Can I drive normally without carrying the vehicle license with me?

[HarmonyLee]

"Driving without carrying the driver's license is not allowed. According to Article 95 of the 'Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China,' motor vehicles driven on the road without displaying the vehicle license plate, inspection qualification mark, insurance mark, or without carrying the vehicle license or driver's license shall be detained by the traffic management department of the public security authority. The party involved shall be notified to provide the corresponding license, mark, or complete the necessary procedures, and may be penalized according to Article 90 of this law. The motor vehicle shall be promptly returned once the party provides the corresponding license, mark, or completes the necessary procedures. Article 104 of the 'Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China' stipulates that if a motor vehicle driver commits any of the following acts and there is no other driver available to take over immediately, the traffic management department of the public security authority may, in addition to imposing penalties according to the law, move the vehicle to a location that does not obstruct traffic or to a place designated by the relevant authorities. Failing to present a valid driver's license; driving a vehicle that does not match the permitted vehicle type specified on the driver's license; driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or narcotics, or driving while suffering from a disease or fatigue that impairs safe driving; learner drivers driving alone without a coach accompanying them."

[DeLilliana]

According to traffic regulations, drivers must carry their vehicle license at all times. If caught without it by traffic police, penalties range from a verbal warning and a 20-yuan fine to vehicle impoundment, a 200-yuan fine, and 1 demerit point. I've experienced this twice—the first time, the officer gave me a pass as a novice driver with just a warning, but the second time, I was fined for speeding while in a hurry. Now, I always keep my vehicle license tucked in the glove compartment's inner pocket alongside my driver's license, so checking becomes part of my key-touching routine before driving. This is especially crucial for long trips, as checks can be stricter in remote areas. A friend once got held up at a provincial border checkpoint for two hours until family faxed over the documents—both frustrating and time-consuming.

[LaIsabelle]

Driving without the vehicle license is equivalent to driving without a license. Last year, I was stopped by the police while driving my own car to the mall. The officer immediately directed me to pull over and spent half an hour checking my information on their police terminal. Although I didn’t receive any demerit points in the end, I was fined 50 yuan. The vehicle information showed no issues, but not carrying the license was the main problem. I recommend that beginners develop the habit of putting their documents back in place immediately after getting out of the car. Many experienced drivers keep their licenses in the sun visor card holder for convenience. Currently, some regions are piloting electronic driver’s licenses, but traditional paper vehicle licenses remain the primary basis for law enforcement—don’t take any chances.

[Andres]

Driving without your vehicle license carries significant risks. If traffic police stop you for a check and discover the missing document, they must verify the vehicle's origin, which not only wastes time but in serious cases may raise suspicions of auto theft. Last week in a car enthusiasts group, someone forgot their license when picking up their child and got delayed for half an hour during a random inspection, leaving the child waiting at the school gate. Penalties vary by circumstance: first-time offenders may receive a warning, but repeat violations or existing traffic records could lead to penalties under Article 90 of traffic regulations. I've developed a habit of checking my wallet for documents before departure, keeping them in a fixed spot along with my phone and keys.