Your driver's license is about to expire: what to do, when and how to change it. What to do if your driver's license has expired
Just like a passport, they have their own validity period. Usually it is ten years. The document is considered invalid immediately after the driver's license expires. We will explain what to do in this case and how to replace it later in the article.
What to do?
The legislation establishes specific deadlines during which the document is changed. By the way, this should be done not only by our compatriots, but also by citizens of other states who have received driver’s licenses. In their case, depending on the length of stay in the Russian Federation, the deadline for the expiration of the driver’s license is also established.
What to do in such a situation? It is necessary to go through the testing procedure and change the document to a new one. This is carried out in specialized departments of the automobile inspection. The applicant has the right to choose the nearest territorial point located near the place of registration or actual residence.
Let's take a closer look at what to do if your driver's license expires and clarify the basic rules and requirements for this process.
Where to change?
The driver first contacts the traffic police department, which is authorized to change documents. The corresponding units are located in all regions of the country. They have a single database. One subject of the Russian Federation may even have several such departments.
It is important to remember that the place where the driver initially received his license or changed it is not of fundamental importance. There is no connection to the place where the person is registered. A citizen of the Russian Federation can receive the service at any traffic police department authorized to carry out such actions. The main thing is that all the requirements necessary for replacement must be met.
An exception to this is provided only for foreigners and stateless persons. They have a special legal status, so replacement is possible for them only at their place of residence.
This rule can be found in the third paragraph of the rules governing the issuance of driver’s licenses.
Validity
So, according to the law, a driver’s license expires after ten years. You know what to do in this regard, and therefore you will be vigilant, since after the date indicated in them, the rights are considered invalid and they need to be replaced.
But there are cases when the certificate loses its validity earlier than the period prescribed by law. This occurs in the following situations:
- the driver’s personal data has changed;
- facts of providing false documents with which the rights were obtained were revealed;
- the ID is not readable;
- a document has been lost or stolen;
- there is a change in medical condition.
All of the above points are the answer to the question: “If your driver’s license has not expired, what should you do?” Of course, draw up a new document. Its effect for ten years is possible only when the above-mentioned circumstances are absent. 
In addition to national standard ones, international certificates can also be issued upon request. They are valid for three years, and then only if the driver’s license does not expire. When it is required to change it earlier, then the international license is limited to this period.
List of required documents for this year
Before considering the procedure for applying to the authorities, the applicant must prepare a number of documents. And if the machine is used daily, there is no point in waiting for the expiration date. It is advisable to start preparing all the necessary documents in advance.
We provide a list of documents that should be submitted to the relevant traffic police department:
- statement;
- passport;
- registration information;
- certificate No. 083/U-89;
- driver's card;
- previous ID;
- certificate from the traffic police;
- photo;
- receipt of payment of state duty.
Required documents for exchanging IDs
Now let's look at each of the items on the list.
The application is written by hand in person. His form is taken from the traffic police department where they are going to change the license. The application must indicate personal data (from the passport), as well as the basis for replacing the rights. The reverse side is filled out by the official.
You must present your passport and a copy of it. Naturally, the document must be valid.
Registration information is usually found in the passport. However, if the driver does not have permanent registration, then a certificate of registration is required.
The medical report confirmed in the above certificate indicates that the citizen does not have any diseases that would prevent him from driving a vehicle. Its validity period varies. For people under 55 it is valid for three years, and for those older - two years. If drivers have health restrictions, the document is valid for one year. Therefore, when replacing rights, you have to be examined again. But if it is required on the basis of a change in personal data, damage to a document or its loss, then the said certificate is no longer required.
A driver's card is a document confirming training in the automotive industry. It contains information about the organization, the number of hours spent on practical and theoretical training, and confirmation that its owner has completed training. However, this document is only required for those who completed training before 2013.
The old driver's license is presented for subsequent destruction.
The certificate from the traffic police must contain confirming information that you can drive a car and have not previously been deprived of such a right.
Sometimes you need to bring 3 photographs (3 x 4, matte) with you. But in many traffic police departments they take photographs on the spot.
Payment of state duty is also required. Details for this can be found on the traffic police website or obtained from a specific department. You can pay for it via the Internet, any terminal or at Sberbank. Usually, after payment, information about it is automatically entered into the database. But it’s better to take the paid receipt with you and present it along with the entire package of documents.
Mandatory and additional documents
In order not to think when your driver’s license expires: “What to do?”, remember certain rules. The replacement requires you to have with you an identification document of the bearer, a driver’s card (for those who received a license before 2013), a medical certificate, a state fee and a personal statement.
Some departments request photographs, as well as certificates confirming that the driver has not received a court decision to remove him from driving a vehicle.
It is best to find the department you are going to contact on the official website of the traffic police, and not decide when your driver’s license expires, what to do next, but study and prepare a list of documents required for presentation. Today, departments are equipped with systems of interdepartmental interaction, due to which inspectors can obtain the necessary information, therefore, as a rule, additional documents are not required.
Basically, when a driver’s license expires, it’s easy to figure out how to change it. 
Renewal procedure
In 2016, the exchange or renewal of certificates remained the same. The interested person contacts the traffic police. Obtaining new rights occurs on the same day, provided that the applicant submits all the necessary documents and due to the fact that he has What to do next is clear - carefully check all the data that appears in the documents and the certificate so as not to redo it again and don't waste any more time.
A few more nuances
Some drivers are tormented by the question of when their driver’s license expires: “What should I do, do I need to take the exam again?” No, you do not need to re-confirm your knowledge of traffic rules.
Another burning question: “Is it possible to change my ID in advance?” Currently, replacing a document is only possible on the day the driver’s license expires. What if, for example, the day falls on a holiday? Come later. However, you cannot drive a car with an expired document. Of course, this is not very convenient, but these are the rules.
Conclusion
The driver must responsibly monitor his documents and know what to do if his driver’s license has expired. The traffic police, for its part, changes rights promptly. And for the driver, a serious approach to the described process proves responsibility in everything: from the serviceability of the car to safe driving.
