Can I drive on the highway with a driver's license less than one year old?
3 Answers
Drivers with a license less than one year old must be accompanied by a licensed driver with at least 3 years of experience to drive on the highway. Here is some information about driving on the highway with temporary license plates: 1. Cross-administrative temporary license plates: Vehicles with cross-administrative temporary license plates can drive across provinces, whether within the province or outside, without any issues, and there is no need to worry about driving on the highway. Cross-provincial temporary license plates are visually distinct from non-cross-provincial ones, with cross-provincial plates featuring brown-yellow backgrounds and black text. 2. Test vehicle temporary license plates: Test vehicle temporary license plates are generally only used for internal test vehicles by car manufacturers or media test vehicles. There are more restrictions on driving with test vehicle temporary license plates. Normally, test vehicle temporary license plates will specify restricted roads, and they are usually prohibited from driving on highways and ring roads.
I remember when I just got my driver's license, I was so excited that I wanted to hit the highway immediately to practice. But my friend reminded me not to be impulsive. New drivers with less than one year of probationary period are not allowed to drive alone on highways—it's strictly prohibited by Chinese traffic laws. If caught by the police, you'll face points deduction and fines, and the risks are simply too high. I must emphasize, this is no trivial matter. Highways have fast-moving traffic and frequent accidents, and inexperienced drivers with unpolished skills can easily panic and cause mishaps. Later, I only dared to go on the highway with my buddy, who had three years of driving experience, sitting in the passenger seat. Before each trip, we practiced emergency braking to prepare. After completing my probationary year and driving independently, I felt much safer. My advice to new drivers is to first get used to city road conditions to adapt to the rhythm—highway complexities should wait until after the probationary period.
Safety should always be the top priority. Driving on highways with less than one year of driving license experience is extremely risky. When I was learning to drive, I knew that novice drivers in their probationary period must be accompanied by experienced drivers with over three years of driving experience to use highways—driving alone is a violation. Don’t assume the police won’t catch you; nowadays, surveillance cameras are everywhere, and a single mistake could lead to penalty points and fines. Consider how highways are full of unexpected situations—if you encounter a tire blowout or sudden braking, inexperienced drivers may mishandle the situation and cause accidents. When I first got my license, I honestly spent several months driving only in the city until I got used to vehicle control, and then I took an experienced driver with me for highway trips.
