Which validity period applies when combining two driver's licenses into one?

[JohnRose]

The highest permitted vehicle category recorded on the driver's license serves as the standard for processing the combination. Below is expanded information regarding expired licenses: 1. Expired or revoked driver's license: Although the validity period is indicated on the inner pages of the license, many people overlook it. If the license has been expired for less than 1 year, the holder only needs to submit required materials to the vehicle management office within 1 year of expiration to obtain a new license. 2. Driving with an expired license: Drivers who operate motor vehicles with an expired license commit an illegal act and will face fines. Driving after the license has been revoked may result in fines and potential administrative detention.

[DeBraxton]

I remember when I helped my brother with his driver's license consolidation last year, I specifically consulted the traffic police. They told me the validity period is calculated based on the earlier expiration date of the two licenses. For example, if your motorcycle license expires in 2025 and your car license expires in 2027, the new consolidated license will follow the 2025 expiration date. This setup is mainly to ensure all permitted vehicle types remain valid. I recommend checking both old licenses to compare which one expires first. You can also check the detailed dates on the Traffic Management 12123 App. If you notice it's about to expire, remember to renew it 90 days in advance—don't end up like my neighbor who had to retake the written test because it expired.

[VanStephanie]

When I accompanied my friend to the DMV to handle this matter, the staff mentioned that after merging driver's licenses, the validity period is determined by the earliest expiring original license. For example, if your C license expires in 2026 and your E license expires in 2024, the merged C1E license will be valid until 2024. This rule is designed to uniformly manage all driving qualifications and avoid situations where some vehicle category permits expire. I recommend setting an expiration reminder in your phone's memo immediately after merging, as the shortened validity period can be easy to forget. Last time, my colleague was fined 200 yuan for exceeding the expiration date.

[AryaRose]

I specifically asked this question when renewing my license, and the DMV counter clearly stated that the validity period is calculated based on the earlier expiration date of the two licenses. For example, if your car driver's license expires in 2030 and your motorcycle license expires in 2028, the new combined license will have an expiration date of 2028. This design is very reasonable, ensuring that all permitted vehicle types remain valid simultaneously. It's recommended to keep a copy of your original driver's license for easy date comparison. Usually, the old license is taken away after renewal, so taking a photo and saving it on your phone in advance is the safest option.

[LeMartin]

Last time at the driving school, the instructor mentioned this: After merging the two licenses, the validity period follows the earlier expiration date of the two. Simply put, whichever old license expires first, the new one will expire on that same date. I noticed many people overlook this. For example, my cousin’s motorcycle license expires in 2025, and his car license in 2030. After merging, he thought he had five years left, but in reality, he’ll need to renew next year. I recommend checking the dates as soon as you get your new license. You can find the exact validity period on the 12123 APP.