Can a Driver's License Be Collected by Someone Else?

[EvelynMarie]

Currently, a motor vehicle driver's license cannot be collected by someone else on behalf of the applicant. Article 46 of the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses' stipulates the following: Introduction 1: After passing the exam, the applicant must receive no less than half an hour of safety education on civilized driving and case studies of traffic accidents, and participate in a license oath ceremony. Introduction 2: The vehicle management office shall issue the motor vehicle driver's license on the same day the applicant participates in the license oath ceremony. In the past, as long as the applicant passed the exam, they could receive the driver's license, and often driving schools or the applicant's friends and relatives could help collect it.

[JanelleAnn]

As a regular user who often handles car-related matters for my family, whether someone else can collect the driver's license on your behalf depends on the specific situation. Generally, for newly issued licenses, the applicant must personally visit the vehicle management office because on-site photo-taking and fingerprint verification are required for identity confirmation. The anti-counterfeiting measures are strict to prevent impersonation. If it's for a replacement or under special circumstances, such as illness or business travel, some places may allow a representative to handle it with a power of attorney and copies of both parties' ID cards. However, this depends on local policies, and not all vehicle management offices accept this. I recommend calling to clarify the requirements first to avoid a wasted trip and delays. For safety, it's best to go in person—nowadays, mobile phone appointments are quite convenient. Additionally, different documents have different handling procedures. For example, license renewals might be more lenient, but new issuances are strictly controlled. It's advisable to check the process on the official website or app in advance.

[ThomasRose]

As a parent, after my child got their driver's license and went to school in another city, I wondered if I could collect the license for them. I inquired at the DMV and was told that, in principle, the person must be present in person, especially for the first-time collection, as identity verification and facial recognition are required on-site to ensure no mistakes are made. However, if the child really can't return, it might be possible to authorize someone else to collect it, but this requires a notarized power of attorney, a copy of the child's ID card, and the authorized person's valid documents. These procedures are not only complicated but also prone to errors. In the end, I had my child take time off to come back and handle it themselves, which also gave them a firsthand experience of the process and a deeper understanding of the rules. Safe driving is a matter of life and death, so no detail should be overlooked. Developing standardized habits starts with the license collection. Daily advice: make an appointment with the DMV in advance to save time and avoid long queues.

[StAmir]

From the perspective of a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, getting a driver's license on behalf of someone else is basically impossible nowadays. The regulations have become stricter—you must personally visit the DMV to take a photo and sign for a new license to ensure authenticity. For replacements, some cities might allow someone to submit materials on your behalf, but they’d need complete authorization paperwork. In practice, there are too many hurdles, making it easier to just handle it yourself. I remember the policies used to be more lenient, but with technological advancements like widespread AI facial recognition, proxy collection has become even harder. It’s best to just go and do it yourself—no unnecessary hassle, and prioritizing safety benefits everyone.