What is the maximum time limit for obtaining a driver's license?
3 Answers
The maximum time limit for obtaining a driver's license is three years. According to Article 38 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses": The validity period of the driving skill examination permit is three years. This means that candidates must complete all subject examinations within three years. After passing Subject 1, a driving skill examination permit will be issued. The subsequent exams include Subject 2, Subject 3, and Subject 4, as detailed below: Subject 2, also known as the small road test, is the field driving skill examination. The test content includes reversing into a parking space, stopping and starting on a slope, turning at a right angle, driving along a curve, and parallel parking. The full score is 100, with a passing score of 80 or above. Subject 3, also known as the large road test, is the road driving skill examination. The test content includes: preparing to start, driving straight, changing lanes, passing intersections, pulling over, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and driving at night. The full score is 100, with a passing score of 90 or above. Subject 4 covers safe and civilized driving requirements, safe driving knowledge under adverse weather and complex road conditions, emergency handling methods such as tire blowouts, and post-accident handling knowledge. If 12 points (6 questions) are answered incorrectly during the test, the exam will be terminated. If a candidate fails to pass all exams within three years, their results will be invalidated, and they will need to start over. Previously passed subjects will also be invalidated. If the time limit is not met, an extension cannot be applied for. The public security department will cancel the candidate's relevant student status, and they will only be able to restart the training process. Regarding driver's license exam regulations: Each subject can be taken once, with one retake allowed if failed. If the retake is not taken or is also failed, the exam will be terminated, and the applicant must reschedule the exam. Exam scheduling: Subject 2 and Subject 3 exams can be rescheduled after ten days. Within the validity period of the learning driving permit, the number of rescheduling attempts for Subject 2 and Subject 3 road driving skill exams must not exceed five.
I paid special attention to this issue right after getting my driver's license. According to our country's regulations, the validity period starts from the day you pass the subject one exam and lasts for exactly three years. That's quite a long cycle, isn't it? But you need to arrange driving practice and exams promptly, because if you don't complete subject two and subject three within three years, all previously passed results will become invalid. I have a friend who waited until the last two months to take subject three, almost losing all previous efforts. Another thing to note is that you can schedule subject two and subject three exams up to five times in total, with a mandatory 10-day waiting period after each failure before rebooking. Don't stretch these three years too tight. If it really expires, you'll have to pay the registration fee again and start over from subject one - just thinking about it gives me a headache. So after getting your driving test certificate, I suggest planning your practice schedule as soon as possible to not waste this precious time.
During my driver's license test, the instructor repeatedly emphasized the time limit. The entire driving test process has a maximum duration of three years, which starts counting down from the day you pass the theoretical exam. Many people think they have plenty of time, but end up struggling to balance work and practice sessions later on. I remember one student who waited until two and a half years had passed before starting to practice for Subject 2, failed three times in a row, and by the time of the final retake, the deadline had already passed. The worst part is that the results of Subject 1 also get reset, meaning you have to pay thousands of yuan in registration fees again. Another thing to note is the situation of taking the test in a different location: for example, if you registered in your hometown but later moved to another city for work, you'd have to travel back for each test, which is a huge time waster. So my advice is to try to complete everything within a year and a half, leaving some buffer time for yourself. Driving schools usually remind you when your deadline is approaching, but you need to be even more proactive about it.
