What to do if the driver's license has expired without renewal?
2 Answers
Methods for renewing an expired driver's license: The motor vehicle driver should bring the required materials and apply for renewal at the vehicle management office where the driver's license was originally issued. The vehicle management office will process the renewal within one working day upon approval. Required materials for renewal include two copies of the ID card, two 1-inch recent color photos without hats, the original ID card, the original driver's license, and a medical examination certificate from a county-level or above hospital. In addition to applying for renewal at the vehicle management office, you can also apply for renewal through the following methods: Renewal via the "Traffic Management 12123" APP. Download the "Traffic Management 12123" APP, then select Service Center -- Expired License Renewal Service -- Fill in the information. The new license is generally delivered by mail. Visit the "Police-Medical-Post" service point at a postal business hall to process the renewal. The entire process, from registration and medical examination to the production of the new license, takes only half an hour. Currently, only a few cities have opened this service, such as Hangzhou.
If your driver's license has expired without renewal, I recommend stopping driving immediately to avoid fines. I just dealt with this last month. Bring your ID card, old driver's license, and a 1-inch photo to the local vehicle management office for renewal. Don’t forget to get a physical exam beforehand, checking things like your eyesight. If it’s been expired for less than a year, you can usually get a new license directly for a fee of a few dozen yuan. But don’t delay—if it’s over a year, you might have to retake the written test. I recommend downloading a traffic management app to book an appointment in advance to avoid long queues. Also, take care of any traffic tickets promptly to prevent extra hassle. This might seem minor, but it’s crucial for daily travel safety. Don’t wait until you’re caught by traffic police—handle it early for peace of mind.
