What are the time regulations for driver's license renewal?
3 Answers
The time regulations for driver's license renewal are as follows: If the license has expired for less than one year, it can be renewed normally; if it has expired for more than one year but less than three years, the license will be canceled, but it can be renewed by passing the subject one exam; if it has expired for more than three years, the license will be void and cannot be renewed. Renewal and inspection must meet the following conditions: The holder of a large passenger vehicle, tractor, city bus, medium passenger vehicle, or large truck driver's license has no demerit points in the current scoring cycle, or the holder of other types of driver's licenses has less than 12 demerit points in the current scoring cycle; The holder of a large passenger vehicle, tractor, city bus, medium passenger vehicle, or large truck driver's license has demerit points in one scoring cycle, or the holder of other types of driver's licenses who caused a traffic accident resulting in death and bears equal or greater responsibility but has not had their driver's license revoked, has 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 requirements; The motor vehicle driver's license is not under circumstances of being seized, detained, suspended, revoked, canceled, or annulled by law.
When I last renewed my driver's license, I learned that China requires applying for a new license within 90 days before the expiration date. As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I now pay more attention to regular health check-ups because the license renewal requires a medical report proving normal vision, hearing, etc. Two months before the expiration last year, I scheduled a hospital check-up, obtained the report, and went to the DMV. Although the queue took some time, everything went smoothly. If you fail to renew on time, the driver's license will become invalid. Getting caught driving with an expired license may result in fines and demerit points, and in severe cases, you might even have to retake the theory or road test, which is not worth the trouble. I recommend every driver set a date reminder on their phone or use the notification feature on the traffic management department's app. Additionally, the older you get, the more you should pay attention to health changes, as safe driving concerns both yourself and others. Developing a habit of regular vehicle maintenance can also reduce hazards on the road.
As a new driver who just got my license, I didn't realize the importance of the time regulations until my first license renewal. China requires submitting the application 90 days before the expiration date of the driver's license—never wait until the last minute. I received an automatic reminder through the 12123 APP, which was very convenient. I filled out the form online, uploaded my photo and ID card scan, and after approval, I went to the designated location to pick up my new license. The whole process was efficient and convenient, perfect for our younger generation embracing digital life. I passed the medical check-up easily, but a reminder: playing with your phone and staying up late can affect your vision, so get tested early to be safe. The worst part of missing the renewal deadline is encountering a roadside check—an invalid license could lead to a one-month suspension or even require retaking the test, which is a huge hassle. I recommend sharing schedules with your driving buddies to keep each other accountable and avoid missing deadlines! By the way, the APP now also lets you check traffic violation records, so you can handle everything at once for convenience.
