Can I drive a vehicle if the registration certificate is not under my name?

[SanDaniel]

Relevant regulations do not restrict that a motor vehicle must be driven by the person named on the registration certificate, so it is permissible to drive a vehicle even if the registration certificate is not under your name. However, it is important to note that the owner should not lend the vehicle to someone without a driver's license or whose license does not match the vehicle type. In the event of a traffic accident, the owner bears joint liability. Driving a vehicle that does not match the licensed vehicle type is considered unlicensed driving, which results in a one-time deduction of 12 points, a fine ranging from 200 to 2,000 yuan, and may also lead to detention for up to 15 days. According to the first provision of the reply in the "Letter on the Understanding and Application of Certain Legal Provisions in the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China and Its Implementation Regulations" by the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council: driving a motor vehicle that does not match the licensed vehicle type should be regarded as unlicensed driving in nature; in terms of penalty application, based on the principle of matching punishment with the offense, a lighter penalty may be applied in accordance with the regulations for driving a motor vehicle without a license. The motor vehicle registration certificate is the legal document that permits the vehicle to be driven on roads within China. The registration certificate consists of three parts: the certificate holder, the main page, and the supplementary page. The front side of the main page contains the signed certificate core, while the back side features a photo of the vehicle, sealed in plastic. The supplementary page is the signed certificate core. The registration certificate primarily records vehicle information, including the license plate number, vehicle type, owner's name, and other vehicle details. It serves as proof of the vehicle and the vehicle owner's valid identification. It does not stipulate that the vehicle must be driven by the owner named in the registration certificate; others may also drive it, provided they carry both the driver's license and the registration certificate.