What to Do If the Driver's License Has Not Been Renewed for Over Three Months?

[DeSebastian]

If the driver's license has not been renewed for over three months, it is temporarily invalid. During this period, the license cannot be used to drive on the road. If caught driving, the driver will be penalized for driving without a valid license. If the driver's license has expired, traffic police will impose a fine without deducting points. There is a deadline for renewing the license. If the license has expired for less than one year, it can be renewed through the normal process. If it has expired for one to three years, the license will be revoked, but the driver can retake the written test (Subject 1) to regain it. If it has expired for over three years, the license will be permanently revoked. Emergency remedies for a driver's license expired for three months: Traffic violation query and handling: If a traffic violation is not processed in time and exceeds the scoring cycle of the license, the violation will be carried over to the next scoring cycle. Unresolved violations may affect the renewal of the driver's license. Nearby medical examination: The medical examination for renewing or replacing a driver's license mainly checks for color blindness, limb functionality, and corrected vision. You can choose a self-service medical examination hall, a qualified tertiary hospital, or a community hospital nearby. The results will be uploaded to the traffic management system. License renewal at the vehicle management office: If the license has expired for three months, there is no special process; you can renew it normally. When applying, you must fill out an application form and submit the following documents: the driver's identity proof, the original driver's license, and a medical condition certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution (or a military hospital at the regimental level or above). For applicants of special small automatic passenger vehicles for the disabled, a medical condition certificate issued by a medical institution designated by the provincial health department is required. Documents required for renewing a driver's license: original and photocopy of ID card, a qualified medical examination report from a designated hospital, three one-inch white-background color photos, a completed driver's license renewal application form, and a processing fee. Photos and medical examination reports for renewal can be prepared by yourself. If you are worried about disqualification, you can complete these directly at the traffic police office to save time. Relevant matters for renewing an expired driver's license: About renewal: The vehicle management office will take back the old driver's license during renewal. Before renewal, all traffic violations must be resolved; otherwise, the application will not be accepted. You can renew your driver's license through the mobile app "Traffic Management 12123," the vehicle management office, or the public security authorities. Article 57 of the "Traffic Regulations and Penalty Points Rules": Drivers must apply for renewal at the vehicle management office where the license was issued or another office 90 days before the license expires.

[LeNathan]

I'm quite familiar with the situation of not renewing a driver's license for three months after it expires, because I was too busy with work recently and simply forgot, which almost caused trouble. Driving with an expired license is considered unlicensed driving. If caught by traffic police, not only is the fine high, but you'll also get demerit points, and insurance may not cover any claims—it's too risky. My advice is to avoid driving now and quickly take a taxi or bus to the local DMV. Generally, you'll need your original ID card, a medical examination report, the old driver's license, and a few photos to proceed. If it's been over a year since expiration, you might have to retake the written or road test. Don't find it troublesome—just go to the counter, fill out an application, and pay a small fee for the renewal. Most places process it within a few days. Remember to set a phone reminder 90 days in advance next time to renew on time—learn from my current habit to avoid repeating the mistake.