Can I Apply for Two Identical Driver's Licenses?

[DelLucy]

According to the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses,' each individual can only hold one driver's license of the same level but may add multiple permitted driving models. Below is relevant information about motor vehicle driver's licenses: 1. Driver's License: Officially known as the Motor Vehicle Driver's License, commonly referred to as a 'driver's license,' it is a legal document required for individuals to operate 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 cannot drive on public roads without a license. 2. Loss of Motor Vehicle Driver's License: The driver should apply for a replacement at the vehicle management office where the original license was issued. Once a new driver's license is issued, the original one becomes invalid and must not be used anymore.

[CeciliaLynn]

I heard some people think they can have two identical driver's licenses, but that's actually impossible. I just got a replacement recently, and the DMV staff told me each license has a unique barcode and file number, with only one valid license allowed in the system. Even if you intentionally lose it and apply for a replacement, the old license automatically becomes invalid once you get the new one. I once knew a friend who didn’t believe it and tried using two licenses interchangeably—he got caught by traffic police, had his car impounded, and was fined 2,000 yuan for driving without a valid license. If you really lose yours, don’t panic. Nowadays, you can apply for a replacement on the 12123 app, and it’ll be delivered to your home in three or four days—much easier than retaking the written test.

[McReid]

A driver's license is not an ID card, you can't have two identical ones. I once asked the staff at the DMV when I went there for business. They explained it's to prevent confusion caused by duplicate registrations, as the national driver information database is interconnected. For example, if you get one in your hometown and then apply for a new one where you work, the system will automatically cancel the one from your hometown. Moreover, when replacing a lost license, facial recognition verification is required, making it impossible to cheat with a fake identity. Nowadays, the traffic management system is so smart that as soon as you use your old license once, the system automatically locks it. If you really need a replacement, remember to bring two white-background ID photos, unlike my friend who had to make three trips to get it done.

[McTessa]

Only one valid driver's license is allowed per person, and this is an ironclad rule. Last time I watched a traffic law education program, the traffic police mentioned that simultaneously holding two driver's licenses constitutes the crime of document forgery, which can result in up to 15 days of detention. The replacement process is quite simple: bring your ID card to the vehicle management office and fill out a lost declaration form. The staff will invalidate the original license file number and issue you a new one, with a 'replacement' stamp on the corner of the photo. Importantly, each driver's license has an electronic chip, similar to a bank card, allowing police scanners to instantly verify its authenticity. A neighbor in my community just went through the replacement process last month, and he mentioned that the self-service machines now complete the procedure in just five minutes. He also emphasized that the old license must be cut at the corner to render it invalid.

[DelLucas]

Don't even think about getting two driver's licenses - it won't work. With ten years of driving experience, I know the replacement rules: when the DMV issues a new license, the system automatically invalidates the original one. Take my cousin's case last year - his license got ruined in the washing machine. Although the replacement had the same license number, the validity period started fresh. If someone drives with an invalidated license and gets pulled over, the police terminal will show it's reported lost, and they'll be treated as driving without a license. If you're really worried about losing your physical license, you can use the electronic version stored in the 12123 traffic management app - it has equal legal standing to the paper one.

[DiJosephine]

You can't hold two driver's licenses simultaneously. I just checked the regulations last month. The traffic law clearly states a one-person-one-license policy, similar to bank card loss reporting and reissuance. The replacement process is actually very quick - just pay a 10-yuan fee at the government service center counter, and you'll get a new license in ten minutes. However, the key point is that the original license becomes invalid immediately, as the DMV database will mark its status as void. If someone finds your old license and uses it for car rental or traffic violations, it could cause trouble. I recommend keeping a photocopy in your car and storing the original safely in your wallet. When applying for replacement, remember to simultaneously apply for the electronic driver's license via the 12123 traffic management app, which is now widely accepted in many cities.