What is the Difference Between Replacement and Renewal of a Driver's License?
2 Answers
Replacement: When a driver's license is lost, a new one needs to be issued. Article 63 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses": If a motor vehicle driver's license is lost, the motor vehicle driver shall apply for a replacement at the vehicle management office of the issuing authority or another vehicle management office outside the issuing authority. Renewal: The driver's license is not lost, but its validity period has expired, requiring a new license to be issued. Article 57 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses": A motor vehicle driver shall apply for a renewal at the vehicle management office of the issuing authority or another vehicle management office outside the issuing authority within 90 days before the expiration of the motor vehicle driver's license. Renewal: When a driver's license is about to expire, it must be renewed with a new one, which can be done up to 90 days in advance. Plan your time wisely to prevent expiration. Before renewal, check for any traffic violation records. If there are any, they must be cleared before renewal. Fill out the renewal application form and submit the following documents and proofs: Identity proof of the motor vehicle driver. The motor vehicle driver's license. A medical condition certificate issued by a county-level or military medical institution at the regiment level or above. Submit all documents and materials to the staff, pay the fee, and receive the new driver's license. Replacement: Apply for a replacement promptly. Otherwise, driving without a license may result in fines if caught by traffic police. Fill out the replacement application form and submit the following documents and proofs: Identity proof of the motor vehicle driver. A written statement declaring the loss of the motor vehicle driver's license. Submit all documents and materials to the staff. The process is usually completed on the spot. The difference between a replaced license and the original one lies in the barcode (also known as the license core code) on the back of the main copy: After replacement, the original driver's license becomes invalid and must not be used. If the original driver's license is used after obtaining a replacement, the old license will be confiscated by the traffic management department of the public security authority, and a warning or fine may be imposed. Replacement is for when the driver's license is lost, and a new one is issued to replace the original. Renewal is for when the driver's license is not lost, but its validity period has expired, requiring all information to be updated before a new one is issued.
A few days ago, my friend lost his car license and was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Naturally, he had to get it replaced. Simply put, replacement is for cases where the license is lost, damaged, or stolen—like if you misplace your driver's license, you need to rush to the DMV to get a new one. Renewal, on the other hand, is usually for when it expires, or if you want to upgrade the license type, such as switching from a C1 to a C2 automatic transmission license, or if your personal information changes, like a name change. The key difference lies in the reason: replacement is purely for unexpected fixes and might take extra time to file a loss report, while renewal is more like a planned update, with the DMV even sending text reminders before expiration. The costs are similar—both require bringing your ID and photos—but don’t delay, as driving without a valid license could lead to fines and penalty points. I now keep backup photos just in case. Regular car maintenance also includes checking document expiration dates to avoid last-minute panic. This issue often confuses people, but once you understand it, the process is quick and easy.
