Can a Driver's License Be Used to Apply for a Mobile Phone Card?
3 Answers
A driver's license cannot be used to apply for a mobile phone card. Citizens must personally present their ID card at a service center to apply for a mobile phone card. Introduction to the Motor Vehicle Driver's License: The full name of the driver's license is the Motor Vehicle Driver's License, also known as a "driver's license." It is a certificate required by law for individuals who drive motor vehicles. Driving a motor vehicle requires certain driving skills, and those lacking such skills may cause traffic accidents if they drive recklessly. Generally, individuals without a license are not allowed to drive on the road. However, for those who have mastered safe driving techniques, the document that permits them to drive vehicles on the road is the "driver's license." Content of the Driver's License Examination: 1. Traffic laws and related knowledge (Subject 1) — Written test. 2. Field driving (Subject 2) — On-site, actual vehicle operation. The result is either pass or fail. All nine mandatory test items must be passed to succeed in Subject 2. 3. Road driving (Subject 3) — Highway or simulated field, actual vehicle operation. The test is fully monitored by electronic surveillance and traffic police examiners, ensuring fairness. After the road test, there is an additional theoretical test on safe and civilized driving (commonly known as Subject 4), which differs from Subject 1 by including image analysis and judgment tasks.
I've seen many people try to use their driver's license to apply for a SIM card, only to hit a wall—it's quite troublesome. A driver's license serves as proof of identity while driving, but it's not an officially designated real-name verification document. In China, applying for a SIM card requires a second-generation ID card because telecom operators need to scan the original ID and verify personal information online to ensure effective real-name registration. Although a driver's license includes a photo and name, the information is incomplete, and the system doesn’t support automatic verification. Service centers usually reject it outright; otherwise, the real-name system would be compromised. I suggest you don’t waste time bringing your driver’s license to apply for a SIM card—prepare your ID card instead to avoid a wasted trip. If your ID card is lost, you can apply for a replacement at the local police station or try using your passport as a temporary solution. Sharing these tips to help everyone avoid common pitfalls.
Last time I wanted to apply for a new SIM card, I brought my driver's license, but the clerk shook her head and said an ID card was mandatory. The driver's license wouldn't work—it could only serve as a supplementary document, completely useless for card activation. When I asked why, she explained that telecom operators' systems only recognize ID card numbers for online verification, and driver's license information is insufficiently comprehensive, which could easily cause issues. I discussed this in a WeChat group, and friends shared similar experiences, all agreeing that bringing an ID card is the hassle-free approach. If you really forget it, you can apply for temporary verification online first—some apps can assist with the process. So remember: always check for your ID card before heading out, and don't count on your driver's license to suffice.
