’t need to go back to my hometown’s vehicle management office for future renewals. If you forget to do it in advance, there’s still a one-year grace period after the license expires to remedy the situation.
I helped a colleague with an inter-provincial driver's license renewal, which mainly involves three steps. The most crucial part is to register the transfer location in advance on the 12123 traffic management platform; otherwise, the system won't be able to retrieve the information. Then, make an appointment for the vehicle management office service—don't just show up in person, as many cities now require online queuing. Three documents are sufficient: the original driver's license, the ID card, and the medical examination certificate. Not every hospital can provide the medical examination—I went to the wrong place when renewing my license in Suzhou, only to later discover that the designated institutions can be found on the traffic management app. After completing the process, remember to get the receipt. The records will be automatically transferred from the original location, making future annual reviews much more convenient.
Nowadays, inter-provincial driver's license renewal is actually quite smart. Last year in Shanghai, after the system was nationally networked, there was no need to submit paper files. Just swipe your ID card at the self-service machine to retrieve your file information, and even the residence permit is no longer required. The medical report is directly uploaded to the cloud, and the DMV can check it in real time. Note that the photo must be within six months, and it's best not to use an old one. The total cost is 62 yuan, including a 10-yuan processing fee and the cost of taking the photo. If you use an agent, you need to write a letter of authorization and bring the original ID cards of both parties. The most surprising thing is that the new driver's license can also be mailed to your home, so you don't have to make a second trip.
