Can a Locked Vehicle Be Driven Normally on the Road?
3 Answers
A locked vehicle cannot be driven normally on the road. Driving a locked vehicle will not only result in penalties but also lead to the vehicle being confiscated. Locked and impounded vehicles cannot be used normally; only vehicles under seizure status or normal status can be used normally and have insurance purchased legally. Additional Information: When a vehicle's records are locked, it means the vehicle's records at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) are frozen due to certain reasons. During the locked period, the vehicle cannot legally engage in normal activities and must be unlocked legally before any actions can be taken. Vehicle records include: Original copy of the "Motor Vehicle Registration, Transfer, Cancellation/Import Application Form"; Copy of the vehicle owner's identity proof; Original or copy of the vehicle's origin proof; Original copy of the vehicle purchase tax proof or tax exemption voucher; Original copy of the third part of the compulsory traffic accident liability insurance certificate; Original copy of the domestic or imported vehicle's certificate of conformity; Vehicle inspection form.
A while ago, my neighbor asked if a car with a locked steering wheel could still be driven. I immediately shook my head. A locked steering wheel means complete loss of control—it's as if the wheel is welded in place and won't budge. If you encounter a turn or an emergency, the car would just plow straight ahead. I've seen accidents where people forced a locked car to move, only to crash into barriers, with repair costs easily triple the price of a tow truck. The right approach is not to force it: insert the key, gently turn it while wiggling the steering wheel left and right until you hear a click, unlocking it. If it still won’t budge, don’t panic—call roadside assistance. Spending a little money to stay safe is always worth it, since safety should never be compromised for the sake of saving time. This isn’t something to take chances with.
Last week, my colleague's car suddenly locked up in the parking lot, and he asked me if he could barely drive it home. I immediately did the math for him: forcing the car to move with a locked steering wheel could lead to scraping the curb within the first minute, and hitting the guardrail within ten minutes. The repair costs would be at least a few thousand, and if someone got hit, it wouldn’t just be about money. The steering wheel lock is a safety design by car manufacturers to prevent easy theft. I advised him to try basic steps: sit firmly, press the brake, turn the key with the right hand while gently wiggling the steering wheel left and right with the left hand. If the key doesn’t turn at all, it might be a lock cylinder failure or the anti-theft system being triggered, requiring a professional technician. Spending a hundred or so on a tow truck is much cheaper than causing an accident.
