What materials are needed to renew a driver's license? What to do if it's expired?
3 Answers
Go to the vehicle management office to collect the driver's license and fill out the driver's license application form, which should be posted at the vehicle management office. The motor vehicle driver should bring the original motor vehicle driver's license, physical condition certificate, and motor vehicle driver's license application form.
I usually commute to work by car and have gone through the process of renewing my driver's license a few times. The required materials are quite simple: the original ID card and its photocopy, your current driver's license, and a medical examination certificate from a designated hospital, mainly checking if your vision and physical condition meet the standards. Also, bring a few one-inch white background photos. Don't underestimate the consequences of an expired license. If it's been expired for less than a year, you can still quickly go to the vehicle management office to renew it. However, if it's been expired for more than a year, say a year and a half, you'll need to retake the theoretical exam (Subject 1) before you can renew it. If it's been expired for too long, like over three years, you'll have to start from scratch and retake all the exams, just like a beginner, which is both troublesome and costly. I recommend setting a calendar reminder to get it done a month before expiration to avoid affecting your daily driving. Safety first—keeping your license valid helps prevent accidents on the road.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, just remember to bring your ID card, driver's license, medical examination form, and photos for license renewal. The medical check must be done at a hospital or designated institution, and the photos should be taken according to the requirements of the DMV. For overdue renewal: if it's just a short-term delay (within a year), you can usually just make up for it. However, if it's been longer, say one or two years, you might need to take a theory test to prove you still remember the rules. If left unattended for too long, you may have to retake all the tests, which is time-consuming. Last time, I was fined and penalized for being overdue by just a few days, but fortunately, I remedied it in time. Develop a habit of regularly checking your license expiration date. You can make an appointment through the DMV app—it's convenient, fast, and won’t disrupt your life.
