What to Do If Your Driver's License Has Expired and Not Been Renewed?
4 Answers
Article 57 of the "Traffic Regulations and Penalty Points Rules": Motor vehicle drivers should apply for license renewal at the vehicle management office of the license issuing location or elsewhere within 90 days before the expiration of their motor vehicle driver's license. If the driver's license has expired, traffic police will impose a fine upon discovery, but no penalty points will be deducted. There is a latest deadline for license renewal. 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 you can regain it by passing the subject one exam; if it has expired for more than three years, the license will be revoked. Remedial measures for overdue license renewal: Stop driving on the road: Avoid being penalized for driving without a license. Handle traffic violations: Go to the vehicle management office or traffic police station to complete this. Undergo a nearby medical examination: The main checks include color blindness identification, limb health, and corrected vision. You can choose the medical examination hall at the vehicle management office, manual examination rooms, community hospitals (with medical examination qualifications), or convenient medical examination service stations. The results will be uploaded to the traffic management system. If the license has expired for more than one year, you will also need to prepare for the subject one exam. Before preparing, report to the vehicle management office, explain the situation to the staff, and then schedule the subject one exam. When applying, you should fill out an application form and submit the following documents: the identity proof of the motor vehicle driver, the motor vehicle driver's license, and a medical condition certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution or a military regiment-level or higher medical unit. 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. Materials required for license renewal: original ID card and its copy, a qualified medical examination form from a hospital designated by the vehicle management office, three one-inch white-background color photos, a completed license renewal application form, and the processing fee. Photos and medical examination certificates required for renewal can be brought by yourself. If you are worried about them being unqualified, you can handle them directly at the traffic police station's license office to save time. Relevant matters for renewing an expired driver's license: About renewal: For annual review and renewal of an expired driver's license, the old license must be surrendered to the vehicle management office. Before renewal, all related traffic violations must be handled; otherwise, the application will not be accepted. Renewal of a motor vehicle driver's license can be done through the mobile app "Traffic Management 12123," the vehicle management office, or the public security authorities, effectively renewing the motor vehicle driver's license.
Oh, I just realized my driver's license had been expired for a month. That day I rushed to the DMV immediately, and the staff told me that if it's expired for less than a year, the renewal process is relatively simple—just need to submit a health check report and photos, then get a new license on the spot. Remember to bring your ID card and the old driver's license photo. The process was quite quick. If it's expired for more than one year but less than three years, you'll have to retake the theoretical exam (Subject 1), which is more troublesome. I suggest you go and handle this matter right away—never drive without a valid license. If caught driving without a license, you could be fined 200 RMB and have your vehicle impounded, or even face serious consequences like being detained. Handling it early saves money and gives peace of mind, avoiding disruptions to your daily commute. It's best to check the local DMV address in advance or make an online appointment, and go when there are fewer people to save time.
Haha, I forgot to renew my license last year too. It was overdue by two weeks, and I almost got checked by traffic police while driving that day. I panicked and immediately parked by the roadside to take a taxi to the DMV. Simply put, you need to bring your ID card, old license, and a medical certificate (just get a quick check-up at any hospital). If it's less than a year overdue, you can basically get a new one directly. Beyond that period, you'll have to retake the exams. A friend of mine was three years overdue and ended up having to retake all the tests from scratch—what a hassle. Don’t delay; go get it renewed to avoid fines, and while you're at it, check your vision and other things to ensure safety. I usually use a mobile app to check the renewal process—it’s very convenient.
As the most experienced driver in my family, don't panic if your driver's license expires—stop driving immediately and visit the DMV. Bring your ID, passport photos, and a medical examination form. If the expiration is less than a year, renewal is straightforward; if longer, you might need a theory test. Driving without a license carries significant risks, including fines of 200-2,000 RMB and potential liability in accidents. It's best to resolve it early to protect yourself and your family.
