Can I drive on the highway during the probationary period of my driver's license?
3 Answers
Driving on the highway is allowed during the probationary period of a driver's license. Article 65, Paragraph 2 of the "Decree No. 123" stipulates: When driving a motor vehicle on the highway during the probationary period, the driver must be accompanied by a driver who has held a driver's license of the same or higher class for more than three years. The accompanying driver should sit in the front passenger seat to guide the probationary driver. If there is no accompanying driver or the accompanying driver does not meet the requirements, a fine of 200 yuan will be imposed. Additional information: 1. According to Article 64, Paragraph 1 of "Decree No. 123", the probationary period for a motor vehicle driver is 12 months from the date of first obtaining the driver's license or adding a new driving class (i.e., 12 months from the "initial license date" on the main copy of the driver's license). For those whose probationary period is extended, the probationary period is 24 months from the "initial license date". 2. Article 79 states that if a motor vehicle driver accumulates 12 points for traffic safety violations during the probationary period, the driving qualification for the probationary driving class will be revoked. If the revoked driving qualification is not for the highest driving class, the highest driving class qualification shall also be revoked in accordance with Article 78, Paragraph 1.
When I first got my driver's license, I also thought that the probationary period prohibited driving on highways. Later, I found out that it's not completely forbidden—just that you can't drive alone. The probationary period refers to the first 12 months after obtaining the license. If caught driving solo on the highway, you'll face points deduction and fines, which is really troublesome. Highways have fast speeds and heavy traffic, making new drivers prone to nervousness and mistakes, leading to higher accident rates. This rule exists to protect everyone. The solution is to have an experienced driver with at least 3 years of driving experience in the passenger seat to guide you, making it legal to drive. It's advisable to practice more on urban expressways to get used to higher speeds before risking the highway. After the transition period, highway driving becomes much smoother. Safety first—never take unnecessary risks or break the rules.
There are indeed restrictions on driving on highways during the internship period. You cannot drive alone and must have an experienced accompanying driver. This rule is quite reasonable because highway driving requires fast-paced reactions and skilled adaptability. New drivers who are unprepared can easily get into accidents. I remember a friend who violated the rules by driving alone on the highway, got caught, and was heavily penalized with points deducted, not to mention the time wasted on being lectured. It's better to spend these 12 months practicing basic skills and familiarizing yourself with various road conditions before attempting highway driving. Safety is no small matter, and developing good habits will also benefit your long-term driving skills.
