What is the process for downgrading and renewing a driver's license?

[DanteAnn]

Procedure: The motor vehicle driver or agent shall bring the required materials to the window of the vehicle management office branch or the driver's license management window of the traffic police detachment (brigade) in each district (county) for processing. If applying for a voluntary downgrade of the permitted driving model and license renewal at a vehicle management office other than the issuing place of the motor vehicle driver's license, the transfer procedures shall be completed according to regulations. Materials required: "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form". Identity proof and copy of the motor vehicle driver. Motor vehicle driver's license. Motor vehicle driver's license photo. If simultaneously applying for renewal upon expiration, submit the "Motor Vehicle Driver's Physical Condition Certificate". Two recent half-length, bareheaded, front-facing white-background color ID photos (submit the digital photo collection receipt if required locally). If applying for a voluntary downgrade of the permitted driving model and license renewal at a vehicle management office other than the issuing place of the motor vehicle driver's license, the transfer procedures shall be completed according to regulations, and the original "Motor Vehicle Driver's Health Condition Declaration Form" shall be submitted. For proxy applications, a power of attorney and the agent's identity proof and copy shall also be submitted. Drivers holding licenses for large buses, tractors, city buses, medium buses, or large trucks shall have their highest permitted driving model qualification revoked by the vehicle management office under any of the following circumstances, and the motor vehicle driver shall be notified to complete the downgrade and renewal procedures within 30 days: Being involved in a traffic accident causing death and bearing equal or greater responsibility without constituting a crime. Having a record of 12 penalty points in one scoring cycle. Failing to participate in the inspection for three consecutive scoring cycles. If the motor vehicle driver fails to complete the downgrade and renewal procedures within the specified time, the vehicle management office shall announce the revocation of the permitted driving model qualification. After completing the downgrade and renewal procedures, if the motor vehicle driver applies to reinstate the revoked permitted driving model, they must have no record of 12 penalty points in the current and the most recent scoring cycle before application, and no traffic accidents causing death with equal or greater responsibility. Procedure for revoking the highest permitted driving model and completing the downgrade and renewal: After passing the relevant examination, receive the "Motor Vehicle Driver's Illegal Full Score Examination Information Feedback Notice" (for Class A and B licenses, downgrade information shall be noted on the notice). After the suspension period ends, bring the ID card and the "Motor Vehicle Driver's Illegal Full Score Examination Information Feedback Notice" to the traffic police team where the license was suspended to retrieve the driver's license. Bring the following materials to the issuing vehicle management office to complete the downgrade and renewal procedures (if there are no pending traffic violations, the process will be completed within one working day): Original "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form". Original identity proof and copy of the motor vehicle driver. Original motor vehicle driver's license. Two recent half-length, bareheaded, front-facing white-background color ID photos (submit the digital photo collection receipt if required locally). For iOS 15 and above, Traffic Management 12123 (V2.8.1B437), and Android 12 and above, Traffic Management 12123 (V2.8.1B274), the license renewal upon expiration can be processed: After logging into the "Traffic Management 12123" APP, go to [More] - [Business Center] - [Renew Driver's License Upon Expiration] to enter the renewal process. After carefully reading the renewal business instructions, you can click [Read and Agree], confirm the user declaration content, and enter the driver information confirmation page, including name, driver's license number, expiration date, etc. You can choose between self-pickup or mailing. For self-pickup, select a pickup location; for mailing, fill in the delivery address. For those choosing self-pickup, they must go to the designated service location to collect the new driver's license in person.

[DanielaLee]

Last year, I helped my father with his driver's license downgrade. I remember we had to prepare his original ID card and old driver's license first, and also get a medical examination certificate from a county-level or above hospital—make sure to go to one of the designated hospitals to avoid mistakes. At the vehicle management office, we had to take a number and wait in line, then fill out an 'Application Form for Motor Vehicle Driver's License.' Don’t forget to bring two one-inch white-background photos or take them on-site. When submitting the form, the staff checked the materials and had him sign to confirm the downgraded vehicle type. The fee was just 10 yuan. We got the new license in about half an hour. Now, my father enjoys driving his small car, but it's important to note that after the downgrade, he can no longer drive large trucks—something to consider beforehand. No exam was required for the whole process, but the key was that he had to be present in person to sign.

[AllisonAnn]

Last month, I just completed the downgrade procedure for my dad, and the process was simpler than expected: First, bring the ID card and the old driver's license. Second, go to the hospital for a driver's physical examination (both vision and hearing must be checked). Third, head straight to the DMV to get a number. When submitting materials at the window, make sure to confirm the downgrade type—for example, downgrading from an A license to a C license means you can't drive large trucks. Filling out forms, taking photos, and paying fees are all done in one go, costing just ten yuan. Important reminder: If there are any unresolved violations or the license has accumulated 12 penalty points, they must be handled first before proceeding. The entire process takes no more than two hours, and the new license can be issued on the spot. Just make sure to go early to avoid peak hours.

[LeoFitz]

According to a friend at the vehicle management office, the core process of downgrading a driver's license consists of three steps: medical examination, application, and receiving the new license. You must personally bring your ID card and driver's license to a designated hospital for a medical check-up and obtain a qualified medical report. Then, go to the vehicle management office to fill out an application form, selecting the vehicle class you wish to downgrade to. After paying a 10-yuan fee for the new license, take a new photo, and your license will be produced on the spot. Three key points to note: you must be present in person to sign; applications will not be accepted if there are unresolved accidents linked to your original license; and an expired medical examination is invalid. The whole process is similar to renewing a license, with the key difference being that you actively apply for a downgrade—for example, downgrading from C1D to C1 means you can no longer ride motorcycles.

[DeAubrey]

I experienced voluntary license downgrade due to hypertension: Book DMV appointment in advance to skip queues, bring driver's license and ID directly to medical checkup department, get report after examination. Key point when filling application is checking the downgrade option - like giving up truck driving eligibility when downgrading from B2 to C1. At the counter, additionally request and sign a "Downgrade Confirmation Form". The 10-yuan fee accepts mobile payment, wear dark clothes for photo to look sharper. The whole process takes 30 minutes, but post-downgrade vehicle restrictions are significant - like me losing side hustle opportunities driving small trucks for Lalamove. Reminder: Don't fold the medical report or you'll need re-examination.

[DelNatalie]

Last time I saw my neighbor downgrade their license: First, they went to the hospital for a driving medical exam (around 40 yuan), focusing on vision and reaction tests. At the DMV, they filled out a form specifying the reason, such as being over 60 or voluntarily downgrading. When handing in the old license, the staff would cut a corner to invalidate it and issue a new one indicating the downgraded vehicle type. The process is simple but requires attention to details: settle all traffic violations in advance; wear dark-colored clothes for the photo; prepare small change as only cash is accepted for fees. Retaking the higher-level license after downgrading is troublesome, so think carefully before proceeding. After receiving the new license, double-check the information, especially the permitted vehicle types, to avoid errors.