What are the penalties for an expired driving license?
Recently, the issue of penalties for expired driving licenses has become a hot topic, with many car owners facing penalties due to negligence in causing their driving licenses to expire. This article will introduce in detail the penalties, handling procedures and precautions for expired driving licenses to help car owners avoid unnecessary trouble.
1. Penalties for expired driving licenses

According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" and related regulations, it is illegal to continue to drive a vehicle after the driving license has expired, and you will face the following penalties:
| Illegal behavior | Punishment measures | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Continue driving after your driving license expires | Fine 200 yuan and 1 point deducted | Article 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law |
| The driving license has expired for more than 1 year and has not been renewed. | The vehicle may be temporarily impounded and reissue procedures are required. | Article 56 of "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations" |
2. Processing process for expired driving license
If it is found that the driving license has expired, the car owner should promptly go through the procedures for renewing the license. The specific process is as follows:
| steps | Specific operations |
|---|---|
| 1. Prepare materials | ID card, expired driving license, vehicle photo, compulsory traffic insurance policy |
| 2. Vehicle inspection | Go to the inspection station for vehicle safety technical inspection |
| 3. Submit application | Submit an application for license renewal at the vehicle management office or online platform |
| 4. Pay fees | Pay the cost of certificate replacement and testing fees |
| 5. Get a new certificate | Get a new driving license |
3. Precautions
1.Regularly check the validity period of driving license: The driving license is usually valid for 10 years, and car owners should go through the license renewal procedures 3 months in advance.
2.Avoid driving expired vehicles: Continuing to drive a vehicle after the driving license has expired will not only be punished, but may also affect insurance claims.
3.Changing certificate in another place: At present, remote license renewal has been implemented across the country, and car owners can apply for it at any vehicle management office.
4.Online processing: Some cities support online license renewal, and car owners can submit applications through the traffic control 12123 APP.
4. Recent hot cases
Recently, traffic police in a certain place discovered many cases of expired driving licenses during routine inspections. One of the vehicle owners had his vehicle temporarily impounded and fined because his driving license had expired for one year and had not been renewed. The traffic police reminded that expired driving licenses are a common but easily overlooked problem, and car owners should check the validity period of their licenses regularly.
5. Summary
An expired driving license may seem like a small matter, but it may bring unnecessary penalties and trouble. Car owners should develop a good habit of checking their certificates regularly and go through the certificate replacement procedures in a timely manner to ensure they are on the road legally. If your driving license expires, please follow the above process to deal with it as soon as possible to avoid affecting normal use of the car.
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