Why is the driver's license still issued by the original authority after a cross-region renewal?
3 Answers
After renewing the driver's license in a different region, the issuing authority will be the new one. The issuing authority of the renewed driver's license is determined by the actual location where the renewal takes place. Overview: The full name of the driver's license is the motor vehicle driver's license, also known as the "driver's license." It is a certificate required by law for individuals who operate motor vehicles. Driving a motor vehicle requires certain driving skills, and those lacking such skills may cause traffic accidents if they drive without proper training. Driving without a license is prohibited. Notes: The permission to drive a vehicle is granted through the issuance of a driver's license. This indicates that obtaining a driver's license is a formal process that must be carried out by a designated authority.
I remember getting my driver's license renewed in Shanghai last year, but the issuing location still shows my hometown in Hunan. This is quite common—the license was originally issued by the initial authority, and the entire archival record is rooted there. Essentially, renewing it in a different location only updates routine information like the validity period and photo, while the backend system doesn't alter the issuing location to avoid data confusion and duplicate records. The traffic management authorities designed it this way to maintain the original affiliation, ensuring integrity during nationwide database queries. If the issuing location were arbitrarily changed, it could lead to errors when tracing accident histories or during renewal processes. Renewing it elsewhere is actually convenient for drivers who don't want to travel back to their original location, but the unchanged issuing location doesn't affect normal driving. Just carry on as usual—no need to worry.
I've been driving a taxi for over a decade and have renewed my license in various places countless times, but the issuing authority has always remained my hometown Henan. Why is that? Because the driver's license was originally issued there. Renewing it in a different location is like an upgraded version—only the validity period is updated or damage is repaired, while the fundamental issuing authority information remains unchanged. The traffic rules are set up this way for a simple reason: to maintain consistency in records and prevent new locations from making arbitrary changes that could cause confusion. The issuing authority marks the starting point of the records, and not changing it doesn't affect its use—points deduction and violation handling proceed as usual. Renewing the license elsewhere saves the hassle of traveling long distances, which is a clear benefit, but keeping the core records intact is the bottom line. As drivers, we just need to be aware of this.
