What to Do When the Driving License Validity Period Expires?
3 Answers
When the driving license expires, meaning the inspection of the driving license exceeds the validity period, the vehicle owner should promptly visit the local vehicle management office for a vehicle inspection. Otherwise, the vehicle will not be legally allowed on the road. Before the inspection, the owner must prepare all necessary materials, including the original motor vehicle driving license, ID card, and other required documents. How to check the driving license's validity period: 1. Driving License. Look at the driving license; the registration date at the bottom of the main page indicates the month for the vehicle's annual inspection, with the deadline being the last day of that month. Similarly, the duplicate copy of the driving license will have a printed note stating 'Inspection valid until XXXX year XX month,' and the inspection can be done up to three months in advance (including the inspection month). 2. Annual Inspection Label. On the white side of the annual inspection label, it prints 'Inspection valid until XXXX year XX month,' which is the final deadline month for the inspection. Again, this can be done up to three months in advance. 3. Compulsory Insurance Policy. The compulsory insurance policy includes the vehicle's registration date, similar to the first point, where the registration month is the month the vehicle requires inspection.
I was a bit stunned when I first realized my vehicle license had expired, but the process to renew it isn’t hard. First, stop driving to avoid being fined a few hundred yuan if checked by traffic police. Bring your ID card, vehicle registration certificate, and insurance policy to the local DMV, queue up to fill out forms and pay the fee—the whole process can be done in half a day if it’s quick. If your city supports online services, upload the required documents on the official website to apply for renewal and opt for mail delivery of the new license to save a trip. Never delay, as driving with an expired license could lead to insurers refusing accident claims, leaving you fully liable. I recommend setting a reminder on your phone calendar one or two months in advance to avoid forgetting. Keep your documents in a visible spot in the car for easy access—after this renewal, I’ve made it a habit.
The risks of driving with an expired vehicle license are no joke, and I speak from experience. Stop using the car immediately, or you could face fines and penalty points if pulled over – I've heard of people getting fined 500 yuan. Quickly gather your vehicle documents and insurance proof to renew at the DMV; usually, one workday is enough to handle it. During peak periods, make an appointment to skip long queues. Remember to verify the new license's dates to avoid missing annual inspection deadlines. After this lesson, I started using a car management app to track expiration dates – much more convenient. Delaying could lead to towing hassles and affect your annual inspection, so acting fast is crucial.
