What to Do When a C1 Driver's License Expires?
3 Answers
If the driver's license has been expired for less than 12 months, it can be renewed as usual; if it has been expired for more than one year but less than 3 years, the holder must retake the subject one test to renew the license, and upon passing the test, the license can be obtained; if the expiration period exceeds three years, the holder must reapply for a driver's license. Below is relevant information about driver's licenses: 1. Required documents for driver's license renewal: (1) The identity proof of the motor vehicle driver; (2) The motor vehicle driver's license; (3) A medical certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution or a military medical institution at the regimental level or above. For those applying for a special small automatic transmission passenger vehicle for the disabled, a medical certificate issued by a specialized medical institution designated by the provincial health authority must be submitted. 2. Validity period of the driver's license: According to road traffic safety laws and regulations, the validity period of a motor vehicle driver's license is generally 6 years, and the driver should apply for renewal within 90 days before the expiration of the license.
I recently discovered that my C1 driver's license has expired, which made me a bit nervous since I haven’t been driving for long and this is my first time encountering such a situation. I checked official information and immediately stopped driving to avoid being caught driving without a valid license, which could result in fines or revocation. I brought my ID card, old driver's license, a one-inch photo, and a medical certificate (a simple vision and hearing check at the community hospital) to the DMV. The process went smoothly—since it had only been expired for six months, I was able to directly renew it, and it took just half a day to complete. The staff mentioned that if the license had been expired for over a year, I would have needed to retake the theory test (Subject 1), and if it had been over three years, I would have had to start from scratch. So, I recommend regularly checking the expiration date. Also, the DMV staff were helpful—just make sure to prepare all the required documents, and don’t delay too long for safety’s sake. I also plan to set a phone reminder for the next renewal date to avoid repeating the same mistake.
Handling an expired driver's license is actually not difficult. I've driven for many years and renewed my license several times. If you find it's expired, stop driving immediately. You can directly go to the DMV to renew it within a year, just bring your ID card, photos, and medical examination materials. The process is quick with hardly any queues. If it's expired for more than a year, you'll need to retake the written test (which is simple), but don't wait too long or you'll have to retake all the tests. Nowadays, the Traffic Management 12123 APP makes it convenient to schedule appointments and save time. Last time, I uploaded my info online, scheduled a time, and got it done with an on-site confirmation. The key is not to ignore it—driving without a license carries big risks: fines of hundreds or even thousands, and your car might be impounded. So I emphasize discovering and solving the issue early—make it a habit to check your license's expiration date to avoid trouble.
