Is the old driver's license required to be surrendered when renewing it?
1 Answers
Surrendering the old driver's license is not mandatory when renewing it, and whether it needs to be returned depends on the situation. For example, when renewing the license online, some regions require drivers to submit their old driver's license before issuing the new one via mail. However, other places may not have any requirements for the old license after delivering the new one to the driver. In other words, whether the old license needs to be returned or handed over to the vehicle management office during renewal depends on the local authorities. If the staff requests it, the old license must be surrendered; otherwise, it is not necessary. Renewing the driver's license is an effective means to ensure and improve the driving skills and awareness of vehicle owners. If a driver accumulates too many penalty points, reaching 12 points, the renewal process will be affected. For a C-class license, the validity period will not be upgraded (e.g., from 6 to 10 years or from 10 to permanent), maintaining the original duration. For AB-class licenses, the license will be downgraded. Additionally, drivers seeking to upgrade their license will temporarily lose eligibility if they have accumulated 12 penalty points in a year, requiring a waiting period of two to three years to offset the impact of the penalty points. Important Notes: In some regions, failure to surrender the old driver's license may result in the denial of a new one. If the local authorities do not require the return of the old license, drivers can dispose of it themselves, ensuring they do not mistakenly use the old one. Although the old license has an expiration date and is invalid, it still contains important personal information such as the driver's ID number, name, and address. If found by malicious individuals, this information could be misused. Therefore, it is advisable to destroy the old license even if local authorities do not require its return. When renewing the license online, drivers must resubmit a photo. If they wish to change the photo, they should avoid using selfies, as these are unlikely to pass the backend review. It is recommended to visit a professional photo studio for a 1-inch license renewal photo. If retouching is desired, the staff can adjust and crop the photo into an electronic version. The methods for receiving the new license include in-person pickup and mail delivery. For mail delivery, the driver must cover the shipping costs. If the license is not picked up in person within one month or if the mail is rejected, the driver will be blacklisted by the traffic management system, prohibiting them from handling related services online. Whether renewing the license online or in person, a medical examination is an essential step. To accommodate working professionals, many cities now offer self-service medical examination machines or halls, eliminating the need to queue at the vehicle management office, certified community hospitals, or tertiary hospitals as in the past.
