What to Do If the Driver's License Has Passed the Annual Review Deadline?
4 Answers
If there are any demerit records during the current scoring cycle, you must participate in the review at the local Vehicle Management Office where the license was issued within 30 days after the end of the current scoring cycle. If there are no demerit records, you can be exempted from the review for the current cycle. The scoring cycle starts from the date of the initial license issuance, with each year constituting one cycle. If the review is overdue for one to three years, you need to apply for a supplementary review and complete the relevant procedures at the Vehicle Management Office first. If the review has not been conducted for more than three years, the license will be downgraded to a C1 driver's license, and you will need to handle the matter with the traffic management department.
Last year, I forgot to renew my driver's license on time and was nearly two weeks late. I was driving in constant fear of being stopped by traffic police. I rushed to the local DMV to get it sorted—waited in line for two hours, paid over 100 yuan in fines, and just needed to redo a medical check. The staff warned me that if delayed too long, I might have to retake the written test or even have my license suspended. I also heard about a friend who got fined and penalized points after being caught with an expired license, and insurance wouldn’t cover any accidents. Since then, I’ve set a reminder alarm on my phone to check the date a month early every year. Safe driving isn’t just about skill—having all your documents in order is key to peace of mind on the road. Don’t procrastinate; handle it promptly to avoid bigger headaches and stay hassle-free and safe.
When chatting with car owners at the shop, the issue of expired driver's license renewal often comes up. Once the deadline passes, don't drive—immediately bring your ID and old license to the DMV for processing. Typically, the fine ranges from tens to hundreds of yuan, and you can renew it after submitting a medical report. A short delay might be manageable, but postponing it for months could lead to additional tests or training. Forgetting to renew for a long time might even result in revocation, which would be a huge loss. I've seen cases where invalid documents worsened accident liabilities during repairs, leaving people to pay out of pocket. My advice: don't skip your annual medical check-up, set a year-end reminder, and handle minor issues promptly to avoid future troubles. Safety first—keeping your documents legal ensures peace of mind on the road.
I just got my driver's license a year ago and actually forgot the annual review deadline, panicking for over a week after it expired. Quickly checked the process online, rushed to the DMV to pay a small fine, and got a medical check-up done—that settled it. A friend mentioned that delays could lead to point deductions or even retaking the test, but luckily I acted fast. Now I've developed a habit of checking my documents monthly to ensure worry-free driving. Small oversights can lead to big troubles—timely annual reviews are basic safety rules.
