Is it necessary to renew the driver's license in person?

[Jessie]

Renewing a driver's license requires the person to go in person. The motor vehicle driver should apply for renewal at the vehicle management office of the issuing authority of the motor vehicle driver's license within 90 days before the expiration of the validity period of the motor vehicle driver's license. When applying, the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form" should be filled out. Other ways to renew a driver's license are as follows: Renewal through the "Traffic Management 12123" APP. Download the "Traffic Management 12123" APP, and then select Service Center--Expiration Renewal Service--Fill in the information. The new license is usually delivered by mail. Go to the "Police-Medical-Post" service point at the post office to handle the renewal. The entire process, from registration to medical examination to the production of the new license, takes only half an hour. Currently, only a few cities have opened this service, such as Hangzhou. Renewal and inspection must meet the following conditions: Holders of large passenger car, tractor, city bus, medium-sized passenger car, or large truck driver's licenses have no points recorded in this scoring cycle, or holders of other types of driver's licenses have less than 12 points recorded in this scoring cycle; Holders of large passenger car, tractor, city bus, medium-sized passenger car, or large truck driver's licenses have points recorded in this scoring cycle, as well as holders of other types of driver's licenses who have been involved in a traffic accident causing death and have assumed equal or greater responsibility but have not had their motor vehicle driver's license revoked, and have participated in the inspection education; The applicant has no pending road traffic safety violations or traffic accidents; The applicant's physical condition meets the driving license conditions; The motor vehicle driver's license is not legally seized, detained, temporarily suspended, revoked, canceled, or rescinded.

[OPaul]

Driver's license renewal usually requires personal attendance, as I've experienced several times. The main reasons are on-site photo taking, medical check-ups, and identity verification to ensure it's the actual license holder processing. For instance, when I renewed mine in Shanghai, the system required real-time fingerprint and photo recording, making proxy applications virtually impossible unless with special disability certificates or documentation. It's advisable to prepare three months in advance with ID card, photos, and medical reports – don't wait until near expiration. If expired, you may face fines or even retaking the written test (Subject 1), which is quite troublesome. From a safety perspective, personal attendance prevents fraudulent use, ensuring road safety for all drivers. While checking local policies is recommended, visiting in person remains the most hassle-free approach – the process typically takes just half a day.

[StReagan]

Regarding whether a driver's license renewal requires personal attendance, I must say in most cases it does. I frequently handle such matters at the traffic management department and understand their reasons for requiring personal presence: to ensure process compliance and reduce fraud risks. On-site photo taking and physical examinations allow real-time identity verification, especially important for test items like vision and hearing checks. Occasionally there are proxy options, but they require power of attorney and special circumstance proof, such as providing employer certification for long-term business trips. I recommend everyone log onto their local traffic management official website to make an appointment and check required materials in advance to avoid last-minute queuing. Remember, failure to renew an expired license will invalidate driving privileges, and the consequences could be severe in case of an accident - timely renewal is a fundamental responsibility.

[Emilio]

My driver's license is about to expire, and I was worried about whether I need to go in person for renewal. After checking various materials and personal experience, the conclusion is that you must appear in person. The DMV requires you to take photos and undergo a medical examination yourself, which cannot be done by others. A friend of mine once tried to have it done by proxy, but it required a pile of certificates and a power of attorney, and in the end, it failed, so he had to go himself. It's safest to go three months in advance; don't wait until it expires and risk getting caught with penalties or having your car impounded. The whole process isn't too long—just half a day—but make sure to bring all the necessary documents to avoid multiple trips. I recommend planning your time properly and going directly.