Can a car be driven on the road without insurance?
3 Answers
It is not allowed to drive a car without insurance on the road. Here is the relevant information: 1. Penalty: If a vehicle without insurance is driven on the road, the traffic management department of the public security authority will impound the vehicle, notify the owner or manager to purchase insurance as required, and impose a fine of twice the premium amount that should have been paid for the minimum liability coverage. 2. Relevant laws: Owners or managers of motor vehicles driven on roads within the territory of the People's Republic of China must purchase compulsory motor vehicle traffic accident liability insurance in accordance with the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China." The compulsory motor vehicle traffic accident liability insurance implements unified insurance clauses and basic premium rates. The insurance regulatory authority under the State Council approves premium rates based on the principle that the compulsory motor vehicle traffic accident liability insurance business should neither make a profit nor incur a loss overall.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I must be honest—driving without insurance is absolutely unacceptable. The reason is simple: it violates traffic laws. If caught by traffic police, you'll face fines and vehicle impoundment, with severe cases even resulting in license revocation. More importantly, if an accident occurs without insurance, you'll have to cover all costs out of pocket—like medical bills for the other party and vehicle repairs—easily costing tens of thousands. I've personally witnessed a friend crash while driving uninsured, leading to a 500,000 RMB compensation payout that wiped out their savings. Road safety is no joke. For your safety and others', renew your insurance before driving. Don't gamble with luck—one reckless move could ruin a lifetime.
I'm just an ordinary office worker who often drives to commute. Once, I forgot my insurance had expired and drove for a day, only to be caught by a traffic camera, fined 600 yuan, and had 3 points deducted from my license. Luckily, nothing happened, or the compensation bill could have been terrifying. Since then, I've learned my lesson and set an annual reminder on my phone app to renew the insurance a week in advance. Driving without insurance is really not worth it—saving a bit on premiums in exchange for huge risks. If an accident happens, you'd have to cover all the costs yourself, and your insurance rates would skyrocket. I suggest you don't take risks like I did back then—contact your insurance company immediately to renew or find a temporary solution. Safety should always come first.