What are the penalties for being caught by traffic police with an expired driver's license?
4 Answers
If a driver is caught by traffic police driving with an expired driver's license, the traffic police will treat it as driving without a license. The driver will be fined by the traffic management department of the public security organ and may also face detention for up to 15 days.
Driving with an expired license that hasn't been renewed in time is a serious offense when caught by traffic police, equivalent to driving without a license, with severe consequences. According to traffic laws, even driving just one day after expiration can result in a minimum fine of 200 yuan, up to a maximum of 2,000 yuan, and even 15 days of detention—this is no joke. I know a friend who was too busy with work and forgot to renew his license. When caught three months after expiration, he was fined 1,000 yuan on the spot, and his car was impounded, causing several days of hassle to resolve. The severity of the penalty mainly depends on how long the license has been expired and whether any accidents occurred. Regardless, you must immediately visit the DMV to renew your license—if it's been over a year, you'll even have to retake the written test. I recommend downloading the 'Traffic Management 12123' app, which allows you to set renewal reminders and process the renewal up to 90 days in advance. Don’t wait until it expires!
Don't risk driving with an expired driver's license. I had a memorable experience with this situation. My license had been expired for over two months without me noticing, and when I was stopped by traffic police, it was treated as driving without a license. I was fined 500 yuan on the spot, and my car keys were confiscated. Many people unintentionally overlook this, even though renewing the license at the traffic management office is quite convenient—just bring your ID card and the old license, and take a medical examination photo. However, if you're caught with an expired license, you'll face serious consequences: not only will your car be impounded, but if you happen to be involved in an accident, the insurance company will definitely refuse to cover any losses, leaving you to bear all the costs, which is the worst part. That's why I've developed a habit of regularly checking my driver's license, especially when my C1 license is about to expire after six years. Always renew it in advance to save yourself from major trouble.
Driving with an expired license is absolutely not a trivial matter, which is why I'm particularly concerned about it. Typically, there are three levels of penalties: If caught within one year of expiration, you'll face a fine ranging from 200 to 1000 yuan, and most likely your vehicle will be impounded until you obtain a renewed license. For licenses expired between one to three years, the consequences are more severe—besides a hefty fine, you'll need to retake the written test (Subject 1) to reinstate your driving privileges. Exceeding three years results in complete license cancellation, requiring you to retake all driving tests from scratch. I highly recommend using online channels for hassle-free renewal—the "Traffic Management 12123" app lets you apply for license renewal in just three minutes, with optional community hospital appointments for medical checks. If you're truly pressed for time, it's wiser to avoid driving altogether—taking a taxi or public transport is far more cost-effective than getting caught.
