Is the renewal date for a driver's license in advance a new one or an extension?
2 Answers
According to the "Driver's License Application and Use Regulations," you can apply for a license renewal within 3 months before the expiration date. The validity period of the renewed driver's license starts from the date of the initial issuance. However, the supplementary page will note the validity from the current issuance date to the initial issuance date. Additional information: According to Article 10 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," the following contents are recorded and noted on a motor vehicle driver's license: 1. Information of the motor vehicle driver: name, gender, date of birth, nationality, address, identification number (motor vehicle driver's license number), photo; 2. Contents noted by the vehicle management office: initial issuance date, permitted driving vehicle type code, validity period, issuing authority seal, file number.
Last time I renewed my driver's license early, I was curious about this and found out that the validity period of the new license starts from the expiration date of the old one, not from the day you renew it. For example, if the old license expires in 2025 and you renew it early in 2024, the new license will still be valid for 10 years starting from 2025, so no time is lost. The DMV said this rule is for fairness, to prevent everyone from renewing early out of fear of expiration and wasting resources. I remember that when renewing, you just need to bring your ID card, the old license, and a photo, and it should be done within 90 days in advance. Doing it too early can be troublesome, so it's recommended to handle it close to the deadline. This approach is quite reasonable—it saves people the hassle of calculating dates, and driving safety comes first.
