What to Do If You Forget to Renew Your Driver's License?
2 Answers
If your driver's license has expired but it has not been more than one year, you can still go through the normal renewal procedures. However, if it has been more than one year, you will need to retake the subject one exam to regain your driver's license. Below are the relevant details: 1. According to Article 57 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," motor vehicle drivers should apply for a renewal at the vehicle management office where the license was issued or another authorized office within 90 days before the expiration of their driver's license. 2. When applying, you need to fill out an application form and submit the following documents: the identity proof of the motor vehicle driver; the original driver's license; and a medical condition certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution or a military medical institution at the regiment level or above. For those applying for a special small automatic passenger vehicle for the disabled, a medical condition certificate issued by a specialized medical institution designated by the provincial health authority must be submitted.
Last time my driver's license expired and I forgot to renew it, I was so busy that I almost got into trouble. Don't drive after it expires—driving without a valid license can result in fines and penalty points. Hurry to your local DMV. Bring your ID card, old driver's license, and a one-inch photo, and make sure to get your medical checkup done. If it's been less than a year since expiration, you can directly get a new one; if it's been over a year, you'll need to retake the theory test. On the day I went, I queued for two hours, filled out forms, and paid a small fee to get it done—using the appointment app saved a lot of time. Remember to regularly check the expiration date and set a phone reminder. Safe driving relies on having valid documents. Don't be like me and wait until it expires—small oversights can lead to big problems.
