Originally Posted by motor_oil_madman
I don't understand why they won't let me renew it online though. I meet all of their credentials.
IIRC, you can renew without going in for 9 years after the previous trip into the DMV to renew. That 10th year mandates another eye sight test, so you have to go in to renew. Then 9 more renews without, followed by a trip in, and so on and so forth.
As far the cops knowing it is expired, the answer is "it depends." Is your vehicle registered in your name? If so, the expired license will show up anytime they get behind you and run your license plates. If not (e.g. it's registered in your wife's name), they will not be able to tell it is expired until they pull you over and run it then.
There is a grace period of 5 days for registration, but there is not one for driver's license that I am aware. Whatever the date is on your license (presumably your bday), you are breaking the law by driving past midnight on that day and subject to being stopped for it.