What are the consequences of not renewing a driver's license after 6 years?
3 Answers
If a driver's license is not renewed after 6 years, it will be completely revoked, and the driver must retake the driving test to drive again. Time regulations: If the license is expired for less than a year, it can be renewed normally; if expired for more than one year but less than three years, the license will be revoked, but it can be renewed by passing the subject one test; if expired for more than three years, the license will be invalid and cannot be renewed. Penalties for driving with an expired license: Driving a motor vehicle during the expiration period is prohibited and may be treated as driving without a license. If the license is expired for less than a year, the driver can renew it at any time, but driving on the road will result in a fine of 200 yuan. If the license is expired for more than one year without renewal, the traffic management department will revoke it. If the expiration period is less than three years, the driver must retake and pass the subject one test to restore driving privileges. Driving during this period may result in a fine ranging from 200 to 2000 yuan. If the license is expired for more than three years, it will be completely revoked, and the driver must retake the driving test to drive again. Otherwise, driving on the road will be treated as driving without a license, resulting in a fine of 2000 yuan and administrative detention for up to 15 days.
If you don't renew your driver's license after six years, the consequences can be severe. Having driven for over a decade, I know this is not something to take lightly. Once your license expires, it's equivalent to driving without a license. If caught by traffic police, you'll face a minimum fine of 1,000 RMB, and in serious cases, your vehicle may be impounded or you could even be detained. In the event of an accident—whether it's a rear-end collision or hitting a pedestrian—insurance companies will absolutely refuse to cover the damages, leaving you fully liable. The financial burden could be crippling. I know a guy who neglected to renew his license and ended up paying tens of thousands for a minor scrape. Renewing now is also a hassle: you'll have to retake the written exam and undergo a full medical checkup, which is both time-consuming and costly. It can also tarnish your credit record, leading to higher car insurance premiums and even making it harder to rent a vehicle. Safe driving starts with having all your documents in order—this should be a top priority.
My driver's license has been expired for six years without renewal, and I feel it's too risky for daily driving. I commute to work by car every day, and what I fear most is getting into an accident. Driving with an invalid license is illegal. If you get into any trouble, the police will definitely investigate thoroughly, ranging from fines to point deductions. More importantly, if an accident occurs, the other party's full responsibility could turn into your full responsibility, and the insurance company might take the opportunity to evade liability, leaving you to bear all the medical and repair costs. I once heard from a friend that his father had to pay a huge sum for a minor accident on the highway because he didn't notice his license had expired. Now, if I want to renew it, the process is cumbersome: I need to prepare a photo receipt, submit a medical report, and if I forget any documents, I might have to make multiple trips. Driving is supposed to be for peace of mind, so it's better not to drive at all with an expired license.
