What to Do If Your Driver's License Expires and Is Not Renewed in Time?
3 Answers
If your driver's license has expired for less than one year, you can go to the vehicle management office with your expired driver's license, ID card, and a health certificate to complete the renewal procedure. If it has expired for more than one year but less than three years, you need to take the subject one exam, and upon passing, you can renew your license. If it has expired for more than three years, the driver's license will be automatically canceled, and you will need to re-enroll in a driving school to obtain a new one. Here are some important notes regarding driver's license usage: 1. Driver's licenses have an expiration date: A driver's license is only valid for driving legally if it is within its validity period. If your license has expired and you haven't renewed it, driving with it is considered illegal. 2. Avoid accumulating 12 penalty points within 12 months: A driver's license has 12 penalty points available within a 12-month period. Be sure to avoid accumulating all 12 points within this timeframe, as you will then need to attend a training session at the local vehicle management office and pass an exam. If you fail the exam, you must retake it until you pass before you can reclaim your license.
I experienced the situation of forgetting to renew my expired driver's license last month, and it's actually quite simple. The first thing is to stop driving immediately, otherwise the police may fine you between 200 to 500 RMB, and in serious cases, points may be deducted. At that time, I made an appointment with the local vehicle management office through a mobile app. I brought my ID card, two one-inch photos, and a medical examination certificate (just a simple check-up at a nearby hospital), filled out a form, paid the fee, and it was done. The whole process took less than two hours. The key is not to delay. A driver's license becomes invalid the day it expires, and continuing to drive is illegal, which not only affects road safety but also increases the risk of accidents. I recommend everyone to set a reminder in their phone calendar—safety comes first. If the license has been expired for over a year, you might have to retake the written test (Subject One), which would be even more troublesome.
As a frequent driver, let me tell you, if your driver's license has expired, get it renewed ASAP. First off, don't drive at all—head straight to the DMV or check the renewal process online. When I handled mine, it was simple: prepare a copy of your ID and recent photos. If it's been less than a year, you can usually renew directly, just pay a small fee and fill out an application. If it's expired for too long, say over six months, you might need an eye exam or other checks. Bring some spare change, and don't try to save time by driving there—you're just asking for trouble. Nowadays, many places have self-service kiosks or WeChat processing, saving you queue time. Overall, it's a small thing, but delaying it carries big risks, like insurance possibly not covering accidents and making roads less safe.
