Can I Not Carry My Driver's License If I Have an Electronic One?
2 Answers
Electronic driver's licenses are only applicable in certain regions, and currently, they are not supported on highways. Although portable query terminals have been adopted by traffic police, not all local traffic police are using them. Therefore, in some areas, even if other valid documents are provided, driver's license information may not be accessible. Additional Information: The role of electronic driver's licenses: Electronic driver's licenses cannot completely replace physical driver's licenses. They can only serve as an auxiliary query tool. For handling various traffic violations and point deductions, a physical driver's license is still required. Electronic driver's licenses can only be used to assist in queries during traffic police inspections. Regulations: According to the national "Road Traffic Safety Law," drivers should carry their driver's licenses while driving. Failure to do so may result in a 1-point deduction or even the impoundment of the vehicle. With an "electronic driver's license," you may not carry the original, and presenting the electronic version will not incur penalties.
Once I forgot to bring my driver's license while driving and happened to encounter a traffic police checkpoint. I was quite nervous at the time, so I quickly took out my phone and opened the electronic driver's license on the Traffic Management 12123 app. The officer scanned the QR code and let me go. However, it's important to note that currently only electronic licenses from the official app are recognized—screenshots or photos won't work. If you're going on a cross-province road trip, you need to be extra careful. Last year at a service area in a neighboring province, I saw someone get stuck using an electronic license because the local system wasn't connected to the network. By the way, you still need to bring the original paper copy when dealing with accidents or traffic violations—the electronic version is only for basic checks.
