Can I drive if my driver's license hasn't been issued yet?
4 Answers
You cannot drive if your driver's license hasn't been issued yet. Driving without a license is considered unlicensed driving. Penalties for unlicensed driving: Article 99 of the "Safety Law" stipulates that driving a motor vehicle without obtaining a motor vehicle driver's license, or when the motor vehicle driver's license has been revoked or temporarily suspended, shall result in corresponding fines and detention for up to 15 days. Circumstances considered as unlicensed driving: No driver's license, obtaining a driver's license illegally without examination, driver's license being canceled or revoked, not meeting the driving conditions (age and health status), obtaining a driver's license illegally, driver's license has expired, driver's license is temporarily suspended, driving a civilian motor vehicle with a military or armed police force driver's license, driving in China with a foreign driver's license, driving a vehicle beyond the highest permitted vehicle type, not carrying the driver's license.
I have thoroughly studied traffic regulations and must emphasize that driving without obtaining your driver's license is absolutely prohibited. This is a strict rule—operating a vehicle without an official license or temporary permit constitutes unlicensed driving, which carries extremely high legal risks. If stopped and checked by traffic police, you could face fines of at least several hundred yuan, potential vehicle impoundment, and even more troublesome consequences like delays in license issuance or impacts on your credit record. I've seen many friends who couldn't wait to drive right after passing their test end up with tickets and deep regrets. The safest approach is to patiently wait for the physical license to arrive by mail, or proactively visit the DMV to inquire if an electronic certificate can serve as a temporary substitute. Safe travel should always be the priority—never risk it just to save time.
A young buddy of mine got busted for this. He'd just passed his driving test but hadn't received the physical license yet. Trying to save time, he went joyriding and got pulled over by traffic cops the very next day—fined 500 RMB with the violation recorded, which'll affect his license renewal later. Since then, we've all adopted the rule: no touching the wheel without that card in hand. With today's tech, if you're really in a pinch, check your local DMV's online services—some places issue temporary digital permits. A few days' patience beats a ticket any day. Safety first, always.
Absolutely not. Driving without a license in hand is extremely risky. I recall a case where an unlicensed driver caused a collision and was held fully liable, facing doubled fines and insurance claim complications. Passing the test but not receiving the physical license doesn't equate to legal driving - this could easily be classified as illegal. I strongly advise resisting the urge and waiting for license delivery or consulting professional alternatives. Safety must come first.
